Rodney Stoke NNR
Rodney Stoke NNR is an ash/lime woodland on the southern scarp of the Mendip Hills.
County: Somerset
Main habitats: Woodland
Area: 35 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
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The woodland is in two separate blocks (Big Stoke and Little Stoke) linked by an area of abandoned fields which has turned to scrub.
To obtain a leaflet describing this site, email Natural England's Somerset office, or telephone 01823 283211.
The site has an abundance of small-leaved lime, all of which is of coppice origin. The woods show evidence of coppice management in the past, including the presence of charcoal hearths.
The ground flora of the woodland is dominated by dog's mercury, ivy and bluebell, but hart's-tongue fern, ground ivy and enchanter's nightshade are also present. Some species seen here - such as wood anemone, nettled-leaved bellflower, meadow saffron and wood spurge - are characteristic of ancient woodland. Other plants of note include herb paris, spurge laurel and two nationally rare plants, purple gromwell and endemic whitebeam, are also found here.
Pipistrelle and noctule bats roost in the woods and breeding birds include buzzard and spotted flycatcher.
Butterflies seen here include marbled white, purple hairstreak, brown argus and grayling.
Location and access
The reserve is 8 km north west of Wells, almost immediately adjacent to the village of Rodney Stoke on the A371.
By car, the site is accessed via minor roads from the A371.
By train, the easiest route is to Weston-super-Mare station then the Wells bus (No 126) to Rodney Stoke. Train services are provided by Wessex Trains. Local bus services are provided by First Group.
Two major trails pass near the reserve, the Mendip Way and the Samaritans Way (South West) a 210 km trail from Bristol to Lynton.
Rodney Stoke is also on the proposed Route 26 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Facilities
A public footpath crosses the reserve but access beyond this is by permit only.
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in local villages.
