Love Somerset, Love Nature Love Somerset, Love Introduction Black Rock Nature Trails Long Wood Nature Trail Velvet Bottom Trail Situated at the heart of the Mendip Hills AONB, Somerset Wildlife There are two circular nature trails to follow in Black Rock reserve. This circular walk (1 km) is way-marked in green with numbered This linear walk leads 1.7km (3.4km return) from Black Rock Trust’s Cheddar Complex comprises three individual nature Both the short trail (1.6 km) and the long trail (2.4 km) are way- stops at points of interest. nature reserve, through Velvet Bottom nature reserve, to reserves each with its own unique character and wildlife. All of marked with numbered stops at points of interest and begin at the 1.1 Charterhouse and Ubley Warren nature reserve. the nature reserves are Sites of Special Scientific Interest which reserve entrance. Follow the green marker posts for the short trail provides protection to the plants and animals found there. and the red marker posts for the long trail. Hedgehog Award – Use the map to lead your group The trail follows the path at the bottom of a long dry valley which around the Long Wood nature trail. has been associated with lead mining since pre-Roman times. www.wildlifewatch.org.uk Black Rock nature reserve is managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust 1.1 1 The remains of this industrial past can still be seen amongst the on behalf of the National Trust, who purchased the site in 1971. From the start of the trail near the reserve entrance follow the path From the reserve entrance follow the path to stop1. The restored grassland and woodland which has recolonized the site since the The Wildlife Watch Hedgehog Award is a simple and fun It consists of 74 hectares (182 acres) of flower rich limestone uphill to stop 1. From here you may still be able to see some of the limekiln was built in 1929 whilst there was still active quarrying lead working ceased in the 1880’s. way to earn an award while exploring nature in different grassland, woodland & rock outcrops at the head of Cheddar stumps that are all that remains of the trees felled in 1948 when the taking place on site. It was used to heat the quarried limestone rock ways. See if you can complete the eight wildlife activities Gorge. woodland was cleared and replanted with beech. Somerset Wildlife The south facing slopes at the western end of the reserve have along with coal or charcoal to produce lime. This was used either whilst walking the nature trails; when you have completed Trust is gradually restoring the wood back to the original mix of many rock outcrops and thin soils which allow flower rich them all fill out the form below and send it to Somerset Long Wood nature reserve is as building mortar or was spread on the surrounding fields of the trees, principally ash, oak and field maple with hazel under-storey. In grasslands to flourish, including species such as rock stonecrop, Wildlife Trust and you’ll get a Hedgehog Award certificate. one of Somerset Wildlife Trust’s plateau to prevent the soil from turning more acidic. areas where beech trees have been removed the extra light allows harebell and carline thistle. oldest nature reserves having Opposite the limekiln is a dry-stone wall that is typical of those woodland plants and butterflies such as the silver washed fritillary to If you are happy for us to contact you by e-mail please add been leased from Bristol There are two small caves alongside the valley path, Timber Hole found across the Mendip landscape. This wall was rebuilt by flourish. Follow the path bearing right up the slope. your e-mail address below. Water in 1969, until it was & Hangover Hole, which have gated entrances in order to protect volunteers at an average pace of three metres per day. If you look purchased in 1998. The reserve 2. the underground environment from disturbance. closely at the wall you should be able to find lichens, mosses and 2 ................................................................................................................................ consists of 17 hectares (42 ferns including the rare limestone fern. At the top of the slope near the wooden bench is stop 2. You may As you walk through the reserve you will encounter a series acres) of ancient semi-natural be able to see fossils in the rocks of the dry-stone wall, including of dams and levels left over from the lead mining operations. Name: ....................................................................................................... Hedgehog Award – Whilst exploring the nature trails, woodland and a small area of sea-lillies (Crinoids), molluscs and corals. This is evidence that the They were designed to help prevent the contamination of the take photos of the different wildlife you spot. Address: ....................................................................................................... species rich grassland known underlying limestone rock was formed in a clear tropical sea around local water supply by allowing the harmful lead sediments to as the Orchid Slope. The Further along the path is the former quarry where it is possible to 300 million years ago in the carboniferous era. settle out of the water. The remaining high lead level reduces ....................................................................................................... history of the woodland can see a section through the underlying limestone strata of the area. the species diversity on these levels. The bracken growing at Hedgehog Award – Look at the stones in the be traced back as far as the The vertical ‘joints’ drain rainwater away quickly into underground the edge of the level areas contains the unusual plant, meadow boundary wall, can you spot any fossils? Please do Postcode: ....................................................................................................... 13th Century. streams and rivers which form caves and tunnels. This is the reason saffron. In September the leaves of the plant die back leaving not remove any stones from the wall. only the pink crocus like flowers on display. The plant contains a Velvet Bottom nature reserve that the valley bottom is dry except at times of very heavy rainfall Return to: Somerset Wildlife Trust, lies on the floor of a dry river when the valley floods. Follow the path beyond the quarry to a Long wood is at its best in spring when the bluebells and wild garlic poison called Colchicine. 34 Wellington Road valley and is long and narrow in shape. Most of the stone stile in the wall on your right. make a striking contrast of colours. You may also see smaller patches Below the small woodland at the northern edge of the reserve Taunton reserve can be seen from the main path. The 17 hectare (42 acre) of wood anemone and yellow archangel. From here follow the path Somerset 2.2 2 are the remains of the buildings used to smelt the lead ore, it is reserve is mostly rough grassland with small areas of woodland north alongside the boundary wall. difficult to imagine the bleak industrial landscape that would TA1 5AW & scrub. The reserve has a long history of lead mining and there Stop 2 is at the stone stile. Take a look at the south facing slope 3.3 have existed at this spot when the lead works were in operation. is still much evidence to be found of the site’s industrial heritage. opposite, this species rich grassland has many plants adapted to There is an extensive badger sett in this area and you may be Your next challenge Velvet Bottom has been managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust survive on these dry limestone soils such as common rock rose, In the area around stop 3 wild raspberries are taking advantage able to spot their well worn paths leading through the grassland If you are aged eight and above and a member of Somerset since 1975 and was purchased from the former owners, Bristol common mikwort and wild thyme. of the increased light levels created by thinning of the woodland. to their foraging grounds. Wildlife Trust try our Kestrel award. Just tick the boxes protection to the plants and animals found there. found animals and plants the to protection There are numerous animal paths in this part of the wood; some will below to find out more. Water, in 1998. Hedgehog Award – Look carefully in the grassland, see of Special Scientific Interest which provides provides which Interest Scientific Special of lead to ‘badger gates’ built into the walls. The path descends to a T The areas of bare ground that the path crosses are mounds of There are way-marked trails to help you explore these reserves. how many different colours of flower you can find. and wildlife. All of the nature reserves are Sites Sites are reserves nature the of All wildlife. and junction, take the right hand path. lead slag, the waste material left over from the smelting process. o I am over the age of eight and a member of Somerset reserves each with its own unique character character unique own its with each reserves It takes a long time for plants to colonise these inhospitable Black Rock short nature trail is 1.6km – 3.3 3 Wildlife Trust. Please send me information about the 4.4 areas. A specialised community of plants including spring The Complex comprises three individual nature nature individual three comprises Complex The follow the green way-marked posts from Black rock entrance. Once over the stile you will begin to climb uphill towards an area Kestrel Award On the right hand side of the path at stop 4 is Long Wood swallet. sandwort, alpine pennycress & bladder campion are able to of thorny scrub & grassland at stop 3. Here you may spot butterflies o Black Rock long nature trail is 2.4km – The stream which flows underground here will finally emerge at the tolerate the difficult conditions and gain a foothold.