South West Somerset Tourist Information

Somerset Levels and Moors

The Somerset Levels and Moors is the largest area of lowland wet grassland and wetland habitats in Britain covering 35,000 hectares. They stretch across the lowlands between the Mendip and Quantock Hills and are what is left of a once wider area of flooded fenland. The Somerset Levels have eight rivers and drains running through it: the Kenn, Yeo, Axe, Brue, Huntspill, King's Sedgemoor Drain, Parrett and Tone. The land here is only a few metres above sea level and is criss-crossed with ditches, rhynes (pronounced reens) and rivers that take the huge amounts of water through the landscape. Glastonbury Tor is the most prominent landmark in the Levels rising up 521 feet. In days gone by this was actually an island surrounded by sea and later inaccessible marsh hence it becoming known as the Isle of Avalon. The marshes that lie all around Glastonbury and as far west as the coast are collectively called The Avalon Marshes. Shapwick Heath, Ham Wall, Westhay Moor, Catcott Lows wildlife reserves all fall within The Avalon Marshes.

Today these wetlands are renowned for internationally important numbers of waterfowl who come here to feed and roost in winter. In summer waders come here to breed and it is one of the best places in lowland England to see breeding waders. Cattle grazing, hay and silage production maintain these large areas of countryside.

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Langport Tourist Information

Langport is in the heart of the Somerset Levels and is one of a series of medieval market towns that typify the towns and villages in South Somerset. In days gone by these were important trading centres for the farmers and merchants in the Somerset countryside. It is easy to imagine what it would have been like in medieval times in these market towns with their old trading and storage buildings crowding around the market squares and crosses at the centre of the town.

Langport is on the River Parrett which was used for bringing trade into the town where it had its own Customs House. There are many historic features in the town such as the hanging chapel and the portcullis with access to the Somerset Levels countryside.

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Somerton Tourist Information Somerset Levels

Somerton is another of the medieval market towns amongst the Somerset Levels. Its historic centre appears to have changed little through the centuries. It was one of the important trading centres when this part of Somerset was known as Wessex. Many of the street and square names still echo their former uses as cattle markets and the like. Somerton is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and it is Somerton where the county name of Somerset took its name.

It's a very attractive town with traditional buildings made of local stone - Blue Lias and Ham Hill Oolites. The main focal point is the seventeenth century market square with its castellated Buttercross complete with grimacing gargoyles. There is also a good selection of more modern amenities in the way of shops, cafes, restaurants and accommodation.

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South Somerset Countryside Walks Nature Reserves

If you want to explore the South Somerset countryside there is handy leaflet available from Tourist Information Centres "Explore South Somerset Countryside" which gives you lots of details of the wildlife and geology of South Somerset as well as lists of nature reserves, walks, viewpoints, country parks and woodland trails.

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