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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Whats been happening at the marshes?

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Super Starlings for home educated children at RSPB Ham Wall

Have you ever marvelled at a starling murmuration? Join us at RSPB Ham Wall to learn about the fascinating lives of these charismatic birds as they gather in massive flocks for their evening flyby abo

Further improvements at the Avalon Marshes System

Natural England has now secured funding from Defra to continue with the improvements within the Avalon Marshes. These are at the Avalon Marshes Centre and are part of what is known as the Phase 3 work

Shapwick Heath Newsletter: Jul – Sep 22

Despite summer temperatures soaring and the beach calling, we’ve been busy as ever out on the reserves across the county. Our practical volunteers have been keeping things ticking over on the reserv

WetlandLIFE: Hide and Seek Project – Featured Writer Interview

What is the Hide & Seek Project? The Hide & Seek Project seeks to uncover stories which exist in our wetlands and believes that by sharing and creating narratives we can better understand our

Shapwick Heath Newsletter: Jul – Sep 22

Shapwick Heath NNR: Despite summer temperatures soaring and the beach calling, we’ve been busy as ever out on the reserves across the county. Our practical volunteers have been keeping things tickin

Avalon Marshes response to Covid-19

Safety is our top priority and we are closely monitoring Coronavirus (Covid-19) updates and following government advice. Update 22 Aug 21: In line with Government guidance Shapwick Heath NNR and its a

The Bittern Trail is open!

The Bittern Trail is a new family friendly cycle trail which links the town of Glastonbury with the Avalon Marshes Centre. It is a four mile long, tranquil, mainly traffic free, route running throug

WetlandLIFE: Hide and Seek Project – Featured Writer Interview

What is the Hide & Seek Project? The Hide & Seek Project seeks to uncover stories which exist in our wetlands and believes that by sharing and creating narratives we can better understand our

Shapwick Heath Newsletter – April to June 2019

As April arrived survey season began in earnest and as our second landscape-wide booming bittern count racked up 42 booming males across the Avalon Marshes, with 13 of them on Shapwick Heath alone and

Shapwick Heath NNR Management Plan 2018-2023 Consultation Draft Document

Natural England have just completed their 5-year review of the Shapwick Heath NNR Management Plan. The document is now open for a period of public consultation and is available to download here for yo

Upcoming Events

We’re excited to be able to invite you to events at the Avalon Marshes, providing you with unique opportunities to see and connect with the nature and heritage of the area.

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22/04/2023, 6:00 am—8:30 am

HAM Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Dawn Chorus Guided Walk at RSPB Ham Wall on 22nd April 2023

HAM Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Learn to Film with your DSLR/Mirrorless Camera – The Basics at RSPB Ham Wall on 18th April 2023

HAM Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Booming Bitterns Guided Walk at Ham Wall Nature Reserve on 16th April 2023

Ham Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Booming Bitterns Guided Walk at Ham Wall Nature Reserve on 1st April 2023

Ham Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Family Pond Dipping at RSPB Ham Wall on 14th April 2023

Ham Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Family Pond Dipping at RSPB Ham Wall on 8th April 2023

Keeping in touch

Interested in keeping up with the work going on at Avalon Marshes? Follow us on our social media to stay up to date.

Photo Credits: Pin Tail Duck Catcott (Brian Phipps), Westhay Island Hide (AM Staff), Glastonbury Tor Wetland (Brian Phipps), Easter Ducks (Unsplash.com), Teasel Painted Lady (Joy Russel), Peat and Reeds (Joy Russel), Great White Egret (John Crispin)

The Avalon Marshes

Avalon live

Whats been happening at the marshes?

Posted 23/11/2022

Super Starlings for home educated children at RSPB Ham Wall

Posted 31/10/2022

Further improvements at the Avalon Marshes System

Posted 31/10/2022

Shapwick Heath Newsletter: Jul – Sep 22

Posted 31/10/2022

WetlandLIFE: Hide and Seek Project – Featured Writer Interview

Posted 18/11/2021

Shapwick Heath Newsletter: Jul – Sep 22

Posted 06/07/2020

Avalon Marshes response to Covid-19

Posted 23/08/2019

The Bittern Trail is open!

Posted 31/07/2019

WetlandLIFE: Hide and Seek Project – Featured Writer Interview

Posted 08/07/2019

Shapwick Heath Newsletter – April to June 2019

Posted 05/02/2019

Shapwick Heath NNR Management Plan 2018-2023 Consultation Draft Document

Upcoming Events

22/04/2023, 6:00 am—8:30 am

HAM Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Dawn Chorus Guided Walk at RSPB Ham Wall on 22nd April 2023

18/04/2023, 9:00 am—1:00 pm

HAM Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Learn to Film with your DSLR/Mirrorless Camera – The Basics at RSPB Ham Wall on 18th April 2023

16/04/2023, 6:00 am—8:30 am

HAM Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Booming Bitterns Guided Walk at Ham Wall Nature Reserve on 16th April 2023

01/04/2023, 6:00 am—8:30 am

Ham Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Booming Bitterns Guided Walk at Ham Wall Nature Reserve on 1st April 2023

14/04/2023, 11:00am - 2:00pm

Ham Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Family Pond Dipping at RSPB Ham Wall on 14th April 2023

08/04/2023, 11:00am - 2:00pm

Ham Wall Nature Reserve BA6 9SX

Family Pond Dipping at RSPB Ham Wall on 8th April 2023

The Avalon Marshes Partners

Keeping in touch

Photo Credits: Pin Tail Duck Catcott (Brian Phipps), Westhay Island Hide (AM Staff), Glastonbury Tor Wetland (Brian Phipps), Easter Ducks (Unsplash.com), Teasel Painted Lady (Joy Russel), Peat and Reeds (Joy Russel), Great White Egret (John Crispin)