North Somerset Levels facts for kids

The North Somerset Levels seen from Dolebury Warren.

The North Somerset Levels is a large, flat area of land located in North Somerset, England. It stretches between the towns of Weston-super-Mare and Bristol. This low-lying plain is drained by several important rivers, including the River Banwell, River Kenn, River Yeo, and Land Yeo.

This special area is surrounded by natural features. To the south, you'll find the Mendip Hills. To the east are the Yeo Valley and the Lulsgate Plateau. The Tickenham Ridge forms its northern edge. To the west, it meets the Severn Estuary, which is where the River Severn flows into the sea.

The North Somerset Levels are unique. They are different from the much larger Somerset Levels to the south. They are also distinct from the smaller Gordano Valley to the north. Managing the water levels here is very important. The North Somerset Internal Drainage Board is in charge of keeping the water flowing correctly. They also maintain the special drainage ditches called rhynes. Sometimes, this area is also called the "Avon Levels." This name can refer to just the North Somerset Levels or a bigger area that includes other flat lands nearby.

Towns and Villages in the Levels

Many towns and villages are found within or near the North Somerset Levels. These communities are part of the unique landscape of this flat region.

• Backwell
• Brinsea
• Chelvey
• Claverham
• Clevedon
• Congresbury
• Flax Bourton
• Hewish
• Kenn
• Kingston Seymour
• Locking
• Lower Langford
• Nailsea
• Puxton
• Wick St Lawrence
• Yatton

Train Stations Nearby

You can reach parts of the North Somerset Levels by train. Here are some of the railway stations in the area:

• Nailsea and Backwell railway station
• Yatton railway station
• Worle railway station

Amazing Plants and Wildlife

The North Somerset Levels are home to many interesting plants and animals. Several parts of the Levels are protected areas. They are called Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These sites are important for their unique natural features.

Special Plant Life

One important SSSI is Tickenham, Nailsea and Kenn Moors SSSI. It covers a large area in the northern part of the Levels. Another special place is Yanal Bog, near Sandford. This bog is known for its rare plant communities. Here you can find plants like Black Bog-rush (Schoenus nigricans) and Blunt-flowered Rush (Juncus subnodulosus). These plants are not common in southwest England.

Many plant species that are rare elsewhere in the Bristol region grow well here. These include:

• Water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile)
• Rigid Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
• Soft Hornwort (C. submersum)
• Different types of water-crowfoots, like Thread-leaved (Ranunculus trichophyllus), Common (R. aquatilis), and Fan-leaved (R. circinatus)
• Lesser Water-parsnip (Berula erecta)
• Various water-dropworts, such as Tubular (Oenanthe fistulosa) and Fine-leaved (O. aquatica)
• Tufted Forget-me-Not (Myosotis laxa ssp. caespitosa)
• Skullcap
• Fen Bedstraw

One very special plant found here is Water-violet (Hottonia palustris). It grows mainly in the Nailsea and Tickenham areas. You won't find this plant anywhere else in the Bristol region. An introduced water fern called Azolla filiculoides is also common throughout the Levels.

Other rare plants that thrive in the North Somerset Levels include:

• Flowering-rush
• Lesser Water-plantain
• Frogbit
• Lesser Pondweed
• Small Pondweed
• Hairlike Pondweed
• Opposite-leaved Pondweed
• Horned Pondweed

Some introduced water plants, like Canadian and Nuttall's Waterweeds, are also widespread across the Levels.