Venue Description

The ancient oaks of Swell Wood are part of a continuous strip of woodland extending some 10 miles (15 km) along the ridge from Langport to the Blackdown Hills. Between March and June nesting herons and little egrets provide our largest wildlife spectacle. Spring brings a carpet of bluebells to the woodland and in the autumn with the right conditions it is possible to see a fantastic fungi display. While throughout the year woodland birds such as nuthatches, woodpeckers and treecreepers can be seen feeding at the bird feeders in the car park. There are no toilet or refreshment facilities available at the reserve. This reserve is unstaffed.

Accessibility

Car Park - The main car park is small (25 spaces) with a larger extension attached at the back. The disabled space is 190 cm wide. - There are gates on the car park extension and they may be closed at times reducing the number of spaces available. - There is a 2 meter height barrier at the entrance of the car park Nature Trails - The Woodland Trail is 900metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. There are exposed tree roots and it has an uneven, undulating, compact dirt surface. After wet weather the trail can be muddy in places. Only part of the trail is suitable for wheels - this is marked by signage. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats. The trail is 110 cm wide at its narrowest to the picnic area, after the picnic area the trail is 100 cm wide at its narrowest. - The Scarp Trail is 1800metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. The Scarp Trail runs through the sloping woodland on the opposite side of the road from the RSPB Swell Wood car park. The Scarp Trail has almost 400 steps (at our count across the whole trail), runs up and down the side of the hill, and is unsuitable for wheels. The trail is an uneven, compact dirt path with loose surface litter and is very steep in places. There can be encroaching vegetation hanging over or growing at the sides of the path. At it's narrowest the path is 40 cm with sloping drops from the side of the path. After wet weather the path can be very muddy. There are piles of fallen logs off of the side of the path in places. - The Meadow Trail is 1650metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. Obstacles along the trail include exposed tree roots and stumps, sharp inclines, narrow paths, uneven surfaces, mud, over hanging branches and tree roots. There may be occasions where trees have fallen across the path and not been cleared yet. The Meadow Trail is a there and back trail running down the steep wooded hillside from the Woodland Trail to Fivehead Meadow. A circular route of about 2 miles can be created by using the network of public footpaths to return to Swell Wood Car Park. Viewing Areas Heronry Hide - There is level access to the hide from the car park. The path is a flat compact dirt and gravel path through the woodland with a loose gravel surface. The light is dappled and there can be overhanging vegetation. The path to the hide is 1200mm wide, or more. The entrance to the hide is 1050mm wide. Inside the Hide the front is lowered on the right hand side to create a viewing area for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. The top of this shelf is 60 cm off of the ground. Other shelves in the hide are 80 cm off of the ground. There are three wooden benches in the hide. All of the benches have backs but no arms. The long bench at the rear of the hide has an angled back to increase ease and comfort of viewing nesting herons in the tree tops. There is a gap of 67 cm between the rows of benches.

Toilets

There are no toilet facilities at this reserve.

Staff

This reserve is not staffed. You may see members of the team completing conservation work occasionally. They are happy to help - just ask!

Assistance dog facilities

Other assistance dog facilities

Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve. Dogs on leads are welcome on the Scarp Trail section of the nature reserve. Please note this trail is not suitable for wheels. Dogs can die in hot cars, please do not leave your dog in the car when visiting us. Dogs are not permitted on the Woodland Trail, Meadow Trail or into the Heronry hide other than assistance dogs.