Priddy Mineries

Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4653

Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4653

Priddy Mineries

This small patch of the Mendip Hills has an ancient history of mining.  It then became a Somerset Wildlife Trust nature reserve – but no longer.  Despite this it is still a fabulous site of long grass, trees, ponds plus lots of lumps and hollows.  It is one of the most popular gems on the Mendips.

And the Priddy Tree is its famous landmark.

Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4623

Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4623

These two trees are the money shot that everyone photographs as the walk up to the largest Waldegrave Pond.

Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4632

Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4632

The old SWT interpretation boards are now blank.

Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5887

Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5887

The mineries sits between North Hill and Stockhill Woods.  In winter this is a frost pocket that holds on to its morning mist.

Mist over Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3765

Mist over Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3765

The mist forms layers across the landscape.

Mist over Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3722

Mist over Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3722

This is the home of voles, short-eared owls and millions of ticks!  At this time of year these are hidden away.

Mist over Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3747

Mist over Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3747

Hoar frost wraps the grass and hawthorns in crystals.

Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5844

Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5844

Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5807

Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5807

In the hollows water collects.

Frost - Priddy Mineries, Somerset, UK. ID 805_7105

Frost – Priddy Mineries, Somerset, UK. ID 805_7105

The frost gleams across the water in the morning sun.

Frost - Priddy Mineries, Somerset, UK. ID 805_7089

Frost – Priddy Mineries, Somerset, UK. ID 805_7089

The Waldegrave Pond is popular with anglers, but now it is covered in ice.

Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5685H

Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5685H

Lots of trees, dry-stone walls and very long grass.

Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4796

Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4796

The evening draws in across the mineries.

Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4796

Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4796

The sun finally drops below the horizon.

Mist over Priddy Mineries - Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3648

Mist over Priddy Mineries – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3648

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