Welcome to Discover the Levels

Environmentally-friendly ways to explore the wetlands and villages in the heart of Somerset

Welcome to the website for Discover the Levels, a new venture set up to encourage people to explore and enjoy the true nature of the Somerset Levels and Moors.

This website is intended to provide you with information about the Levels and Moors, and suggest environmentally-friendly ways that you can explore this wonderful area, discovering for yourself the real character of the Somerset Levels.

Here the land has been reclaimed from the sea and marshes over many centuries. The low-lying landscape is immensely rich in wildlife and history, being farmed for many generations by local people.

The Levels and Moors are ideal for exploring at a slow and gentle pace. Get close to nature and take time to meet those who look after the area, its distinct landscape and villages. There are many opportunities to discover the area on foot, by bike or riding, or even by boat on the Canal. Explore the villages, resting a while in the local pubs and cafes to taste the delicious local food and drink.

Quiet and peaceful, the Somerset Levels and Moors are a wetland gem just waiting to be explored. So why not discover for yourself the places, people, and moments to treasure on the Somerset Levels and Moors…

The site is currently under development, so you may find gaps in the information at this stage. Please visit us again in the near future to see how we are progressing. Your comments on the use and value of the website will be welcome.

Current events on the Levels and Moors…

1-30 October - Somerset Apple Project Exhibition at Friends Meeting House, IlminsterExhibition arising from poet James Crowden’s and artist Kate Lynch’s pioneering work with five Somerset schools and local apple farms, which introduced children to the value of apple farming today and the heritage in Somerset’s orchards.

21-30 October - Mendip Food and Drink FestivalThe 2005 Festival has many events across the Mendip District to celebrate the array of food and drink grown, produced and served in the area.

Winter wildfowl & Starling roost walk with RSPB, with hot refresments at Meare Manor - Wednesday 16 November, 4 - 6pmCome on a walk with the RSPB Reserve Staff to see flocks of winter wildfowl and the spectacular Starling roost of millions of birds, followed by delicious soup, homemade cookies and hot drinks at Meare Manor. Price £4.95 pp. Booking is essential by calling Meare Manor on 01458 860449

Winter wildfowl & Starling roost walk with RSPB, with hot refresments at Meare Manor - Sunday 27 November, 4 - 6pmCome on a walk with the RSPB Reserve Staff to see flocks of winter wildfowl and the spectacular Starling roost of millions of birds, followed by delicious soup, homemade cookies and hot drinks at Meare Manor. Price £4.95 pp. Booking is essential by calling Meare Manor on 01458 860449

Winter Starling & Bittern roost walk with RSPB, with hot refresments at Meare Manor - Wednesday 14 December, 3.30 - 5pm
A chance to see millions of wintering Starlings come in to roost amongst the reedbeds at RSPB’s Ham Wall Nature Reserve, with the possibility of catching a glimpse of the secretative Bittern too! Followed by delicious soup, homemade cookies and hot drinks at Meare Manor.
Price £4.95 pp. Booking is essential by calling Meare Manor on 01458 860449

News

Shapwick National Nature Reserve - new Discovery Trail
English Nature are building a new Discovery Trail for visitors to the nature reserve. When completed the new Trail will be an easy access circular route of about one kilometre from the car park on the Ashcott Road. The Discovery Trail will be surfaced with a boardwalk made from recycled plastic. About 300 metres of the Trail will be completed this year.

Discover the Levels website under developement
As you will see, the new Discover the Levels website is taking shape. It will take a little time to get it all up and running but we hope you will keep returning to the site to see our progress. We hope the site will be a key source of information about events in the Levels and Moors.

Many thanks to the webmaster, Rob Bradford, who has put in all the hard work in designing and developing the website.