Welcome
Nestled in the Somerset Wetlands National Nature Reserve, Shapwick Moor is part of a fascinating working landscape celebrated for its rich wildlife, heritage and culture. The Hawk and Owl Trust manage this former arable farmland for the benefit of birds of prey and other wildlife.
A level track leads you from the main car park deeper into the reserve. There are two hides which are the perfect places to spot kestrels, barn owls and marsh harriers. There are three benches on the reserve for you to sit back and enjoy the wildlife. The reserve has a peaceful, ‘off-the beaten track’ feel to it where you can escape everyday stresses and enjoy a traditional Somerset landscape.
Level access
Getting here
Travel by public transport
There is no public transport currently available to the reserve.
Parking
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
There are no visitor buildings at Shapwick Moor Nature Reserve. A wooden entrance gate in the car park leads onto the main track which takes you into the reserve. The track is 2240mm wide and is made of hardstanding. The track is fairly level but does have some small dips and bumps and can become muddy in the winter, especially after wet weather.
Getting around inside
Getting around outside
Main route from car park to Barbara Handley hide and back
The main route from the car park into the reserve follows a farm-style hardstanding track. This is fairly level but it does have some bumps and can become muddy in winter. The track is subject to occasional vehicular use from the farmer, staff and volunteers.
The first hide is the Badger Sett hide which is 478m from the car park. This is accessed by a wooden ramp which is 940mm wide. Inside the hide there are wooden benches, one of which can be lifted out to access a 980mm space and lower window.
There is a wooden bench with a back but no sides under an oak tree just beyond the Badger Sett hide.
The track then comes to a crossroad where the workshop, office and staff parking is located. The track turns right and continues on a very slight downwards slope. There is a wooden bench with no sides or back located 174m on from the last bench, looking over towards Glastonbury Tor. The track continues and goes over a waterway and changes to a concrete hardstanding base with no sides or handrails. It is 3390mm wide. There is a bench here (with a back but no sides) which is located 184m on from the last bench. The track continues to another waterway where the track surface has been reinforced with rubble which is uneven underfoot. This is also 3390m wide.
There is a wooden footpath gate across the end of the track which is 1240mm wide. The track has a slight incline here as it enters the wooded area. The first left leads you down a narrow path (1000mm wide) off the main track towards the Barbara Handley hide.
Designated Walking Trail
Field footpath route
The main route from the car park into the reserve follows a farm-style hardstanding track. This is fairly level but it does have some bumps and can become muddy in winter. The track is subject to occasional vehicular use from the farmer, staff and volunteers.
The first hide is the Badger Sett hide which is 478m from the car park. This is accessed by a wooden ramp which is 940mm wide. Inside the hide there are wooden benches, one of which can be lifted out to access a lower window for wheelchair users (leaving a space of 980mm in width).
There is a wooden bench with a back but no sides under an oak tree just beyond the Badger Sett hide.
The track then comes to a crossroad where the workshop, office and staff parking is located. Continue straight. The track crosses a waterway which is 3400mm wide and there are no handrails. The track surface has been reinforced with rubble which is uneven underfoot.
The track continues to a finger post and turns right into an open field through a wooden field gate (which is 1300mm wide). The grassy path slopes very gently downhill and leads you to the first of two footbridges.
The first is a narrow wooden footbridge which is combined with a wooden style at each end. It is 850mm wide. This can become slippery when wet. The second is a 'farm-style' concrete bridge with metal handrails in a narrow 'V' shape (470mm width). It is accessed via rough stone steps on either side. The grassy footpath then continues along the waterway to another wooden field gate (1070mm wide) which leads back to a main hardstanding track.
If following the track to the right, you are heading back towards the car park. The track immidiatley goes over a waterway and changes to a concrete hardstanding base with no sides or handrails. It is 3390mm wide. There is a bench here (with a back but no sides). The next wooden bench (with no back or sides) is located 184m after this one. The track then rejoins the crossroads where the workshop and office are located. If the track if followed left, you are heading back in a straight line to the car park.
Badger Sett Hide
Barbara Handley Hide