Plan your visit
🦅Birds🦉Wildlife🦋Insects
Free entryDogs welcome0 ha
Getting here
51.11748, -2.36458
Open directionsv
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- 🐦76+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blue Tit and Chaffinch
- ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- 🐦76+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blue Tit and Chaffinch
- ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
🦅Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Robin +73 more · last seen 2025
Free
Birds — Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Robin +73 more · last seen 2025
Free
🦋Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Small White, Green-veined White, Ringlet +41 more · last seen 2025
Free
🍂Seasonal nature
Good match
Plants — Foxglove, Coltsfoot, Green Alkanet +11 more · last seen 2025
Free
🏡Historic gardens
Moderate match
Historic site
Varies
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km4 signed routes nearby · 4 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Monarch's WayWalking route990 km▾
approximate route of Charles II's escape
Named routeRef MWLength 990 kmRegional walking route
Macmillan WayWalking route290 km▾
Named routeRef MWALength 290 kmListed length 461Regional walking route
Leland TrailWalking route▾
Named routeRef LTRegional walking route
Stour Valley WayWalking route100 km▾
Named routeRef SVWLength 100 kmRegional walking route
13 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Wiltshire CyclewayCycling route155 km▾
Named routeRef WCLength 155 kmRound tripRegional cycle route
Route 25Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 25National Cycle Network
National BywayCycling route▾
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
National Byway (proposed South West)Cycling route▾
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route9.7 km▾
Named routeRef 25Length 9.7 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route282 m▾
Named routeRef 25Length 282 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Photos
South Somerset : King Alfred's Tower View
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysNearby places
Useful places within 5 km
Events & activities nearby
Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.
Wildlife to spot
9,552 records · National Biodiversity Network
Wildlife to spot
9,552 records · National Biodiversity NetworkGoldcrest · Marsh Tit · Mallard · Mute Swan · Swallow +38
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- Marsh TitPoecile palustris
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- Mute SwanCygnus olor
- SwallowHirundo rustica
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- MagpiePica pica
- Great TitParus major
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- PheasantPhasianus colchicus
- GadwallMareca strepera
- Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus
- Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
- MoorhenGallinula chloropus
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
- JayGarrulus glandarius
- FirecrestRegulus ignicapilla
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
- BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
- RavenCorvus corax
- TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
- Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
- Mandarin DuckAix galericulata
- SiskinSpinus spinus
- NuthatchSitta europaea
- Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
- Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
- Turtle DoveStreptopelia turtur
🦌Mammals2 species
summerautumn
2025▾
Hazel Dormouse · Mole
- Hazel DormouseMuscardinus avellanarius
- MoleTalpa europaea
Common Lizard
- Common LizardZootoca vivipara
7-spot Ladybird · Helophilus pendulus · Dark Bush-cricket · Common Ground-hopper · Syrphus +14
- 7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
- Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus
- Dark Bush-cricketPholidoptera griseoaptera
- Common Ground-hopperTetrix undulata
- SyrphusSyrphus
- Turnip TigressAthalia rosae
- Common Darter
Herb-Robert · Perennial Rye-grass · Dandelion · Soft-rush · Red Clover +76
- Herb-RobertGeranium robertianum
- Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne
- DandelionTaraxacum
- Soft-rushJuncus effusus
- Red CloverTrifolium pratense
- False-bromeBrachypodium sylvaticum
- Great WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
9,552 records · National Biodiversity NetworkGoldcrest · Marsh Tit · Mallard · Mute Swan · Swallow +38
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- Marsh TitPoecile palustris
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- Mute SwanCygnus olor
- SwallowHirundo rustica
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- MagpiePica pica
- Great TitParus major
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- PheasantPhasianus colchicus
- GadwallMareca strepera
- Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus
- Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
- MoorhenGallinula chloropus
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
- JayGarrulus glandarius
- FirecrestRegulus ignicapilla
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
- BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
- RavenCorvus corax
- TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
- Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
- Mandarin DuckAix galericulata
- SiskinSpinus spinus
- NuthatchSitta europaea
- Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
- Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
- Turtle DoveStreptopelia turtur
🦌Mammals2 species
summerautumn
2025▾
Hazel Dormouse · Mole
- Hazel DormouseMuscardinus avellanarius
- MoleTalpa europaea
Common Lizard
- Common LizardZootoca vivipara
7-spot Ladybird · Helophilus pendulus · Dark Bush-cricket · Common Ground-hopper · Syrphus +14
- 7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
- Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus
- Dark Bush-cricketPholidoptera griseoaptera
