Beacon Hill

by Jeff Bevan · Published 27th October 2017 · Updated 31st October 2017

Forgive me for going back to Beacon Hill Wood – its simply the best wood for autumn colour in this part of Somerset.

Standing Stone – Beacon Hill Woods, Somerset, UK. ID 823_6173

Beacon Hill

This ancient beech woodland runs along the ridge of the Mendip Hills above Shepton Mallet.

Autumn – Beacon Hill Woods, Somerset, UK. ID 823_6365

Its a fascinating wood to visit. Full of bumps and hollows, old quarry pits, roman roads, earth banks, huge water pipes, ponds, deeply ploughed ridges, a tall standing stone, lots of fungi and views across Somerset.

This time of year the hollows of the woodland floor are full of golden beech leaves, while the ridges and old stumps are covered in moss, fungi and lichen.

Woodland Floor – Beacon Hill Woods, Somerset, UK. ID 823_6252

Fungi are easy to find but most have been nibbled.

Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum) – Beacon Hill Wood, Somerset, UK. ID 823_6301

Fallen leaves rest on moss moss covering the ridges created by deep ploughing during the 1950s.

Beech Leaves and Moss – Beacon Hill Woods, Somerset, UK. ID 823_6020

Still, lots more earth balls to find.

Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum) – Beacon Hill Wood, Somerset, UK. ID 823_6327