Family Reptile Adventure

Calling all children with a sense of adventure and a curiosity about the natural world.

Do you have a child who loves discovering wildlife? Join our brilliant volunteer reptile surveyor, Lynne Sewell, for a small-group Family Reptile Adventure, where you'll explore the fascinating world of Britain's native reptiles.

Lynne knows all the best places to look and will lead a gentle walk around Heal Somerset, sharing her knowledge of the reptiles that call the site home. Along the way, you'll learn how to spot and identify different species, discover the habitats they depend on and keep an eye out for plenty of other summer wildlife too.

The walk also takes in our thriving wetlands, where you'll be able to see the remarkable changes our resident beavers have been making to the landscape and you may even meet our friendly, wild-living tamworth pigs, Ticket and Tailor.

Lizards and other species you might see: At Heal, we have recorded common lizard, slow worm, grass snake, common toad and all three native newt species: smooth newt, palmate newt and great crested newt. You can also expect to see dragonflies, butterflies, birds and a host of other summer wildlife.

All photos taken by Lynne Sewell at Heal Somerset

About your guide, Lynne

Lynne has been interested in reptiles and amphibians for as long as she can remember. As a child, she would lift rocks or discarded sheets of corrugated iron in the hope of finding reptiles sheltering beneath them. Lynne says "on one memorable occasion, I even jumped into a lake to catch a grass snake which I then took home to my long-suffering parents! That fascination has stayed with me throughout my life, and I still feel a thrill whenever I lift something that might be hiding a reptile or amphibian underneath. I feel lucky to be able to regularly survey for reptiles at Heal".

LOCATION

Heal Somerset is in a very rural location, a few miles from Bruton, Frome, the A303 and the Wiltshire border, at Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Witham Friary, BA11 5HH. Directions will be sent in a confirmation email.

TIMINGS

10am: Meet at our Community Nature Cabin for welcome, refreshments and introduction from Lynne

10.30am: Walk and reptile spotting

12pm: Refreshments and end

CLOTHING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

We recommend you bring binoculars if you have them for the walking part of this event

We recommend that you wear sturdy boots as thanks to our wild-living beavers, it may be wet underfoot. Bring sunscreen, antihistamines if you need them and ticks will be about so we suggest long trousers. We will advise on weather in run up to event.

ACCESSIBILITY

The site is not yet wheelchair-accessible, but we do have one all-terrain mobility scooter available. If you would like to use this, please let us know ahead of the event.

If you use an assistance dog, your dog will be welcome.

If you have any additional questions about accessibility please email events@healrewilding.org.uk.

OTHER THINGS

Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel this event and either refund you or book you into an alternative date. This would be due to a very poor weather forecast or illness and will be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Please note, tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.

Children and babies

Babies in slings are welcome to attend for free (the site is not pushchair-friendly in a lot of areas). Please contact events@healrewilding.org.uk for more information about bringing babies. 

Dogs

We welcome assistance dogs but you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.

Supporting Heal

Please note, all proceeds from your ticket price will go towards supporting the work of Heal.

You'll also have the chance to become a Friend of Heal and to donate to support our work.

Special ticketing

If you are unwaged, a student or living on a very low income and the cost of attending is prohibitive, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk as we may be able to support your attendance. Please note this may not always be possible.

Local accommodation

There are lots of places to stay in and around Frome and Bruton, you can find information for some of them here

Transport

The remote rural location means that travelling here by car is the most practical option and there will be car parking available for all tour participants.