Trip to Somerset Levels
Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th April 2017
6 places
Open to all years
6 places
Open to all years
New for spring 2017 is our overnight wildlife trip to the Somerset Levels, with wildlife watching in the famous reedbeds and marshes overlooked by Glastonbury Tor.
We will visit the Shapwick Heath reserve, RSPB Ham Wall, and the marshes around the Isle of Avalon - one of the finest remaining lowland wetlands left in Britain, where we hope to see Marsh Harriers, hear the 'booming' of Bitterns and experience the reedbeds resounding with a cacophony of bird song. Opportunities for wildlife watching and for photography will be superb!
Timings
We will leave school at 2pm on Saturday afternoon, travelling by minibus. Accommodation will be at the Old Pound in Langton, where bedding is provided and where will will have an evening meal on Saturday evening. Breakfast on Sunday morning is included in the accommodation cost.
We usually aim to stop at a reserve en-route to our destination, and will have a first outing in the area after dinner on Saturday night, aiming to see Little/Barn Owls dependent on local knowledge. We will wake early on Sunday morning (pre dawn) to go to the levels themselves, looking and listening for bitterns making their 'booming' call. After a later breakfast, we will visit Shapwick, Catcott and Westhay, before setting off back to school for a return around 6-7pm.
Cost
The total cost (for one night's bed and breakfast, entry to reserves, mileage and parking) will be £95. Breakfast is included with the accommodation, though pupils will need a packed lunch including drink for the outward journey, money for a pub meal on Saturday evening, and for purchasing some lunch on the return journey on Sunday (this will be bought en route). They may also wish to bring a small amount of cash (less than £20) for snacks and drinks.
Kit List
For the overnight stay pupils will need:
- toiletries
- sleeping bag (as some rooms may be double rather than twin)
- waterproof coat*
- waterproof trousers*
- good walking boots*/wellington boots
- layered (thermal) clothing including hat and gloves
- a change of clothes for relaxation time in the evening
- camera equipment and
- binoculars*
Booking
Places can be booked as usual on the SchoolGateway system. Please note that there is a limit of 6 pupils for the trip, and once that limit has been reached the trip will no longer be available on the system - early booking is strongly advised!
As stated above, the trip is available to pupils in any year; though please note that those involved in sporting (esp. cricketing) fixtures will be expected to prioritise these commitments. And finally...
Pupils and parents should both read the information on the Trips 'About' page (our 'Terms & Conditions') very carefully, especially regarding communication with pupils once a booking has been made: pupils must check their email to receive important updates, especially concerning the date and time of kit issue.
Location of Somerset Levels, inc. Glastonbury Tor and Shapwick Heath NNR