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26. Prior's Wood
Grid ref: ST490 745/ Area: 62 hectares
Avon's best bluebell woodland, a walk into Prior's
Wood will be rewarded with much more than a spectacular
view of Britain's favourite woodland flower. Ancient
woodland, streams and plantations can all be found
in this wildlife-rich wood.
How to get there
We encourage visitors to use environmentally
friendly forms of transport wherever possible. Most
of our reserves are easily accessible by bicycle, with
many close to the National Cycle Network. Click
here to view a location map of the reserve on the National
Cycle Network website. Alternatively, from Portbury
take the Clapton-in-Gordano road, parking on the
lay-by on the right just after passing the last house
in Portbury Village. Walk back to the gated lane
turning onto a track that leads into the woodland
Access
Some of the paths can be muddy, slippery and
steep-sided. Keep to the best-used paths.
Wildlife and conservation
The woodland cloaks part
of the Carboniferous limestone ridge that runs from
Clevedon to Failand. Within much of the area ancient
woodland is dominant with small-leaved lime trees,
oak and hazel being abundant. In places mature sweet
chestnut reach high into the canopy. In most places
bluebell is abundant but it is the southern and western
parts of the wood where carpets of this beautiful plant
turn the woodland floor blue in the Spring.
The wood is also very good for birds including buzzard,
garden warbler and chiffchaff. Spotted flycatcher is
also recorded in most years. Bats also roost in the
trees, and the presence of many setts indicates a large
badger population.
Areas of the wood will be thinned and coppiced to
encourage flowers, butterflies and birds. The ride
will be periodically cut back and coppiced to prevent
it growing over.
Other points of interest
There is evidence of iron
age farming with many level terraces through the northern
part of the wood.
Further information
This site was purchased from the Children's
Hospice South West with support from Viridor and YANSEC,
local parish councils and donations from members
and local people.
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