Days out
West Sedgemoor
HealeClosedSee opening timesWest Sedgemoor is closed to visitors to protect the wildlife that lives here. To enjoy the wonderful variety this sprawling place has to offer, wander the public footpaths around the edge for fantastic views and a chance to spot Common Cranes and hedgerow birds and butterflies.
About
⚠ Temporarily closed - we are hoping to resume access to the reserve in early 2024 with pre-booked guided visits. Please check this banner for the latest update ⚠
West Sedgemoor reserve is part of England's largest remaining wet meadow system. Located in the Somerset Levels and Moors, it’s protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is closed to visitors to protect precious wildlife.
While you can't enter the reserve, you can explore around the edge using the public footpaths for sweeping views across the flooded grasslands, hedgerows, and woodland.
We've been working to keep the hay meadows and pastures perfect for wildlife. We control water levels, graze cattle and cut hay to create ideal habitats for ground-nesting birds. This ongoing hay meadow management helps West Sedgemoor’s rare plants to thrive. Plus, it helps to keep the area buzzing and singing by benefitting birds, mammals and insects.
It’s anything but quiet... in fact, it’s home to the largest lowland population of breeding wading birds in southwest England and swarms with waders and ducks during the winter. And beyond birds, If you’re lucky, you might spot Roe Deer and Brown Hares which live here too.
At a glance
The reserve is closed to the public to protect the wildlife that calls it home.
Access is only available via the public footpath network around the edge.
There is no parking here. Nearest parking is at RSPB Swell Wood or in Curry Rival village. The parking at RSPB Swell Wood is all firm, flat, bare ground.
We don’t have any toilets here. The nearest public toilets are located in Langport, 4 miles (6.5km) away.
We don’t have any baby changing facilities here. The nearest public toilets with changing facilities are located in Langport, 4 miles (6.5km) away.
Unsurfaced paths with some width restrictions, including stiles and gates. Many changes in gradient and some steps. No seating.
Unsurfaced paths with some width restrictions, including stiles and gates. Many changes in gradient and some steps. No seating.
We don’t have any toilets here. The nearest public toilets are located in Langport, 4 miles (6.5km) away.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Dogs on leads are welcome on the public footpaths around the reserve. Please keep to the designated rights of way only. • Sorry, dogs aren’t permitted on guided walks other than assistance dogs. We ask that you take the waste home with you to dispose of.
Assistance Dogs welcome at all times on all trails.
See what’s here
Contact West Sedgemoor
west.sedgemoor@rspb.org.uk West Sedgemoor, Red Hill, Langport, Somerset, TA10 0PH 01458 252805