Hardington Moor National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Hardington Moor NNR near Yeovil is made up of three meadows on sloping ground of species-rich grassland,partly on calcareous clay-rich soils and bordered by established hedges. The meadows are home to more than 100 plant species, making the Hardington Moor reserve one of the finest remaining examples of neutral grassland in the whole of England. The nationally scarce French oat-grass is common throughout the reserve, and large numbers of green-winged orchid,corky-fruited water-dropwort and adder’s tongue fern can be found. Among the wealth of other orchids regularly recorded on the reserve are the common spotted, pyramidal, common twayblade, early purple, southern marsh, autumn lady’s tresses and greater butterfly. Butterflies seen on the site include the large skipper, green-veined white, green hairstreak, gatekeeper, common blue and small tortoiseshell. Habitat surveys have identified the presence of long-eared bats, nesting birds, slow worms,badgers and potentially dormice.

Location

East Coker

About the area

Somerset remains rural and unspoiled, and ever popular areas to visit are the limestone and red sandstone Mendip Hills rising to over 1,000 feet, and by complete contrast, to the south and southwest, the flat landscape of the Somerset Levels. Another popular spot, the Quantocks, once the haunt of poets Coleridge and Wordsworth, are noted for their gentle slopes, heather-covered moorland expanses and red deer.