The Avalon Marshes

The Avalon Marshes, a magical wetland landscape, lies at the heart of Somerset’s Levels and Moors. It is nationally important for its rich cultural heritage and diversity of wildlife, with Glastonbury Tor, the Isle of Avalon and some of Britain’s best wetland nature reserves.

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Wetland Wildlife

The Avalon Marshes is part of Somerset’s Levels and Moors, one of the largest lowland wetlands in Britain. It is internationally important for wildlife. See murmurations of starlings; listen to booming bitterns; be enchanted by colourful meadows; watch butterflies and dragonflies; and if you are very lucky glimpse otters at play.

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Meare Fish House in the landscape

10,000 Years

Inhabited since the end of the last ice age, the Avalon Marshes has slowly been reclaimed from the sea and bears the evidence of history. Ancient trackways crossed the marshes in the Stone Age; Iron Age dwellers built lake villages; Romans extracted salt; the medieval period saw the influence of Glastonbury Abbey; the industrial revolution brought canals and railways.

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Isle of Avalon

Mystical Glastonbury is reputed to be the ancient Isle of Avalon.  A thriving town it is home to Glastonbury Abbey and Glastonbury Tor, which looks out over the Avalon Marshes and beyond. Legends abound including King Arthur and his sword Excalibur, and Joseph of Arimethea and the Holy Thorn.

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Vote for Us!

We have some exciting news; the Avalon Marshes Project has reached the finals of the National Lottery Awards 2017, we really would like YOUR help and YOUR vote to help us win.

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Explore

Cyclists and Glastonbury Tor

Nature Reserves, fascinating heritage, Glastonbury Tor, museums, attractive villages, footpaths, cycle routes, kids’ stuff and lots more. Come and explore Somerset’s Avalon Marshes.

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History and Heritage

Glastonbury lake Village

The Avalon Marshes is a landscape of rich resources, not of coal and iron but of food, peat and water.  These give the marshes their special character and have left a wonderful legacy of history and archaeology.

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Wonderful Wildlife

Great Crested Grebes performing

The Avalon Marshes is a very special place to see and enjoy wildlife whatever time of year you visit. There are four National Nature Reserves and lots of other areas teeming with wetland wildlife.

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Upcoming Events

Archaeology Open Day

Tours of the reconstructed Saxon longhall and Roman villa dining-room. See more on the project blog. Display on the results of recent excavations at Beckery, in Glastonbury, which provided the earliest archaeological evidence for monasticism in Britain. Read the full… Read more…

Day: Sunday
Date: 23/07/2017

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Sweet Track Trail Game- 24th July

Discover some of the mysterious history of the Sweet Track, the ancient neolithic walkway that ran through the heart of Shapwick Heath. Meet our friendly guide at the main entrance to the reserve, to set you off on a trail… Read more…

Day: Monday
Date: 24/07/2017

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Young Wardens looking at wildlife

Young Wardens: Wildlife ID – 26 July

Join members of RoAM (Recorders of the Avalon Marshes) to improve your Wildlife ID. A day spent on Shapwick Heath NNR looking at a range of insects, reptiles, birds & mammal signs and learning how to use identification keys. Young… Read more…

Day: Wednesday
Date: 26/07/2017

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Keeping in Touch

If you would like to keep in touch with what is happening in the Avalon Marshes why not sign up for our enewsletter “Messages from the Marshes”, “like us” on Facebook or follow us on Twitter?

 

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The Avalon Marshes Partnership

 

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