Anglo-Saxon occupation site and site of Athelney Abbey on Athelney Hill
10 ha
Plan your visit
🦅Birds🦉Wildlife🦋Insects
Free entryDogs welcome10 ha
Getting here
51.05884, -2.93865
Open directionsv
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- 🐦91+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Mute Swan and Starling
- 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- 🐦91+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Mute Swan and Starling
- 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
- 🐕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 — Mute Swan, Starling, Carrion Crow +88 more · last seen 2025; Grazing marsh — lapwing, redshank, snipe and wintering wildfowl
Free
Birds — Mute Swan, Starling, Carrion Crow +88 more · last seen 2025; Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh priority habitat
Free
🦋Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Large White, Red Admiral, Meadow Grasshopper +61 more · last seen 2025; Traditional orchard — specialist orchard insects and lichens
Free
Traditional orchard — seasonal fruit, fungi and wild plants
Varies
〰Waterside walks
Good match
Grazing marsh and ditches — waterside walking
Varies
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km3 signed routes nearby · 7 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Somerset Space WalkWalking route▾
Named routeLocal walking route
East Deane WayWalking route▾
Named routeRef EDWRegional walking route
River Parrett TrailWalking route80 km▾
Named routeRef RPTLength 80 kmRegional walking route
24 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Route 3Cycling route527.7 km▾
Named routeRef 3Length 527.7 kmNational Cycle Network
Route 33Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 33National Cycle Network
EuroVelo 1 - Atlantic Coast Route - part United Kingdom 2Cycling route▾
Named routeRef EV1International cycle route
National Cycle Network route 339Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 339National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route264 m▾
Named routeRef 3Length 264 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route17 m▾
Named routeRef 3Length 17 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysNearby places
Useful places within 5 km
Events & activities nearby
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Wildlife to spot
4,041 records · National Biodiversity Network
Wildlife to spot
4,041 records · National Biodiversity Network🐦Birds49 species
winterspring
2025▾
Wren · Blackbird · Mallard · Robin · Mute Swan +44
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- Mute SwanCygnus olor
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- Little EgretEgretta garzetta
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- RavenCorvus corax
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- Cetti's WarblerCettia cetti
- Great TitParus major
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
- MagpiePica pica
- Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus
- Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
- RedwingTurdus iliacus
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- House SparrowPasser domesticus
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- MoorhenGallinula chloropus
- Water RailRallus aquaticus
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus
- GreenfinchChloris chloris
- FieldfareTurdus pilaris
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- SwallowHirundo rustica
- LapwingVanellus vanellus
- SwiftApus apus
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
- SnipeGallinago gallinago
- Tawny OwlStrix aluco
- Stock DoveColumba oenas
- KingfisherAlcedo atthis
- TealAnas crecca
- Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis
- Barn OwlTyto alba
- StonechatSaxicola rubicola
🐸Amphibians1 species
springsummer
2025▾
Common Toad
Sphaerophoria · Syritta pipiens · Short-winged Cone-head · Long-winged Cone-head · Garden Chafer +27
- SphaerophoriaSphaerophoria
- Syritta pipiensSyritta pipiens
- Short-winged Cone-headConocephalus dorsalis
- Long-winged Cone-headConocephalus fuscus
- Garden ChaferPhyllopertha horticola
- Small Black AntLasius niger
- White-legged Damselfly
Redshank · Purple-loosestrife · White Clover · Rumex pulcher x sanguineus = R. x mixtus · Small Nettle +29
- RedshankPersicaria maculosa
- Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria
- White CloverTrifolium repens
- Rumex pulcher x sanguineus = R. x mixtusRumex pulcher x sanguineus = R. x mixtus
- Small NettleUrtica urens
- Black SpleenwortAsplenium adiantum-nigrum
- Smooth Meadow-grass
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
4,041 records · National Biodiversity Network🐦Birds49 species
winterspring
2025▾
Wren · Blackbird · Mallard · Robin · Mute Swan +44
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- Mute SwanCygnus olor
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- Little EgretEgretta garzetta
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- RavenCorvus corax
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- Cetti's WarblerCettia cetti
- Great TitParus major
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
- MagpiePica pica
- Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus
- Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
- RedwingTurdus iliacus
