Offering superb views of the South Somerset Moors, Exmoor and the Mendip Hills, Ham Hill has something for everyone. Large wildflower meadows, steeply sloping Iron Age ramparts, a deserted medieval village and historically managed woodlands all offer fantastic opportunities to explore this unique piece of Somerset countryside. This website is designed to give you a good insight to the many different areas of interest in Ham Hill and help you plan for your visit to this fascinating Country Park and hopefully make it a memorable one.
Ham Hill has peaceful, leafy woodlands and glades, grassy meadows, old quarry areas and a fantastic landscape of hilly mounds left from Victorian quarrying days on the hill. It is these hills that makes Ham Hill so unique and such an interesting place to come and visit, with a great network of paths to explore.
You can download a comprehensive brochure called the Ham Hill Herald which gives maps, ideas of walks and lots of informtion or a Quick Guide to Ham Hillfor a map of the park and a little bit of information.
BBC Breathing Places
Ham Hill Country Park and Yeovil Country Park have signed up as partners in the BBC's Breathing Places campaign, which encourages people to explore their local countryside and give nature a helping hand! Visit the BBC Breathing Places website for more information and to download fun activities.
Since 1975, Ham Hill Country Park has been and still is an open access countryside for everyone, providing a fairly wild and open terrain, yet with some urban comforts such as toilets, bins and benches! Since the year 2000, the Country Park has covered an area of over 400 acres of open access land, including land owned by South Somerset District Council, the Duchy of Cornwall and some local private landowners.
The aim of the Countryside Ranger team is to keep the park as safe and clean as possible, and to preserve the heritage and wildlife for future generations. Please go to the site management section for more details on the work of the Ham Hill Rangers.
Green Flag Award
Ham Hill Country Park has achieved the Green Flag Award for the fifth consecutive year for 2009-2010; the award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. The award is given as a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country, which means that Ham Hill Country Park meets high environmental standards and is a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.
Warning
In the summer months a plant called wild parsnip grows on Ham Hill. The plant is tall with yellow upside-down umbrella shaped flowers. Avoid getting the sap from this plant on your skin as it can cause quite a severe red rash, and if this is then exposed to sunlight it can cause blistering. If your skin comes up in a rash or blisters after visiting Ham Hill do not be alarmed - cover up your skin so that it is not exposed to sunlight, and seek medical attention if rash/blisters do not start to reduce within a few days.
Please also be aware of ticks (small parasites) that can be picked up whilst walking in long grass and bracken in particular. Please visit the Lyme Disease Action website for more information.
