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Longleat Park.Famous for its House and Safari Park there are many walks around the wider Estate and the grounds around the house are free to enter off peak (please contact Longleat for more details).
Species.
The conifer plantations have siskin especially in Autumn/Winter and if very lucky the odd serin may turn up. Common Crossbills and Firecrest are resident though difficult to find. The walk from Heavens Gate across dertley plain and onto Shearwater can be productive. Good chances of Fritillary butterflies around the park.
Multimap Link.
Designated a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) in 1956, Vallis is also a nationally important site for Geological study.
By Car:
Approached from Frome via A362, right after half a mile down Elm Road where a small car parking area can be found.
Walks.
The fields around the car park are favourite hunting grounds for Little Owls especially in Spring, Summer. Yellowhammers are regular and Brambling have been seen in winter although very rarely. Whitethroats are occassional visitors. Skylarks can reach good numbers on the higher Fields. From the car park a walk follows the river along the vale past the remains of 18th Century lime kilns, past the hamlet of Bedlam and on to the Bridge at Great Elm. The river can be followed all the way to Mells from here. Dippers and kingfisher breed along this stretch of the river. Kestrel and Sparrowhawk also breed in the surrounding woodland. Spotted Flycatchers can be seen nearer to Great Elm catching insects from May onwards. Commoner species along Vallis include - Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Coal tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Greater Spot and Green Woodpeckers.
An alternative route to Great Elm form the car park is to walk up Elm lane following the National Cycle Network (24). Mainly agricultural land good in Winter for Redwing flocks. Ravens sometimes fly over on route to the Quarries Nr Mells.
Designated a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) in 1956, Vallis is also a nationally important site for Geological study.
By Car:
Approached from Frome via A362, right after half a mile down Elm Road where a small car parking area can be found.
Walks.
The fields around the car park are favourite hunting grounds for Little Owls especially in Spring, Summer. Yellowhammers are regular and Brambling have been seen in winter although very rarely. Whitethroats are occassional visitors. Skylarks can reach good numbers on the higher Fields. From the car park a walk follows the river along the vale past the remains of 18th Century lime kilns, past the hamlet of Bedlam and on to the Bridge at Great Elm. The river can be followed all the way to Mells from here. Dippers and kingfisher breed along this stretch of the river. Kestrel and Sparrowhawk also breed in the surrounding woodland. Spotted Flycatchers can be seen nearer to Great Elm catching insects from May onwards. Commoner species along Vallis include - Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Coal tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Greater Spot and Green Woodpeckers.
An alternative route to Great Elm form the car park is to walk up Elm lane following the National Cycle Network (24). Mainly agricultural land good in Winter for Redwing flocks. Ravens sometimes fly over on route to the Quarries Nr Mells.
Multimap Link.
North of Frome, the Orchardleigh estate as it now stands was largely created in the 1850's, although the estate is over 800yrs old. Now a wedding and function venue.
By Car:
1.5 miles from Frome on the A362 Radstock road the turn off for Orchardleigh is on the right. Public parking in the grounds has not been ascertained and anyone planning a visit by car should contact Orchardleigh house (Please see links)
Walks.
From Frome via Badcox walk along vallis Rd past the Dissenters cemetary and right into Vernal lane. A stile leading to Spring Gardens is on the left 100m down. Follow the well worn dog walkers paths keeping the river and sewage works on your right and past Whatcombe farm on the left. The conifers on the left here regularly hold Goldfinch flocks and often Redpolls are amongst them. Goldcrests and coal tits are also here in numbers. This path leads over the Quarry railway (still in use so be alert for Gravel trains) and over Coalash Lane. Cross another field and turn left into the small hamlet of spring gardens from here the footpath is clear and leads up onto "The Down" an area immediately above and south of Orchardleigh. This down has occasional meadow pipits and Lesser spotted woodpeckers have been heard but rarely seen. Tawny owls are in the copses around the down. The lake regularly hosts small numbers of common waterfowl, including breeding Little and Great Crested Grebes, shovelers and Mute Swan, and wintering Tufted Duck and Pochard. In 1932 a pair of Black-necked Grebes bred at the lake, the only occasion on which this species has been recorded breeding in Somerset. Rarer species have been found occasionally: in March 1997 a drake Ring-necked Duck was present, and in September 2005 a Great White Egret occurred and most recently a passage Osprey was seen taking fish, harried by local crows.
North of Frome, the Orchardleigh estate as it now stands was largely created in the 1850's, although the estate is over 800yrs old. Now a wedding and function venue.
By Car:
1.5 miles from Frome on the A362 Radstock road the turn off for Orchardleigh is on the right. Public parking in the grounds has not been ascertained and anyone planning a visit by car should contact Orchardleigh house (Please see links)
Walks.
