Ebbor Gorge

Ebbor Gorge

A heavily wooded gorge on the western edge of the Mendip Hills, Ebbor nature reserve offers excellent walks through ash woods and a superb view out over the Somerset Levels. The 41 ha reserve is cleft by two steep-sided valleys.

The main valley is Ebbor Gorge, carved from limestone. Set into the cliffs are two caves where bones dating to the Ice age have been discovered. Though most of the woodland is ash and maple, there are ancient pockets of wych elm, oak, hazel, hornbeam, and beech trees, as well as swaths of limestone grasslands. This is a quiet place, almost eerily so at times.

The second valley in the reserve is Hope Wood, which, unlike Ebbor, has a stream running through it. The damp environment makes this quite a different eco-culture, with over 250 species of ferns and fungi. A special effort has been made to encourage the woodland butterfly population, and horseshoe bats often nest in the gorge.

There are several trails in and around the Gorge, but the main trail is a two-mile route through the heart of the gorge and woodland.  Longer circular walks to or from Wells and Wookey Hole can easily be accomplished in a day.

When to Visit

The best times to visit are in the spring when the wildflowers are at their best, and in the autumn, when the colours are vibrant.

Free entry