A new nature reserve, Hollybrook, is being developed as part of the Strawberry Line, a popular walking and cycling route crossing rural Somerset. This ambitious project aims to enhance local biodiversity while providing a tranquil space for visitors.
The Strawberry Line currently runs uninterrupted from Yatton railway station to Cheddar and is planned to extend to Collett Park in Shepton Mallet. In summer 2023, a short extension between Westbury-sub-Mendip and Easton, located midway between Cheddar and Wells, was completed. This segment sees around 50,000 users annually.
Volunteers from the Strawberry Line Society, alongside Greenways and Cycle Routes, are transforming part of this stretch into the Hollybrook nature reserve. Named after the nearby river, the reserve lies between the cycling path and homes along the busy A371, accessible through an arch near Erlon Lane, a remnant of the Cheddar Valley railway line.
Mick Fletcher, chairman of the Strawberry Line Society, highlighted the rich wildlife inhabiting the reserve, including badgers, rabbits, foxes, birds, and deer. The reserve is reached via a historic ‘accommodation bridge’ once used by farmers to move livestock across the railway track.
Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Somerset Levels from benches atop the bridge, overlooking Panborough and Wedmore. Recent efforts by volunteers include fencing off parts of the two-acre site to protect local species from disturbance by people and pets.
Fletcher emphasized that nature conservation was integral to the project from the outset. “Installing a path over grass reduces biodiversity, but by creating dedicated nature spaces and planting hedges and ponds, we ensure a net gain for local wildlife,” he said.
A community tree-planting event is scheduled for January 3, inviting families to help plant hedges and trees that will also provide privacy for both wildlife and nearby residents. Future plans include creating a picnic area, improving accessibility with smoother paths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and further planting to introduce new species.
“The Strawberry Line’s purpose is not only to connect communities and provide countryside access but also to enhance opportunities for nature and biodiversity,” Fletcher explained.
Somerset Council is expected to announce additional grant funding soon to support the Strawberry Line and the Somerset Circle cycle routes.
For those interested in participating in the Hollybrook planting day, the event takes place on Saturday, January 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The reserve is a short walk from parking areas at Easton Village Hall or Station Road in Westbury-sub-Mendip.