08:30 2 Boot Avalon Marshes Circular (hopefully with Starling murmuration!) (Joint Walk)

Event Date: Sun 12 January 2025
Event Time: 08:30

This walk is in the past.

Following the success of this walk last year, join me for a bracing winter wander around the stunning Avalon Marshes on the Somerset Levels! This circular walk initially heads south towards the village of Ashcott, then strikes west across farmland before turning northwards towards the village of Shapwick and on towards Shapwick Heath, where we'll stop at the excellent cafe at the Avalon Marshes centre for a well-earned hot drink and snack. Finally, we'll strike eastwards across Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve and its amazing wetlands, arriving back at the car park in time for some birdwatching at Ham Wall RSPB reserve opposite should anyone fancy it.

As Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath are renowned for the stunning Starling murmuration displays during the winter months, anyone who wants to is welcome to stay and enjoy this stunning spectacle. I can't guarantee it, naturally, but murmurations can occur nightly at either site in good weather, so please do bring any binoculars you may have as there is so much to see!

For those wanting to just attend the starling murmuration, it usually starts to build around sunset, which on 12th January is at 16:29, although I would suggest arriving no later than 15:30/15:45, as the car parks at both Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath can get absolutely rammed! We'll aim to be back at the car park for 16:00 at the latest.

Bring packed lunch. Cafe to finish

Bring packed lunch. Cafe to finish.

Group: Joint
Walk Leader: Andy S.

Walk Grade: 2 Boot
Walk Length: 11 miles (6 hours (ish, including breaks but not travel))

Date: Sun 12 Jan 2025
Meet: 08:30 at The Watertower (Clifton)

If sharing lifts passengers are expected to contribute towards petrol costs. Please bring coins or be prepared to make a bank transfer. As a guide, 30p/mile shared by everyone in the car.

Alternative meeting point: 09:30 at Shapwick Heath Car Park
Please contact the walk leader if you will be meeting them there.

Route: No route submitted. Do you have a .GPX file of this walk? Upload it here to add to our walk library.

Event Date:

How do I join the walk?

Unless stated on the walk page, there is no need to sign up to join a walk. You’re very welcome to try out 1 or 2 walks before you join, but we do insist that after that you join the Brunel Walking Group.

On many walks you can just turn up at the meeting point where we will share lifts to the start of the walk. It’s OK if you don’t drive – we normally have enough drivers who are able to give lifts. Some walks you will need to make your way to walk start or you can post on our facebook group to ask if you can share a lift there. 

If sharing lifts passengers are expected to contribute towards petrol costs. Please bring coins or be prepared to make a bank transfer. As a guide, 30p/mile shared by everyone in the car. 

How do I know what to bring? And am I fit enough?

We provide a full recommended kit list here.  Please do bring water, a rainproof jacket, walking trousers (or similar) and walking shoes/boots – avoid jeans and trainers.

Walks are graded as either 1 boot, 2 boot or 3 boot.  Read more about choosing the right walk for your fitness level here,

About Brunel Walking Group

Brunel Walking Group is for young(ish) people in the Bristol and Bath area who love the countryside and like to get outside on a weekend. All of our walk leaders and committee members are volunteers, dedicated to sharing our fantastic countryside with others.  Read more on our FAQs page