Draycott Sleights
Enjoy a large variety of flora and fauna in this delightful nature reserve in Somerset. The reserve has some nice footpaths with great views over the Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels to enjoy.
The expansive area of limestone downloand is great for wildlife spotting. Look out for chalkhill blue butterflies, brown hares and birds including skylark and meadow pipit. It's very beautiful in the summer months with wildflowers including bee orchids and horseshoe vetch to enjoy.
You can start your walk from the village of Draycott just south of Cheddar. Follow the waymarked West Mendip way up into the reserve which reaches a height of 270 m (890 ft). From these high points there are wide ranging views over the surrounding countryside.
The West Mendip Way crosses the reserve so you can pick this up to extend your walking in the area. The Rodney Stoke National Nature Reserve is just to the south while heading north will take you to the wonderful Cheddar Gorge.
Also nearby is the lovely limestone nature reserve at Ebbor Gorge.
Postcode
BS27 3SQ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsDraycott Sleights Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Draycott Sleights Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Draycott Sleights OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Draycott Sleights Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
In Draycott village there's the Strawberry Special Inn for some post walk refreshments. The pub is situated opposite the disused railway station and includes a room with old railway photos.
There's also the White Hart in nearby Cheddar (Postcode:BS27 3QN). Here you can enjoy a ploughman's lunch and a decent pint of Cheddar Ale in the nice beer garden.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The circular Priddy Walk starts from the interesting village, just to the east of the reserve. It visits the Ebbor Gorge and a series of other local highlights including the ancient Priddy Nine Barrows, the Priddy Mineries Nature Reserve and Wookey Hole. There's also a fine 19th century village inn for some post walk refreshment.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Mendip Hills Walks, Somerset Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The rocky outcrops are carboniferous black rock limestone.
Draycott Sleights is a Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)and a County Wildlife Site. The reserve is within the Mendips Scarp Prime Biodiversity Area (PBA) and Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). In Draycott Sleights the flora is diverse with over 200 species recorded, including more than 40 notable species. Additionally, it has a very high appeal to visitors because it has panoramic views which look out across the Somerset Levels to Dorset, Exmoor and South Wales.
This row of beech trees at the Draycott Sleights nature reserve runs along the Mendip hillside just below the top and above the village of Draycott. It can be clearly seen from several miles away when down on the Somerset Levels.
Batcombe Hollow is a dry valley on the south facing slopes of the Mendip Hills just north of the village of Draycott. The bedrock here is dolomitic conglomerate. The footpath up the valley is the route of the West Mendip way.
Cattle pasture on the Mendips
Entrance Passage of Draycott Cave. View along the entrance passage of Draycott Cave looking towards the entrance, near the village of Draycott.
Hillside in the reserve.
The 'Strawberry Special' pub in the village of Draycott on the western side of the reserve.