Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve

Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve

Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve
Upper Milton
Wookey Hole
Wells
Somerset
BA5 3AH

Tel: 01749 672 552
Fax: 01749 670 869
E-Mail: touristinfo@wells.gov.uk

Web: Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve

About Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve

Craggy limestone outcrops, Limestone scree slopes and lush wooded valleys are on offer in this Mendip reserve. Some 200,000 years ago the huge cavern that formed Ebbor Gorge collapsed and left behind a number of small caves where reindeer, cave bear and wolf remains have been discovered. Artefacts and bones from Neolithic people who sheltered in these caves 5000 years ago are on show at Wells museum.
Three trails are available. The 2km red route takes about 1 hour and includes a strenuous scramble up the gorge. Robust footwear is recommended. The 1km black route takes you along a woodland ramble lush with ferns, mosses and fungi. It takes about half an hour. The easy access blue route takes about 15 minutes and is ideal for wheel chairs and pushchairs.
The nature reserve is an ash woodland, with many other species present, including oak, wych elm, field maple, whitebeam, beech, hornbeam and hazel. Nettle Leaved Bellflower is present in the gorge. While the bulk of the NNR consists of ash/maple woodland, there are a number of woodland glades and areas of limestone grassland. Parts of the NNR are ancient woodland while other areas are secondary woodlands that have grown on previously grazed land.
The humidity within Hope Wood valley makes it ideal for ferns and fungi, and