The RSPB's nature reserve at Swell Wood near Curry Rivel in South Somerset. A fine view over West Sedgemoor.

The RSPB’s Swell Wood nature reserve is a short drive west of Curry Rivel on the A378 in Somerset.  It is well signposted and its car park is amongst the trees only a few yards off the main road.  It is said by the RSPB to be Southwest England’s largest heronry, but although I have visited Swell Wood on several occasions I have yet to see a heron: I must be going there at the wrong time of year.

I have tried the reserve’s two trails and found the woodland walk the easiest with a fine view over West Sedgemoor to Burrow Mump with Brent Knoll, Crook Peak and The Mendips on the horizon.  The scarp trail, across the lane east of the car park, has some steep sections which are a very tricky and after wet weather they are even more demanding.  I found the views a bit restricted: you can’t see them for the trees!

The view from Swell Wood over West Sedgemoor towards Burrow Mump on 1st Feb. 2013. The floods would be worse in 2014.

The view from Swell Wood over West Sedgemoor towards Burrow Mump on 12th September 2017.