Quantock Hills. An Area of Outstanding Beauty

Quantocks AONB hosted a visit by Young Rangers from the Mendip hills AONB.

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A continued spell of dry sunny weather has meant that the hills have been a popular destination with visitors since half term.

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Rangers led a walk at the weekend from Staple Plain (via Beacon Hill and Smith’s Combe) down to the coast at East Quantoxhead.  The weather was glorious and views fro the hills were stunning.

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Pupils from Year 6 at Nether Stowey Primary School ‘escaped’ the classroom to look at erosion issues on the hilltops as part of their school project.

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Under a new Conservation Grazing Scheme, Exmoor Ponies are being introduced onto Lydeard Hill.  Lydeard Hill is part of the Cothelstone Estate and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest representing important heathland, plants and animals.

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The Quantock Hills AONB hosted a conference on Ticks & Tick Borne diseases at Halsway Manor on Tuesday.

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It was disappointing to find the remains of an illegal camp at Sandy Beds (part of Somerset County Council’s Amenity Land Estate). 

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The recent dry weather has allowed part of the circular trail around Cothelstone Hill to be improved.

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The last day of the Easter Holidays was sunny and dry … the perfect day for people to enjoy our beautiful hills before the children return to school.  However … recent fires on the hills have made it important for Rangers to maintain a vigilant watch out for any fire potential.

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Spring seems to have finally arrived and Rangers Tim Russell and Andy Harris began the season with a concerted litter pick between Cothelstone and The Pines.

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Along with all our other Bank Holiday incidents, we were also able to help a woman who had sustained a serious ankle injury in the woods near Lady’s Fountain.

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A double bank holiday weekend gave people plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and the Quantocks are stunning in spring time.

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Over the next three weeks Rangers will be out on the hills organising the annual swaling programme.  Swaling (heather burning) is carried out to maintain the nationally important heathlands that the Quantocks are so well known for.

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Glorious weather brought many visitors out onto the hills at the weekend. 

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Rangers had thought they had seen almost everything on the hills . . .

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Water was also delivered to one other hill resident whose own water supply had frozen up!  The ability to get out and about on the quad bike has proved invaluable and allowed access to the hilltops and ensured that the AONB Service herd of Exmoor Ponies on Cothelstone Hill have been checked on a daily basis.

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Having been called out over Christmas and the New Year to try to retrieve recreational 4x4 vehicles stuck on the hills far from the nearest road, the Rangers would like to remind potential users that it is illegal to drive off-road on the Quantocks without the specific permission of the landowner.

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Christmas and New Year is generally a busy time for the Rangers …

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High winds, wet ground and stormy conditions have caused plenty of tree damage throughout the AONB. 

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A beautiful autumn day attracted large numbers of visitors to the hills. Car parks were full to bursting and walkers, cyclists and horse riders seemed to be making the most of the welcome break in recent stormy weather!

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Being out and about brings you into contact with all sorts of people enjoying and using the hills.

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Rangers have regular joint patrols of the hills with local Police Officers, working together to maintain a profile and to deal with issues as they arise.  On Tuesday evening I went out on patrol with PCSO Sue Marks who covers the West Somerset part of the AONB.

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Any school and public holidays tend to be a busy time for the Rangers … the hills can be extremely busy.

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Fun Guys:
It’s been a busy few days … filming with the BBC, out on weekend patrol with Volunteer and Foraging for Fungi!

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People may have seen the pretty comprehensive report of the deer rut from Andy … he’s currently in Scotland on leave, probably watching the deer rut!

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High pressure meant clear skies and wonderful visibility.  The trees are just beginning to turn and the hill was pretty busy with people taking advantage of the great weather. 

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