Shapwick Heath & Ham Wall Nature Reserve: Visit The Avalon Marshes

Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall RSPB Nature Reserve’s are a nature lovers paradise near Glastonbury. With secluded bird hides, peaceful walking trails and endless wildlife, there’s so much to discover right here on the majestic Avalon Marshes. It’s also a popular spot to watch the fascinating aerial dance of starling murmurations in Somerset too!

There’s also a lovely scenic cycle path which cuts directly through the reserves, eventually arriving right in the heart of Glastonbury. Providing you with a prime opportunity to trudge up the ancient slopes of Glastonbury Tor, or a moment to soak in the healing waters of the White Lady Spring Temple.

Although these wetland reserves are beautiful and thriving today. They have actually flourished and evolved from a once damaged landscape. An area that had been badly bitten and scarred from heavy peat excavations during the 20th century.

We’ve enjoyed many visits to Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall. Throughout various times and seasons, with each one offering something new. Whether that be in the animals you discover, the colours of the foliage or how mystical the landscape looks.

So, whether you’re coming on foot, bike, or bringing along your binoculars and camera for a day of wildlife photography. Here’s everything you need to know about Shapwick Heath & Ham Wall Nature Reserves.

In this article...

Is Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall the same place?

Sort of. I remember chatting to an old colleague, quickly catching up on what we did at the weekend before our boss told us to stop nattering. I mentioned that we did a walk at Shapwick Heath, and she told me that she was at the same place, yet she called it Ham Wall which got us a little confused! As it turns out, both reserves are adjacent to one another and you can walk between the two.

Even-though both of the reserves were created in the same way, there are subtle differences between the two. Ham Wall has big open stretches of water and large reed-beds, with lots of grassland and a children’s play area. Whereas Shapwick Heath has gorgeous wildflower meadows and a mystical woodland. Smaller reed-beds which fringe the water, and of course the fun replica Sweet Track!

Ham Wall & Shapwick Heath Nature Reserves

Walk along the Sweet Track at Shapwick Heath

The Sweet Track causeway once crossed an impressive 2km of boggy-swamp-like land. Enabling our neolithic ancestors to cross from Westhay (which back then was an island) over to the dry land. These suspended V-shaped wooden tracks were built without any modern day tools or saws. Super impressive when you think stone axes was their only tool to fabricate these with!

Although the original Sweet Track has gone, you can test out your balance skills and gain a little insight into the history of this area on the replica track.

To get to this part, you’ll need to follow the directional signs in Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve for the ‘Sweet Track Trail’.

The mystical path winds you through the dense bog and trees. You’ll also encounter another type of common trackway which was pegged in place using small wooden stakes.

Eventually you arrive at a gate which enters a large field, keep left and follow the trodden trail across the field. After the next gate, turn right. The replica track is just up there on your left.

This route is super pretty and an exciting one for children to enjoy. Keep an eye out for the sword in a stone along the way!

As you turn around and walk back off the replica Sweet Track. You can turn left which will take you past a peaceful picnic area beneath the trees. Continue going and you’ll end up at a dead end which takes you to a bird hide called ‘Decoy Hide’ which offers incredible views across the lake.

Retrace your steps and walk back past the replica Sweet Track. This time, instead of going back across the field, continue walking down the other path to complete the loop.

Eventually you will come back out on the main gravelled path, where you can decide to explore other paths or head back to the car.

If you just want to complete the Sweet Track loop, its about 2 miles long. You can follow my route on AllTrails:

Best time to visit and when are they open?

Bright summers, frozen winters, or hazy misty mornings? It’s hard to know which is best, as they all offer something unique!

Let’s start with Shapwick. Ultimately, the best time to visit will be completely dependant on what you’re wanting to see and do. If you’re coming to watch or photograph a certain animal, then you may find a particular month or time of day is when they venture from their nests or head out to feed.

As for general walking or cycling, I would say midday seems to be the busiest. So if you want a quieter time to wander and explore the reserve, then maybe arrive early morning or later in the afternoon. With that said, it’s never been heaving with people, even during middle of the day.

Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve is open 24/7, 365 days a year. Plus its free to enter!

As for Ham Wall, much the same as the above. Apart from you’ll need to consider the car-park opening times and charges. I’ll cover that next.

Ham Wall Nature Reserve car park

Don’t get locked in, the gates here are automatically closed at the following times. There is also a charge of £3 per vehicle, so bring your pennies. Although Ham Wall opens at 5am all year through, the closing times do vary, so take note of when you’re visiting. The toilets at this carpark are also open at the same times as below.

1st November – 31st January: 5am-6.30pm

1st February – 31st March: 5am-8pm

1st April – 30th August: 5am-10pm

1st September – 31st October: 5am-8pm

Carpark Address:

Ham Wall,Meare,Glastonbury,Somerset,BA6 9SX

What3Words: biggest.sharpened.clots

Where is Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall?

Both nature reserves are situated on the Avalon Marshes (which is part of the Somerset Levels and Moors) It’s roughly half way between the pretty villages of Ashcott and Meare. Or around a 10 minute drive from the colourful town of Glastonbury.

Ham Wall Nature Reserve & Shapwick Heath Water

Where to park for Shapwick Heath

There are two carparks for visiting this nature reserve, one is located at:

Ashcott Rd, Meare, Ashcott, Glastonbury BA6 9SX

You can also park at the Avalon Marshes Centre (which has a cafe and toilets) and is around a 400m walk along the road to reach the reserve.

Use the postcode BA6 9TT or the what3words: cave.logbook.icon

Or you can park in the lay-by right by the entrance to Shapwick Heath. The road to get here is on peat land, which means it constantly sinks and creates the most bumpy and uneven road. You’ll need to drive carefully to avoid damaging your car, especially if its low to the ground!

Sadly, it’s worth mentioning that cars have been broken in to at the carparks and layby. So don’t leave anything tempting on display.

Bittern Cycle Path From Shapwick Heath to Glastonbury

Are dogs allowed in the reserve?

No dogs are allowed in the Shapwick Heath nature reserve. However, dogs are allowed on a short lead along the public footpaths at the Ham Wall Nature Reserve.

Opposite the entrance to Shapwick Heath (on the other side of the road) there is a track beside the river where dogs are allowed.

Are there any toilets or cafe at Shapwick Heath?

There are facilities and a cafe at the Avalon Marshes Centre which is open 9-5 nearly all year. Or at the RSPB Ham Wall carpark, theres toilets which are open during the carpark opening times.

The Bittern Cycle path from Shapwick Heath to Glastonbury

The Bittern cycle and walking trail runs through Shapwick Nature Reserve, and brings you out in the colourful, quirky town of Glastonbury.

There are a few sections along the route where you cycle along B roads, but they are generally pretty quiet with minimal traffic and passing cars. The majority of the route is along pedestrian gravel paths and tracks, which are mostly flat and easy to complete. Making it an enjoyable, fairly relaxed cycle on a sunny day. It’s also amazing the amount of ground you can cover on a bike over walking.

I would say that it’s not overly challenging, so if your children have the stamina to go the distance – then this could be a good one for them to join in with.

What wildlife you can expect to see here?

Both Shapwick and Ham Wall are teeming with wildlife, with over 50 species of birds and other animals calling this place home. Here’s just a few that you can expect to see:

Swans, kingfishers, water voles, pink-foot goose, lots of ducks, marsh harrier, frogs, dragon flies, horseshoe bats, otters, Cetti’s warbler, and tawny owls.

Wildlife at Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve

Other walks to do near Shapwick Heath

As you’re so close to Glastonbury, the obvious choice would be Glastonbury Tor. Yet there’s so many other lovely Somerset walks to do nearby.

You could head over to Cheddar Gorge, Ebbor Gorge, Burrow Mump. Or if you’re happy to venture a little further afield; check out my post on the 8 best short walks to do in Somerset.

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