Withial Combe Nature Reserve

Tucked away just five miles east of Glastonbury, Withial Combe is a quiet 10-hectare nature reserve managed by the Somerset Wildlife Trust. The site is centred around a steep-sided, ancient wooded ravine dominated by ash, oak, hazel, and field maple, alongside two wildflower-rich meadows.

At the western end of the reserve, where two streams merge, a small waterfall creates a humid microclimate ideal for ferns, mosses, and lichens.

The woodland is home to a rich variety of small bird species, including chaffinches, great tits, blue tits, nuthatches, treecreepers, jays, and song thrushes. You might spot a tiny wren darting through the undergrowth or hear the distinctive drumming of a great spotted woodpecker high in the canopy. In summer, chiffchaffs and blackcaps can be heard calling as they breed among the trees, and there is small rookery in the upper branches.

Near the streams and below the waterfall, look out for dippers and grey wagtails, while the meadows attract greenfinches, goldfinches, and lesser whitethroats. Pheasants and stock doves are often seen along the woodland edges.

Several paths wind through the reserve, but they can be narrow, uneven, or overgrown in places. Some areas have steep, unprotected drops and can become slippery in wet conditions, so care is advised.
There is no designated car park, but a small verge on the lane at the eastern end of the reserve offers limited space for one or two vehicles.

Please note, well-behaved dogs are welcome on the reserve, but must be kept under effective control.