About

Since 2024, a group of local residents have been working to improve former grazing land in Charlcombe Valley into a new community-run wildlife site, including a species-rich meadow and fragments of ancient woodland. The 16-acre reserve has footpaths that take visitors through beautiful fields, streams and woodland. 

The UK is now one of the most nature depleted countries on the planet and many species that we once took for granted are in trouble. This new reserve — the size of eight football pitches — gives local residents the chance to connect with and protect this incredible natural space. 

In the first year the focus has been on:    

• Improving access to the reserve by replacing a stile with a new kissing gate and installing new steps to improve access for walkers through the woodland area.

• Running citizen science projects - such as butterfly, bird and reptile surveys to identify and record species in the reserve. 

• Hosting walks for local residents, such as the Festival of Nature and the Bathscape Walking Festival.

• Leading 'Noticing walks' for local families to celebrate the reserve's beautiful landscape.

Thanks to B&NES council, this new reserve is open to the whole community. A dedicated team of around 20 local people — connected by a shared love of nature — work together voluntarily to improve access to the reserve, run events and help improve habitats for wildlife. 

Find out more and join us at one of our events!