Avalon Marshes Centre, Somerset

Details

Accessibility

Disability Parking

Disability Toilet

Brief description

"The centre is at the site of the former Peat Moors Centre which shut several years ago.

The Avalon Marshes Centre sits at the heart of Somerset’s Avalon Marshes. Owned and managed by Natural England the centre has visitor information, café, craft shop, replica historic buildings, classroom, meeting room, car park and toilets. It is also an important focus for educational and other events and is the central hub for the management of the Avalon Marshes nature reserves providing a base for the RSPB, Somerset Wildlife Trust, the Hawk & Owl Trust and Natural England. The replica buildings are in the care of the South West Heritage Trust. The centre provides a good base from which to Explore the area and has undergone significant improvements in recent years with more to come.  

A short walk up the road is Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve (NNR); close by are Ham Wall NNR, Shapwick Moor, Catcott Complex and Westhay Moor NNR. All are within easy cycling distance and have car parking. To find out more go to our Nature Reserve pages.

The Avalon Marshes Centre is linked to Glastonbury by the Bittern Trail. This almost entirely traffic free cycle track through Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall NNRs and links into National Cycle Route 3.

At the Centre you will find two replica buildings under construction. One is a Romano British dining room with a working hypocaust, the other a Saxon longhall based on the 9th century Saxon Royal Palace at Cheddar. These buildings have been constructed by the South West Heritage Trust with their Hands on Heritage volunteers. The buildings were funded by the Heritage Lottery funded Avalon Marshes Landscape Partnership Scheme. They are currently only open to view inside for special events only – keep an eye on our Events page. You can however view them from the garden at the Centre.

In addition, the site also boasts the Bulleid and Gray hut, which formed the base for the archaeological excavations at the Lake Villages. These were undertaken by archaeologists Bulleid and Gray, in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.  The hut was part of the Peat Moors Centre, which closed a few years ago, but is to be relocated next to the two new replica buildings."

Avalon Marshes Partnership

Avalon Marshes Centre

Shapwick Road

Westhay

Glastonbury BA6 9TT

Email

info@avalonmarshes.org

Phone

01458 860556

Website

http://avalonmarshes.org/explore/avalon-marshes-centre/

Directions

"By Bike:

Route 3 of the National Cycle Network runs through the heart of the area linking Glastonbury, Wells, Bridgwater and Taunton. Route 33 provides a link with Highbridge station and Route 26 a link with Castle Cary station. The Bittern Trail track links the Avalon Marshes Centre with Glastonbury and runs through the centre of Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall nature reserves. To find out more go to our cycling page.  http://avalonmarshes.org/explore/plan-your-visit/#anchor-getting-around  Getting Around:

Cycling is the best way to explore the wider Avalon Marshes. The roads, tracks and droves are flat and most are quiet. The Avalon Marshes Centre makes a good base to explore from. To find out more about cycling in the Avalon Marshes go to our Cycling page.

Walking is also a great way to explore the nature reserves, adjoining villages and wider countryside. To find out more go to our Walking page. The nature reserves have tracks, trails and  boardwalks some of which are wheelchair and pushchair friendly. To find out more go to our Nature Reserves pages

By Car:

There is good road access to the Avalon Marshes via the M5, A303 and A39. The Avalon Marshes Centre is sign posted from the A39 and B3151 (the Glastonbury to Wedmore road).  The principal nature reserves all have car parks and there is plenty of parking in Glastonbury and Street."

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Transport

"Bus:

The FirstBus Service 375/376 links Glastonbury, Street and Wells with Bristol, Yeovil and Bridgwater. From Glastonbury the local service no 662 passes through Meare and Westhay to Wedmore.

Train

The nearest stations to the Avalon Marshes and Glastonbury are: Bridgwater, Highbridge, Castle Cary and Taunton. For more information go to National Rail Enquiries website. National Cycle Routes 3, 26 and 33 combined with the Bittern Trail provide cycling routes between these stations, The Avalon Marshes Centre and Glastonbury."

Amenities

Nature Reserve

Disability Parking

Disability Toilet

Parking

Shop

Toilets

Cafe

Visitor Centre

Snack Bar / Take Away