From time to time we can offer guests the chance to experience one of the natural phenomena that a busy modern lifestyle causes most of us to miss.
Weekends in December and January as conditions permit.
From 1 hour upwards depending on conditions.
Trout and Salmon make their nests in many places nearby, some of them are very large fish. The exact locations depend on water conditions at spawning time. If the rivers are not in flood the nests are easy to spot but the fish themselves are shy and seeing them may require patience. Warm clothing, waterproof boots and polarising glasses are required for this event. Last year a hen salmon of about 5kg made a redd within sight of the front door of The Casterbridge.
1 to 3 miles, sometimes closer with wheelchair access.
Weekends, some evenings as the days lengthen.
1 - 2 hours.
This isn't really a wildlife event but the winter provides an excellent chance to inspect the remains of the extensive water meadow systems in the Frome Valley and the remarkable engineering that enabled them. You will see the carriers, the interleaved mains and drains, the hatches and the wares and some of the myriad of tiny bridges that were used to access the meadows. We may have time to see brick or earthen aqueducts, still working sluices and other structures.
2 - 4 miles. Clothing suitable for wet, muddy walking required.
If you didn't understand everything above then Farm Direct's Water Meadow pages explain the basics.
E-mail reception for more details.
Wildlife is never predictable. The weather, annual variation and a great many other factors can affect success. Whilst we will always do our best there can never be any guaranteed result. You greatly improve your chances if you can devote more then one day to the pursuit.
Please give us at least 24 hours notice if you would like us to prepare a packed meal for you.
http://www.thecasterbridge.co.uk/