Visiting the Maidenbrook Country Park
Nestled between the Quantocks and the Blackdown Hills, the Maidenbrook Country Park offers visitors 30 acres of park and woodland to explore and enjoy.
Our park is bisected by a central, wildlife-friendly hedge offering a safe haven to nesting birds. We kindly ask all visitors to respect both the wildlife and other park users during their visit.
Access and The Memorial Walk
The park can be accessed via the service road to the south, or from the limited parking area to the north west along Maidenbrook Lane. The terrain is fairly rough grassland in places, with footpaths giving access around the perimeter and to each of our areas of interest. Please do visit each of our commemorative memorials along the walk but we do ask that you are respectful of these areas as they hold great significance to many of our visitors and volunteers alike.
Freshwater Pond
Our freshwater, self-sustaining pond offers the opportunity to explore and observe a newly developed ecosystem. This aquatic habitat is home to a variety of species, from newts and tadpoles to dragonflies and swans. We encourage you to relax in our nearby picnic area and take in the view.
Forest School
Our Forest School offers a place to get close to nature (look out for our visiting green woodpeckers), build a bug hotel or conduct a self-guided lesson in outdoor education.
We even have a few lesson ideas for that bug hotel, maybe find out why we plant multiple plant species together or get to grips with what decomposers really do all day.
Events and Activities
The Maidenbrook Country Park hosts a number of events throughout the year. Please see our Events page for more information on what to expect and remember to save the date in your diary! We look forward to hosting junior orienteers at the park soon, giving our younger visitors the chance to have fun developing their fitness and map reading skills.
Our nature trail offers opportunities to look out for regular bird visitors, discover local wildlife and spot iconic plant species. Download a Spotter Guide here. iNaturalist is yet another amazing resource, offering our visitors the chance to record observations, identify species and collaborate with an online social network of like-minded people, sharing biodiversity information to learn more about nature.
Dogs
Dogs and responsible dog owners are welcome at the Maidenbrook Country Park. We ask that you help to keep our park clean and would greatly appreciate your assistance in encouraging all dog walkers to use the dog waste bins provided. Please also keep your dog under control at all times, ensuring that they are kept strictly out of the pond.
Tick and flea ‘spot on’ treatments contain harmful chemicals that have disastrous effects on aquatic life. As such, it would be appreciated if dog owners could be mindful of this around our young aquatic ecosystem and help us to preserve and protect this habitat.
The Poppy of Honour
The Maidenbrook Country Park and The Somerset Wood are privileged to be the future and final home for the Poppy of Honour, which memorialises those British and Commonwealth service personnel listed as killed or missing in action in WW1. Fundraising is ongoing for the construction of a custom-built pavilion, allowing visitors to the park to freely view this official National and Commonwealth War Memorial. In furtherance of this fundraising endeavour, those wishing to donate may alternately purchase a plaque (detailing the donor’s name or perhaps offering a tribute) which will be placed for display near to the pavilion. Further details can be found here.
