Swell Wood is home to the biggest heronry is the South West of England and is a fantastic place to come and see over 100 hundred nesting herons in the spring.
We are about to start work on a brand new viewing facility which will give visitors brilliant views of the heronry. This means that the existing hide will be closed from 19 September and we are planning to open the new one at the beginning of November. The car park and all other woodland trails will remain open as normal so you can still enjoy the autumn colours and amazing views across the Somerset Levels.
The new building is being constructed using both local and sustainable materials and and will be complete with a green roof. The pupils at Curry Mallet school have also been invited to help make a cob wall as part of the building.
We are also looking for volunteers to help with some of the work during October including laying the stone floor and path and helping with the roof. If you are interested in helping out please contact us at swell.wood@rspb.org.uk
The building has been made possible with thanks to an in memoriam donation from a family whose parents lived and taught in the local area and often visited Swell Wood
The building has been designed with angled seating and a wide viewing area to get the best possible views in to the heronry whilst minimising disturbance to the birds.