Ebor 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

About Ebbor Gorge
Address: Deer Leap, Wookey Hole, Somerset, England, BA5 1AY
Attraction Type: Countryside
Location: From the A371 Wells to Cheddar Road, follow signs to Wookey Hole. Pass the Wookey Hole Caves and continue for another mile, bearing right up Deer Leap Road. The car park is on the right. You can also reach the gorge from Priddy.
Website: Ebbor Gorge
Email: somerset@naturalengland.org.uk
English Nature
Location map
OS: ST528477
Photo Credit: Rog Frost, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest

Milton Lodge Gardens - 1.3 miles (Garden) Heritage Rating

Burcott Mill - 1.4 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

Wells Cathedral - 1.8 miles (Cathedral) Heritage Rating

Wells Bishop's Palace - 1.9 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

Emborough, Blessed Virgin Mary Church - 5.6 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Meare Fish House - 5.7 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

Glastonbury Tribunal - 5.8 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Glastonbury Tor - 5.8 miles (Countryside) Heritage Rating



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