Clapton Moor

Important moor for its breeding waders, wintering wildfowl, and dragonflies, set in Gordano Valley.

Location

Clevedon Lane
Clapton-in-Gordano

Bristol

BS20 7RJ

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Know before you go

Size

40 hectares

Entry fee

Grazing animals

Yes

Walking trails

The Clapton Circuit provides a walk alongside the upper hay meadows and there is a bird hide overlooking the wet meadows. Access is restricted to the path that leads to the hide, which gives excellent views over the moor.

Access

Flat ground except for ditches/ryhnes. Access to hide along path. The remainder of the site is not open to the public without a permit.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Clapton Circuit and the path to the bird hide are open at all times.

Best time to visit

April to July, October to February

About the reserve

Set within the Gordano Valley, Clapton Moor is characteristic of the North Somerset Levels landscape.

Networked with species-rich rhynes (watery ditches), the moor is important for its breeding waders and wintering wildfowl.

Wildlife

Buzzard, peregrine and hobby have been recorded over the reserve, the latter often chasing some of the many swallows, martins and swifts that feed over the grassland.

The Trust and Natural England have created a raised water level on this reserve to encourage winter splash flooding to attract wintering wildfowl and wading birds and to safeguard the wetland wildlife.

The rhynes are full of many rare plants such as frogbit, greater spearwort and fen pondweed. Look out for hairy dragonfly and ruddy darter.

This site was purchased and managed through support from Heritage Lottery Fund, YANSEC, Countryside Agency, Alan Evans Memorial Trust, Ritchie Charitable Trust and public donation.