The Otterhead Estate Trust Company Limited - Otterford, Somerset
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  • The Otterhead Estate Trust Company Limited - Otterford, Somerset
  • (Attraction, Community, Environment, Tourism, Outdoor Activities)
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Contact Information
  • Contact:
  • Otterhead Estate Trust Project Co-ordinator
  •  
  • Description:
  • The Estate Trust manages Otterhead Estate and Lakes Nature Reserve in the parishes of Otterford and Churchstanton..
  •  
  • Address:
  • Otterhead Lakes, Otterford, Taunton, Somerset
  • Postcode:
  • TA3 7EE
  •  
  • Phone:
  • None
  • Fax:
  • None
  •  
  • Email Us:
  • Click here to email
  • Website:
  • Click here to visit our site
  •  
  • Keywords:
  • Otterhead, Otterhead Lakes, Otterhead Estate, Otterhead House, Otterhead Estate Trust, Rhododendron 'Rosamundi',
Further Description
  • Otterhead Estate and Lakes is a Local Nature Reserve in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated by Taunton Deane Borough Council and registered as a BBC Breathing Place (no. 33901)during 2008. The main access is via a free car park from a lane linking the B3170 and St. Leonard's Church, Otterford; it is also about one mile north-east from Churchinford and is encircled by various Somerset and Devon towns including Taunton, Chard and Honiton. The reserve is mainly a steep sided section of the valley of the River Otter. The river forms the boundary between Churchstanton and Otterford parishes and was impounded to form the Otterhead Lakes, at least seven in number, of which two still remain. The lakes were part of the landscaped grounds of Otterhead House (demolished in 1952) which was at the heart of the 1,700 acre Otterhead Estate (broken up in 1919). The site is therefore an example of a 'lost garden' with ornamental plants remaining. There is no admission charge but visitors should note that the site is owned by Wessex Water as a mains water catchment, so it is important that water quality is protected for public health reasons. The Otterhead Estate Trust Co. Ltd. has the task, subject to funding, of conserving and part restoring the remaining heritage features of the Victorian and Edwardian Otterhead Estate, including garden plants, as well as improving the various wildlife habitats. The site is also seen as a potential education resource for the economic, social and horticultural history of the Blackdown Hills, as well as providing work experience in nature reserve and heritage site management. The Reserve has a nature trail, other paths and lake views but potential visitors should be aware that path surfaces are uneven, muddy and steep in places and that the bus service (Churchinford) is infrequent. Two information sheets, one describing the nature trail and the other describing heritage features and also including a brief history of the estate, produced by Taunton Deane Borough Council and the Estate Trust, are usually available from the tourist information centres at Taunton, Wellington, Ilminister, Chard, Axminster, Honiton and Ottery St. Mary and by downloading from the internet; however the information sheets are not available at Otterhead.
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