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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Starling Spectacular

Starling landscape

Autumn in the Avalon Marshes brings a change as dark clouds begin to form.  But these are no ordinary clouds; they are Starling murmurations, huge flocks of Starlings on the move. They use the reedbeds of the Avalon Marshes as a safe and warm night time roost.

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Winter wonders

View towards Glastonbury Tor over reedbeds

Misty mornings, crisp air and lots of activity with migrating birds arriving. Winter is a great time to explore the Avalon Marshes. Why not wrap up warm and take a winter stroll?

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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

Female Marsh Harrier in flight

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

RSPB Ham Wall 25th Anniversary Walk

  Join RSPB Ham Wall Site Manager Steve on World Wetlands Day for a special walk to discover more about the history and wildlife of Ham Wall as we launch our celebrations of 25 years as a RSPB reserve. Ham… Read more…

Day: Saturday
Date: 02/02/2019

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Great White Egret

Ham Wall

Don Hurrell will lead a walk around the RSPB Reserve at Ham Wall to view winter birds. This walk will also be suitable for inexperienced birdwatchers, so come along if you would like to learn more about birding. Run by Somerset Wildlife… Read more…

Day: Sunday
Date: 10/02/2019

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Catcott Wintering Wildlife – FULLY BOOKED

This event is now fully booked. Sorry for any disappointment. Please keep looking at our events page for similar events in the future. A wander around Catcott nature reserve with Kevin Anderson, Avalon Marshes Visitor Experience Officer, to see what wintering… Read more…

Day: Wednesday
Date: 13/02/2019

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Keeping in Touch

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The Avalon Marshes Partnership

 

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