From Frome via Badcox walk along vallis Rd past the Dissenters cemetary and right into Vernal lane. A stile leading to Spring Gardens is on the left 100m down. Follow the well worn dog walkers paths keeping the river and sewage works on your right and past Whatcombe farm on the left. The conifers on the left here regularly hold Goldfinch flocks and often Redpolls are amongst them. Goldcrests and coal tits are also here in numbers. This path leads over the Quarry railway (still in use so be alert for Gravel trains) and over Coalash Lane. Cross another field and turn left into the small hamlet of spring gardens from here the footpath is clear and leads up onto "The Down" an area immediately above and south of Orchardleigh. This down has occasional meadow pipits and Lesser spotted woodpeckers have been heard but rarely seen. Tawny owls are in the copses around the down. The lake regularly hosts small numbers of common waterfowl, including breeding Little and Great Crested Grebes, shovelers and Mute Swan, and wintering Tufted Duck and Pochard. In 1932 a pair of Black-necked Grebes bred at the lake, the only occasion on which this species has been recorded breeding in Somerset. Rarer species have been found occasionally: in March 1997 a drake Ring-necked Duck was present, and in September 2005 a Great White Egret occurred and most recently a passage Osprey was seen taking fish, harried by local crows.
Multimap Link.
The old Frome to Radstock Railway now transformed into a walk and part of the National Cycle Network (24)
By Car:
Take the A362 Radstock road
Walks.
Walking from Frome is at least a 6 mile round trip. If this does not deter you follow the walk along Vallis (see Vallis Vale above) to the Bridge at Great Elm. Cross the bridge and go a further 10 metres. A bridle path goes up sharply to the right. At the top turn right and follow the lane until the next left. This lane leads down to the start of Colliers wood way. In winter flocks of 250+ Fieldfaires and Redwings are along the route and flocks of yellowhammer and Bullfinch also occur. Tawny owls, kestrels, and sparrowhawks are all along the route. Less common are Peregrines probably from the nearby Mells qarries, that occasionally hunt the pigeon flocks which roost in Colliers Wood. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have been seen but are rare. Commoner species include - Coal and Marsh tits, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Treecreeper
The old Frome to Radstock Railway now transformed into a walk and part of the National Cycle Network (24)
By Car:
Take the A362 Radstock road
Walks.
Walking from Frome is at least a 6 mile round trip. If this does not deter you follow the walk along Vallis (see Vallis Vale above) to the Bridge at Great Elm. Cross the bridge and go a further 10 metres. A bridle path goes up sharply to the right. At the top turn right and follow the lane until the next left. This lane leads down to the start of Colliers wood way. In winter flocks of 250+ Fieldfaires and Redwings are along the route and flocks of yellowhammer and Bullfinch also occur. Tawny owls, kestrels, and sparrowhawks are all along the route. Less common are Peregrines probably from the nearby Mells qarries, that occasionally hunt the pigeon flocks which roost in Colliers Wood. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have been seen but are rare. Commoner species include - Coal and Marsh tits, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Treecreeper
Multimap Link.
A small area of water opposite Asda, setup as a wildlife refuge during the supermarkets construction. Unfortunately the design of the area does little to encourage wildlife. A footpath runs round the entire pool with full access for dog walkers, hardly conducive as a wildlife haven.
By Car:
Directly opposite Adsa Car park.
Walks.
News Update:
Asda has recently handed over the management of the site to a new local conservation group - FAWG - Frome Area Wildlife Group. FAWG plan to move the current hide away to a more sheltered spot and to change access, allowing birds a more secluded habitat with the hope of encouraging breeding.
Despite its problems rarities have included a Bonapartes gull and Jack Snipe.
A small area of water opposite Asda, setup as a wildlife refuge during the supermarkets construction. Unfortunately the design of the area does little to encourage wildlife. A footpath runs round the entire pool with full access for dog walkers, hardly conducive as a wildlife haven.
By Car:
Directly opposite Adsa Car park.
Walks.
News Update:
Asda has recently handed over the management of the site to a new local conservation group - FAWG - Frome Area Wildlife Group. FAWG plan to move the current hide away to a more sheltered spot and to change access, allowing birds a more secluded habitat with the hope of encouraging breeding.
Despite its problems rarities have included a Bonapartes gull and Jack Snipe.
Multimap Link.
Famous for it's House amd Safari park Longleat's estate covers many square miles. Off season there is free access to the grounds.
By Car:
2.5 miles from Frome on the Warminster Rd.
Walks.
Walking from Frome would be quite a feat! Its advisable to drive or alternatively catch a 53 bus from Frome market place to Pickets post roundabout. (Longleats entrance). From Pickets Post follow directions to Centerparcs, after 50 metres take the first turning on the left. This walk now continues along the road for some time and Several paths lead of left and right into the conifer plantations. After 1/2 mile the road gently turns left, there are two paths here one to the right and one straight ahead. The latter leads to Shearwater, a sizable lake holding.
Famous for it's House amd Safari park Longleat's estate covers many square miles. Off season there is free access to the grounds.
By Car:
2.5 miles from Frome on the Warminster Rd.
Walks.
Walking from Frome would be quite a feat! Its advisable to drive or alternatively catch a 53 bus from Frome market place to Pickets post roundabout. (Longleats entrance). From Pickets Post follow directions to Centerparcs, after 50 metres take the first turning on the left. This walk now continues along the road for some time and Several paths lead of left and right into the conifer plantations. After 1/2 mile the road gently turns left, there are two paths here one to the right and one straight ahead. The latter leads to Shearwater, a sizable lake holding.
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