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- House SparrowPasser domesticus
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- MoorhenGallinula chloropus
- Water RailRallus aquaticus
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus
- GreenfinchChloris chloris
- FieldfareTurdus pilaris
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- SwallowHirundo rustica
- LapwingVanellus vanellus
- SwiftApus apus
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
- SnipeGallinago gallinago
- Tawny OwlStrix aluco
- Stock DoveColumba oenas
- KingfisherAlcedo atthis
- TealAnas crecca
- Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis
- Barn OwlTyto alba
- StonechatSaxicola rubicola
🐸Amphibians1 species
springsummer
2025▾
Common Toad
Sphaerophoria · Syritta pipiens · Short-winged Cone-head · Long-winged Cone-head · Garden Chafer +27
- SphaerophoriaSphaerophoria
- Syritta pipiensSyritta pipiens
- Short-winged Cone-headConocephalus dorsalis
- Long-winged Cone-headConocephalus fuscus
- Garden ChaferPhyllopertha horticola
- Small Black AntLasius niger
- White-legged Damselfly
Redshank · Purple-loosestrife · White Clover · Rumex pulcher x sanguineus = R. x mixtus · Small Nettle +29
- RedshankPersicaria maculosa
- Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria
- White CloverTrifolium repens
- Rumex pulcher x sanguineus = R. x mixtusRumex pulcher x sanguineus = R. x mixtus
- Small NettleUrtica urens
- Black SpleenwortAsplenium adiantum-nigrum
- Smooth Meadow-grass
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Platycnemis pennipes
Platycnemis pennipes
Helophilus hybridusHelophilus hybridusHelophilus hybridusHelophilus hybridusFour-spotted ChaserLibellula quadrimaculataFour-spotted ChaserLibellula quadrimaculataHairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarumHairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarumBlack Bean AphidAphis (Aphis) fabaeBlack Bean AphidAphis (Aphis) fabaeCuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumariusCuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumariusCommon Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulvaCommon Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulvaCommon Green ColonelOplodontha viridulaCommon Green ColonelOplodontha viridulaSarcophagaSarcophagaSarcophagaSarcophagaAphrophora alniAphrophora alniAphrophora alniAphrophora alniNeomyia cornicinaNeomyia cornicinaNeomyia cornicinaNeomyia cornicinaRuddy DarterSympetrum sanguineumRuddy DarterSympetrum sanguineumBishop's MitreAelia acuminataBishop's MitreAelia acuminata16-spot LadybirdTytthaspis sedecimpunctata16-spot LadybirdTytthaspis sedecimpunctata7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctataHelophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulusApion frumentariumApion frumentariumApion frumentariumApion frumentariumTurnip TigressAthalia rosaeTurnip TigressAthalia rosaeRoesel's Bush-cricketRoeseliana roeseliiRoesel's Bush-cricketRoeseliana roeseliiAzure DamselflyCoenagrion puellaAzure DamselflyCoenagrion puellaMeadow GrasshopperPseudochorthippus parallelusMeadow GrasshopperPseudochorthippus parallelusLesser Marsh GrasshopperChorthippus albomarginatusLesser Marsh GrasshopperChorthippus albomarginatusEristalis tenaxEristalis tenaxEristalis tenaxEristalis tenaxPlatycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanusSphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scriptaGreen Nettle WeevilPhyllobius pomaceusGreen Nettle WeevilPhyllobius pomaceusPoa pratensis
Poa pratensis
Trifid Bur-marigoldBidens tripartitaTrifid Bur-marigoldBidens tripartitaPerennial Rye-grassLolium perennePerennial Rye-grassLolium perenneCreeping ThistleCirsium arvenseCreeping ThistleCirsium arvenseWater-pepperPersicaria hydropiperWater-pepperPersicaria hydropiperReed Canary-grassPhalaris arundinaceaReed Canary-grassPhalaris arundinaceaMarsh Yellow-cressRorippa palustrisMarsh Yellow-cressRorippa palustrisSpear-leaved OracheAtriplex prostrataSpear-leaved OracheAtriplex prostrataCommon NettleUrtica dioicaCommon NettleUrtica dioicaCreeping BentAgrostis stoloniferaCreeping BentAgrostis stoloniferaUnbranched Bur-reedSparganium emersumUnbranched Bur-reedSparganium emersumYellow Water-lilyNuphar luteaYellow Water-lilyNuphar luteaGroundselSenecio vulgarisGroundselSenecio vulgarisSalix fragilisSalix fragilisSalix fragilisSalix fragilisHedge BindweedCalystegia sepiumHedge BindweedCalystegia sepiumFalse Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatiusFalse Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatiusDandelionTaraxacumDandelionTaraxacumGreater PlantainPlantago majorGreater PlantainPlantago majorHogweedHeracleum sphondyliumHogweedHeracleum sphondyliumTansyTanacetum vulgareTansyTanacetum vulgareShepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastorisShepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastorisBroad-leaved DockRumex obtusifoliusBroad-leaved DockRumex obtusifoliusCock's-footDactylis glomerataCock's-footDactylis glomerataPolygonum avicularePolygonum avicularePolygonum avicularePolygonum aviculareSwine-cressLepidium coronopusSwine-cressLepidium coronopusFennel PondweedStuckenia pectinataFennel PondweedStuckenia pectinataArrowheadSagittaria sagittifoliaArrowheadSagittaria sagittifoliaPrickly Sow-thistleSonchus asperPrickly Sow-thistleSonchus asper