Brent Knoll

Brent Knoll is a 137 (450 ft) metre-high hill on the Somerset Levels, in Somerset, England. It is located roughly between Weston-super-Mare and Bridgwater and is just a stone’s throw from the Bristol Channel coast at Burnham-on-Sea. The hills size and isolated position on the levels means that it dominates its surroundings and can be seen from miles away, and its stature is even more emphasised to travellers as many travel ways pass it. Like, the M5, A38 and Bristol to Taunton railway line, which all pass within a mile or less from its base.

Before the Somerset Levels were drained, Brent Knoll was an island and was known as the Mount of Frogs, which provided a safe haven from the water and marshes. The Knoll dates back to the Jurassic times, over 300 million years ago when dinosaurs, primitive mammals and strange birds roamed the area. A shallow sea washed around its slopes thus giving it its other name of “Frog Island”. Brent Knoll’s extensive history is bookmarked throughout the village so you can learn more about the village’s history whilst enjoying a great day out.

Millions of years on a lot of amazing wildlife can still be spotted whilst walking up the Knoll, like two varieties of Woodpeckers, Jays, Kestrels and Sparrowhawks are extremely common in this area. You may also see Foxes, Rabbits and more common garden birds darting through the wildflowers of the hill, so be sure to bring your camera to capture the natural beauty of Brent Knoll.

This is a walk along country footpaths that ends up being extremely steep at the top, to a point where steps are included. This walk is definitely not for the faint-hearted, but if you make the effort to hike up to the top the views from the top are spectacular. With views of the Polden Hills to the south, Glastonbury Tor to the east, the Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge to the northeast, the Bristol Channel and Wales to the west and the Quantock Hills to the south-west.

At the base of the hill lies two villages, East Brent and Brent Knoll, which have a range of pubs where you can have a bite to eat after you’ve walked up the hill.

So visit Brent Knoll today, and enjoy the stunning Somerset countryside.