We are the West Wiltshire Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
A 11.4 mile walk (or optional 9.4) from Ham Wall RSPB reserve to Glastonbury and back. Ham Wall is only 20 minutes from Wells.
Rough timings are:
10.00 -11.30 Walk into Glastonbury along The Levels. I will be encouraging a moderately brisk pace to give us more time for later on.
11.30 – 1.00 Two options – a) walk through town, up the Tor and back (about 2 miles) returning in time for a coffee in Guinevere’s Pantry if we make good time. b) If you want to avoid the climb you can relax in the town – drink coffee, visit the Abbey, buy some new tarot cards, have your aura checked out. As it’s nearly Christmas expect festive druids, mulled Merlins etc.
1.00 – 3.00 Walk back to Ham Wall (via Wearyall Hill and the home of The Lady of the Lake) in time for the murmuration at Viewing Platform One. Sunset is 4.07 pm so the starlings could come in at any time in the previous hour – they tend to arrive earlier if the weather is dull. They fly in over a 30 minute period so expect to leave around 5.00 when it will be dark. There is a café/flapjack kiosk but it is in the car park 10 minutes from the viewing point.
Anyone who just wants to see the murmuration can spend the day exploring Ham Wall or walk along a flat footpath to the Avalon Marshes centre 2 miles away where there is a nice café. Lots to see and several hides. Just let me know if this is what you are doing and I’ll provide a map.
If you search for ‘avalonmarshes.org’ you can find a dedicated page to Ham Wall (and other nearby reserves) where you can get a downloadable map of the site. Look under Wildlife – Nature Reserves – Ham Wall.
Please note:
Starling appearance cannot be guaranteed – they often perform here but sometimes elsewhere. Hopefully we will see them from a distance if they choose somewhere else.
Dogs welcome – no problem on the main walk (though short leads needed at many points due to livestock). The RSPB do allow dogs on the main footpaths at Ham but they are not allowed in the reed bed walks etc.
Bad weather – if it looks like weather is going to be poor I will cancel and book in again for after Christmas – we have all winter! Any cancellation will be centrally via Jen; I will also message anyone who has booked with me.
Please TEXT the walk leader to book a place.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT US USING THE EMAIL BUTTON ABOVE
Ham Wall RSPB reserve west of Glastonbury (also marked as Ashcroft Corner). You can come in on the A361 or the A39 (via Wells). Either way join A39 until you reach the roundabout signed towards the B3151 west to Wedmore. Follow this to Meare. Look out on the left for a small brown sign saying “Nature Reserve 85 yards” and then turn left into Ashcroft Road. A bit bumpy especially bridges over rhynes – drive slowly. Thirty-six miles (64 mins) from Trowbridge. I would advise allowing 90 mins. Car sharing is encouraged. Parking is free for RSPB members, £3.00 otherwise. No coins taken but you can pay by card on the machine.
