About the reserve

Walton Common has excellent views of the Gordano Valley and, above the quarry, across the Severn Estuary. It is a calcareous grassland reserve surrounded by woodland renowned for wildflowers and butterflies.

Wildflowers on Walton Common include thyme, marjoram, rock-rose, St John's wort, autumn gentian and violets.

Dexter cattle have been introduced to graze the reserve and their presence is essential to prevent scrub and bracken encroachment. An underground electric fencing system has been installed, which effectively creates invisible barriers, stopping livestock straying beyond the boundary.

Butterflies include common blue, brown argus, grizzled and dingy skipper, green and purple hairstreak, and dark green fritillary.

Grasshoppers, glow-worms and many varieties of moth are also found on the Common. The scrub and woodland edge provide food and nest-sites for blackcap and whitethroat. Buzzard, kestrel and sparrowhawk can be seen hunting across the Common.

Walton Common is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and home to the prehistoric remains of a Scheduled Ancient Monument called the 'banjo'.