Catcott: Nature Reserve and Village History

A trip to Catcott offers nature and architectural history as distinct areas of interest. Catcott Nature Reserve comprises wetlands and two named sections; in the village, listed buildings and their history offer another focus. Getting around is also distinctive: Route 3 of the National Cycle Network runs through Catcott, which lies about 1.5 miles south of the reserve.

Wetlands at Catcott Nature Reserve

The reserve includes Catcott Lows and Catcott Heath. Its landscape features traditional hay meadows, wet woodland, wet grazing marshes, and a wetland with reed and marsh vegetation. The nature-focused part of a trip is therefore shaped by different habitat types, rather than just one view or stretch of path. Those interested in wetlands will find both open water and extensive reedbeds as recurring landmarks.

Paths and getting around the reserve

The “Coot” trail is three kilometres long and forms a loop around open water and reedbeds. The “Roe Deer” trail follows a boardwalk to an amphitheatre and then returns to the “Coot” trail. Both trails also provide access to the Tower Hide. From there, the view takes in open water and a large reedbed. The hide is 1.3 kilometres from the car park; this figure describes its distance from the car park, while three kilometres is the length of the circular trail.

The reserve’s car park can be reached via the minor road between Catcott and Burtle. As road and path conditions can change, check them before your visit. The route may also change because of maintenance work or wet weather. This will help you plan your way around the site without confusing the distance to the hide with the length of a circular route.

Listed buildings and architectural history

The Church of St Peter is Grade I listed. St Peter’s Church in Catcott is accessed via footpaths; from King William Road and Manor Road, signposts point to the entrance. Check current access arrangements before your visit. Catcott War Memorial is a Grade II listed structure: the limestone war memorial dates from around 1920 and features statues of a soldier and a sailor. It is also considered part of a conservation group with the Church of St Peter.

Several houses also illustrate different periods of construction. Dial House dates from the 15th or 16th century and was altered in the 19th and 20th centuries; a considerable part of its medieval roof, with traces of smoke blackening, survives. The Old House is a Grade II listed house dating from the 16th or 17th century, which was extensively altered in the early 19th century. The Manor House and Forecourt Wall dates from the 17th and 18th centuries and was altered in the 19th and 20th centuries; the house is also Grade II listed. Other Grade II listed buildings include Hill Farmhouse and King William Inn.

Planning your trip to Catcott

When looking for a hotel for a trip to Catcott, you can plan around the interests you want to shape your stay. For nature, the circular trail, boardwalk and viewpoint offer different options; for a cultural and historical focus, the listed buildings and their construction periods are key. Distances within the reserve also refer to different things: three kilometres is the length of the “Coot” trail loop, while 1.3 kilometres is the distance from the car park to the Tower Hide.

Discover more destinations: Porlock, Stawley, North Petherton, Horsington, Laverton, Lydford, Nether Stowey, Brompton Regis.

For the broader travel overview: Somerset.