Winter Wonder Walk at Heal Somerset

Join us for a revitalising winter stomp around your local rewilding site at Heal Somerset.

Winter can be a challenging season — for both us and the wildlife around us — but it also offers a uniquely beautiful chance to connect with nature. With trees bare of leaves, it's easier to spot our resident and overwintering birds, and the muddy ground provides the perfect canvas for spotting the footprints of elusive animals like badgers, foxes, deer, and perhaps even our wild-living beavers.

Led by expert wildlife guide Nick Patel, you'll explore the sights and sounds of winter wildlife, while gaining insight into how rewilding is already transforming the landscape and supporting biodiversity at Heal Somerset.

We'll meet at 10am in the visitor car park before heading out on the walk. Afterwards, warm up in our farmhouse with light refreshments — and maybe even a festive treat or two — as you chat with Nick and fellow walkers about the morning’s discoveries.

Festive hats and seasonal outfits are warmly welcomed — but entirely optional!

What you might spot: siskin, chiffchaff, treecreeper, long-tailed tit, kestrel, short-eared owl, snipe, lapwing, linnet, fieldfare

About your guide, Nick Patel:

Nick is a tour guide, conservationist, naturalist and birder and is passionate about helping to protect, create and maintain British wildlife. A lifelong birdwatcher, and former nature reserve warden, Nick has devoted his life to shouting about how amazing our native biodiversity is and just why we should care for it.

Nick says "Having led tours here at Heal Somerset for two years now, I’ve witnessed first-hand the speed at which nature has already made a comeback. I’m super passionate about showing everyone who visits the site the wealth of wildlife bouncing back, including some really beautiful species and fabulous rewilding habitats."

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

9.55am: Meet at visitors' carpark

10am: Walk begins

12pm: Refreshments at farmhouse

CLOTHING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
We recommend you bring binoculars if you have them and that you wear sturdy boots as thanks to our wild-living beavers, it may be wet underfoot. Bring some warm layers. We will advise on weather in the run-up to the 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 babiesWe recommend a minimum age of 12 for this walk but it is down to parent/guardian. Babies in slings are welcome at this event for free (the site is not pushchair-friendly in a lot of areas). Please contact events@healrewilding.org.uk for more information about bringing children.

Dogs
Though we welcome assistance dogs, you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.Supporting HealPlease 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, and 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 (included in your ticket price).

Photo credit: Frost web image by Alex Sams, Providence Ecological