HOLIDAYS  BUYING  HELPLINE Local knowledge: Somerset 2 Natural pleasures As you would expect from a county with such dramatic coastlines, beautifully bleak and high moorland, and fertile, flooded levels, Somerset has a bounty of stunning wildlife. Thankfully, certain areas are protected to ensure that these habitats flourish and show off the county's wild and domesticated animals at their best. Some are home to wildlife from further afield and will easily keep the whole family entertained. 1 RSPB West Sedgemoor Nature Reserve This reserve, near Bridgwater, consists of two types of habitat. There's ancient deciduous woodland in Swell Wood and 534 hectares of low-lying moorland. By far the most impressive time to visit is between March and June when Swell Wood is home to the largest colony of nesting grey herons in south-west England. There are dormice in the hazel coppice and the woods are carpeted with bluebells in spring. The moorland is one of England's largest remaining wet grazing meadows. The area is cut for hay and grazed by cattle, and as a result, the native wildlife flourishes. In winter, the fields flood and attract more than 50,000 waterfowl, including teal and lapwings. They can be viewed from bird hides and woodland walks. Children are welcome and some of the reserve is accessible to wheelchair users. 2 The Wildlife Park, Cricket St Thomas This wildlife park, between Chard and Crewkerne, is great fun for the children, and they'll learn a lot there, too. It plays an important role in ensuring that rare species, from all over the world, continue to thrive. An essential role of the park is the conservation of threatened species and it practises a captive breeding programme. Among the more fabulous exhibits are a group of lemurs and two rare Amur leopards from Russia. Fewer than 50 are left in their native country today. There is also a tropical aviary and an iguana centre. The park is set in lovely countryside, so perhaps the best way to take it all in is to climb aboard the safari railway. This way you'll be sure to spot the zebras, tapirs and ostriches along the way. 3 Wildlife Trust High in the heart of the Quantock Hills, Somerset Wildlife Trust runs a fine nature reserve in the grounds of the National Trust's Fyne Court which, from the 17th century, was home to the Crosse family. Today, visitors can wander through the grounds and spot the wealth of native wildlife there. Among the birds to be seen are blue tits, great tits and long-tailed tits, buzzards and nuthatches. You can see chiffchaffs in the summer, and great spotted woodpeckers nest here every year. There are also badgers, bats, stoats, weasels and butterflies. One of the reserve's walks is suitable for wheelchair users. 4 Home Farm If your children love animals, they'll adore Home Farm. It's just off the seafront at Blue Anchor Bay and is home to domesticated animals on a working farm, complete with all the related sounds and smells. Tony Bigwood and Alison Hart manage Home Farm. Tony has been farming here for almost half a century. The operators' enthusiasm is infectious, and their love of the animals is obvious. It's a very hands-on environment, enabling young visitors to get a closer look at the horses, donkeys, lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and chickens, rabbits and ducks. Then you can buy some of Home Farm's fantastic produce in the shop, such as the award-winning pork. 5 Wimbleball Lake The lake, which is run by the South West Lakes Trust, attracts sailors and anglers in their droves. Despite their presence, however, there's still a great deal of wildlife to see at this beautiful place. Inhabitants include butterflies, such as the speckled wood. At dusk you can see bats, and there are also herons and kingfishers. Other birds to look out for are coots and cormorants. There are ancient oaks and numerous varieties of grasses and wild flowers, such as the birdsfoot trefoil and various thistles. If you prefer to get away from the people, head for the hills where there are a number of marked walks. 6 Exmoor Falconry and Animal Farm As well as some fine birds which are indigenous to Somerset, including the buzzard, barn owl, kestrel and peregrine falcon, there are also many exotic birds which get to show off their aerial acrobatics twice daily. But the best part of the centre's activities is its hawk walks. For £30 you can take a guided ramble on Exmoor and watch hawks playing on the thermals and wheeling on the wind. You could also take part in a wildlife safari in one of the farm's 4x4s, or for £90 go on a clay pigeon shoot and falconry day. Back on the farm, children are allowed to bottle-feed lambs. There are also cockatoos, rats, a bearded dragon lizard and a 6ft Taiwanese beauty snake to handle. The antics of meerkats, a llama, polecats and ferrets are sure to keep you entertained. Then you can treat yourself to a cream tea or lunch, or visit the herb garden and shop. HOME PAGE | TOP OF PAGE GREAT ESCAPES   Old as the hills  Natural pleasures  Food, glorious food ARCHIVE   Previous trails FACTFILE: PLANNING Tourist information Bridgwater Tel 01278 427652 Chard Tel 01460 67453 Taunton Tel 01823 336344 Minehead Tel 01643 702524 Refreshments Wimbleball Lakes Tearoom near Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9NW Tel 01398 371372 Attractions RSPB West Sedgemoor Nature Reserve Dewlands Farm, Red Hill, near Langport, Somerset TA10 0PH Tel 01458 252805 The Wildlife Park at Cricket St Thomas, Chard, Somerset TA20 4DB Tel 01460 30111 Somerset Wildlife Trust Fyne Court, Broomfield, Bridgwater, Somerset TA5 2EQ Tel 01823 451587 Wimbleball Lake South West Lakes Trust, near Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9NW Tel 01398 371372 Home Farm Blue Anchor, nr Minehead, Somerset TA24 6JS Tel 01984 640817 Exmoor Falconry and Animal Farm Allerford, nr Porlock, Somerset TA24 8HJ Tel 01643 862816 HOLIDAYS  BUYING  HELPLINE Contact Practical Motorhome Best viewed in screen resolution 800 x 600 using I.E.4 or Netscape 4 or later.