- Common Ground-hopperTetrix undulata
- SyrphusSyrphus
- Turnip TigressAthalia rosae
- Common Darter
Herb-Robert · Perennial Rye-grass · Dandelion · Soft-rush · Red Clover +76
- Herb-RobertGeranium robertianum
- Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne
- DandelionTaraxacum
- Soft-rushJuncus effusus
- Red CloverTrifolium pratense
- False-bromeBrachypodium sylvaticum
- Great WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Sympetrum striolatum
Sympetrum striolatum
Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanusXylota segnisXylota segnisXylota segnisXylota segnisFigwort SawflyTenthredo scrophulariaeFigwort SawflyTenthredo scrophulariaeGreen ShieldbugPalomena prasinaGreen ShieldbugPalomena prasinaCorizus hyoscyamiCorizus hyoscyamiCorizus hyoscyamiCorizus hyoscyamiHairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarumHairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarumEristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinaxLeucozona glauciaLeucozona glauciaLeucozona glauciaLeucozona glauciaBatman HoverflyMyathropa floreaBatman HoverflyMyathropa floreaEristalis nemorumEristalis nemorumEristalis nemorumEristalis nemorumSericomyia silentisSericomyia silentisSericomyia silentisSericomyia silentisMeliscaeva cinctellaMeliscaeva cinctellaMeliscaeva cinctellaMeliscaeva cinctellaRed CampionSilene dioicaRed CampionSilene dioicaCock's-footDactylis glomerataCock's-footDactylis glomerataBeechFagus sylvaticaBeechFagus sylvaticaSelfhealPrunella vulgarisSelfhealPrunella vulgarisEnchanter's-nightshadeCircaea lutetianaEnchanter's-nightshadeCircaea lutetianaWild StrawberryFragaria vescaWild StrawberryFragaria vescaHedge WoundwortStachys sylvaticaHedge WoundwortStachys sylvaticaTufted Hair-grassDeschampsia cespitosaTufted Hair-grassDeschampsia cespitosaBroad Buckler-fernDryopteris dilatataBroad Buckler-fernDryopteris dilatataWild AngelicaAngelica sylvestrisWild AngelicaAngelica sylvestrisWood SpeedwellVeronica montanaWood SpeedwellVeronica montanaGorseUlex europaeusGorseUlex europaeusCreeping ButtercupRanunculus repensCreeping ButtercupRanunculus repensPendulous SedgeCarex pendulaPendulous SedgeCarex pendulaHazelCorylus avellanaHazelCorylus avellanaPedunculate OakQuercus roburPedunculate OakQuercus roburColtsfootTussilago farfaraColtsfootTussilago farfaraDowny BirchBetula pubescensDowny BirchBetula pubescensSilver BirchBetula pendulaSilver BirchBetula pendulaCrested Dog's-tailCynosurus cristatusCrested Dog's-tailCynosurus cristatusBluebellHyacinthoides non-scriptaBluebellHyacinthoides non-scriptaCompact RushJuncus conglomeratusCompact RushJuncus conglomeratusWood DockRumex sanguineusWood DockRumex sanguineusSticky Mouse-earCerastium glomeratumSticky Mouse-earCerastium glomeratumWood AvensGeum urbanumWood AvensGeum urbanumWestern Hemlock-spruceTsuga heterophyllaWestern Hemlock-spruceTsuga heterophyllaTimothyPhleum pratenseTimothyPhleum pratenseDaisyBellis perennisDaisyBellis perennisBrambleRubus fruticosusBrambleRubus fruticosusWater-pepperPersicaria hydropiperWater-pepperPersicaria hydropiperCentaurea nigraCentaurea nigraCentaurea nigraCentaurea nigraMale-fernDryopteris filix-masMale-fernDryopteris filix-masCat's-earHypochaeris radicataCat's-earHypochaeris radicataRibwort PlantainPlantago lanceolataRibwort PlantainPlantago lanceolataSilverweedPotentilla anserinaSilverweedPotentilla anserinaCommon Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatusCommon Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatusRemote SedgeCarex remotaRemote SedgeCarex remotaNipplewortLapsana communisNipplewortLapsana communisHollyIlex aquifoliumHollyIlex aquifoliumSycamoreAcer pseudoplatanusSycamoreAcer pseudoplatanusLamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanumLamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanumLamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanumLamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanumAshFraxinus excelsiorAshFraxinus excelsiorWood-sorrelOxalis acetosellaWood-sorrelOxalis acetosellaWhite CloverTrifolium repensWhite CloverTrifolium repensBrackenPteridium aquilinumBrackenPteridium aquilinumYorkshire-fogHolcus lanatusYorkshire-fogHolcus lanatusAnnual Meadow-grassPoa annuaAnnual Meadow-grassPoa annuaGreater PlantainPlantago majorGreater PlantainPlantago majorSweet Vernal-grassAnthoxanthum odoratumSweet Vernal-grassAnthoxanthum odoratumLesser BurdockArctium minusLesser BurdockArctium minusAutumn HawkbitScorzoneroides autumnalisAutumn HawkbitScorzoneroides autumnalisCommon NettleUrtica dioicaCommon NettleUrtica dioicaFalse Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatiusFalse Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatiusMeadow ButtercupRanunculus acrisMeadow ButtercupRanunculus acrisBroad-leaved DockRumex obtusifoliusBroad-leaved DockRumex obtusifoliusShepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastorisShepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastorisIvyHedera helixIvyHedera helixWestern Red-cedarThuja plicataWestern Red-cedarThuja plicataHawthornCrataegus monogynaHawthornCrataegus monogynaPolygonum avicularePolygonum avicularePolygonum avicularePolygonum aviculareHogweedHeracleum sphondyliumHogweedHeracleum sphondyliumCommon BentAgrostis capillarisCommon BentAgrostis capillarisPineappleweedMatricaria discoideaPineappleweedMatricaria discoideaCreeping ThistleCirsium arvenseCreeping ThistleCirsium arvenseThyme-leaved SpeedwellVeronica serpyllifoliaThyme-leaved SpeedwellVeronica serpyllifoliaCleaversGalium aparineCleaversGalium aparineRed FescueFestuca rubraRed FescueFestuca rubraSharp-flowered RushJuncus acutiflorusSharp-flowered RushJuncus acutiflorusWild CherryPrunus aviumWild CherryPrunus aviumCreeping BentAgrostis stoloniferaCreeping BentAgrostis stoloniferaRosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifoliumRosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifoliumPill SedgeCarex piluliferaPill SedgeCarex piluliferaRaspberryRubus idaeusRaspberryRubus idaeusElderSambucus nigraElderSambucus nigra