A NEW nature walk in Chedzoy officially opened to the public yesterday (Sunday, April 3) with guided walks, orienteering, candle making, and other free activities. 

Chedzoy Nature Walk is made up of five different habitats that provide homes for more than 100 different species of plants and trees. 

The 3.2 kilometre nature walk also has easy access gates, clear signage, resting areas, walking guides, and plant ID labels. 

The walk was made possible by a group of volunteers from the Chedzoy Fair Share Project, and it was funded by Somerset County Council's Climate Emergency Community Fund. 

The volunteers aim to encourage education through access to nature and hope to inspire the local community to "observe, think, learn, and create change".

The habitats include Flower Lanes (along Front Street), Meeting Place (within the village's playing fields), Whittling Wood (behind the church), Community Orchard (on Greens Corner), and Foraging Lanes (new trees and foliage on the way back into the village).

Highlights of the new nature walk include a hedgehog house and a bug hotel at Meeting Place, locally grown heritage trees at the new Community Orchard, small mammal habitats at Whittling Wood, and three new horse chestnut trees at Foraging Lanes. 

For more information on the new nature walk and the Chedzoy Fair Share Project, visit www.facebook.com/chedzoyfairshare.

Gallery: Official opening of Chedzoy Nature Walk

Bridgwater Mercury: Elliott, Annette and Miles Potter visit one of the stalls at the official opening. Pictures: Steve RichardsonElliott, Annette and Miles Potter visit one of the stalls at the official opening. Pictures: Steve Richardson

Bridgwater Mercury: Catherine and Tobias Cowlin building a bird box.Catherine and Tobias Cowlin building a bird box.

Bridgwater Mercury: Visitors Jess and Albert Crook with Henry Post.Visitors Jess and Albert Crook with Henry Post.

Bridgwater Mercury: Volunteers Laura Chandler, Sally Howes, Russell Harmes and Lesley Harmes serve refreshments to visitors.Volunteers Laura Chandler, Sally Howes, Russell Harmes and Lesley Harmes serve refreshments to visitors.

Bridgwater Mercury: Alisha and Theo Ryan with Peter Dodge from the Chedzoy volunteer group.Alisha and Theo Ryan with Peter Dodge from the Chedzoy volunteer group.

Bridgwater Mercury: Aidan, Connor and Ethan O’Callaghan making Elder Bees.Aidan, Connor and Ethan O’Callaghan making Elder Bees.

Bridgwater Mercury: Visitors and volunteers celebrate the opening of the village's new nature walk. Picture: Chedzoy Fair Share ProjectVisitors and volunteers celebrate the opening of the village's new nature walk. Picture: Chedzoy Fair Share Project