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Clapton Moor
View of reserve
for wetland wildlife and Gordano Valley views

Set within the Gordano Valley, Clapton Moor is characteristic of the N Somerset Levels landscape. Networked with species-rich rhynes, (watery ditches) the moor is important for its breeding waders and wintering wildfowl.

What to look out for

During the spring and summer the wet fields of the moor attract breeding lapwing, redshank and snipe. Buzzard, peregrine and hobby have been recorded over the reserve, the latter often chasing some of the many swallows, martins and swifts that feed over the grassland.

Barn owl feeding corridors (areas of long grass with a large population of small rodents) have been created along the boundaries of the most southerly fields to attract this secretive bird of prey back to the area.

The grassland areas are kept wet by water level control structures in the rhynes, allowing the site to maintain a high water table during the summer months. During the winter the reserve is deliberately flooded to attract flocks of wildfowl and waders.

The rhynes are full of many rare plants such as frogbit, greater spearwort and fen pondweed. Look out for hairy dragonfly and ruddy darter.

Further information

This site was purchased and managed through support from Heritage Lottery Fund, YANSEC, Countryside Agency, Alan Evans Memorial Trust, Ritchie Charitable Trust and public donation.

Access

Access is restricted to the path that leads to the hide, which gives excellent views over the moor.

 

  Getting there by
Bike View a location map of the reserve on the National Cycle Network website.
Public transport Go to www.traveline.org.uk
Car

At Clapton-in-Gordano take Clevedon Lane towards Clevedon. After two miles the entrance to the reserve is on the right-hand side opposite the entrance to New Farm. Parking is restricted. Please do not park and block any farm or field entrances.

 
Further information
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Maps
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reserve map
Reserve map National Cycle Network
Location details
 Grid ref
 ST 461 733
 Area  39.7 hectares
Clapton Circuit Virtual Tour

A circular walk links the nature reserve to the village of Clapton-in-Gordano. Find out more about the history and wildlife of the area and take a virtual tour of the Gordano Valley. You can also download a circuit guide to take with you on the walk.

go to Virtual Tour

Ways into wildlife

Lower Woods is one of our Top 10 nature reserves!

Download a detailed walk for this reserve here (PDF).

Download the full Top 10 Reserves Guide (PDF).