Guided Nature Tour at Warleigh Nature Reserve near Bath

Protect Earth bought this disused farmland at Warleigh on the outskirts of Bath at the end of January this year with the intention of creating a new nature reserve, complete with new wetlands, woodlands and rare grasslands. A lot has been happening here since then.

The three-hour, 3.5-mile tour begins at the far end of The Angelfish Cafe car park at the bottom of Brassknocker Hill, Bath where Oscar, our ecologist, will meet you and take you on a walking tour of the new Warleigh Nature Reserve and Dundas Aqueduct, stopping at intervals to point out specific habitats, and species, discuss our projects and learn about the site’s history.

Oscar will lead the group along a route that will pass through each of the different habitat zones. At each, he will stop and explain how common or rare that habitat type is across the UK, what groups of species it hosts, and any benefits it can be expected to provide to the wider landscape outside the reserve (for example, by acting as a buffer for the water table, the wet woodland habitat will hopefully reduce flooding from the River Avon, alleviating stress on beaver populations and protecting human settlements downstream).

At the far end of the reserve we will stop for tea, coffee and a comfort break, where you will have the opportunity to ask questions before eventually returning to the start by a different route. Please wear long trousers and suitable footwear for uneven paths, which may be wet in places.

Route Obstacles: There are some obstacles on the route that people have found challenging:

· Steep steps from Dundas Aqueduct to river level (10 metres ascent & descent)

• The route involves climbing over two stiles

• The ground is uneven and steep in places (65 metres ascent and descent) - a walking stick or hiking poles are recommended

• Depending on rainfall, part of the route may be waterlogged - waterproof boots are recommended.

If you donated more than £60 to our recent crowdfunder you are entitled to a free ticket, so click the crowdfunder ticket button to book. Warleigh volunteers can book a free volunteers ticket. Otherwise, the general admission price is £40 (students £25) which will be used to help develop this new nature reserve.

PLEASE NOTE:

This tour requires a minimum of five people. If the minimum is not reached you will be offered a tour on an alternative date.

This tour is not suitable for people with limited mobility. A more accessible tour which lasts 2 hours and avoids the slopes (but not the stiles) is available on Saturday, 18th July.