Priddy Pools, Scientific nature reserve in Mendip Hills, England.
Priddy Pools is a protected site in the Mendip Hills containing multiple nutrient-poor pools surrounded by valley mire, open water, and tall fen habitat. The area spans several interconnected basins with varying wetland conditions that support specialized wildlife.
The northern pool was dammed in 1850 to supply water for lead mining operations that continued until 1908. This water management intervention shaped the current landscape and hydrology of the site.
The pools support fifteen species of dragonfly, five amphibian species, and numerous breeding birds including moorhen, coot, mallard, and reed bunting.
The site is accessible via marked footpaths, with one route forming part of the Monarch's Way long-distance walking trail. These trails let visitors explore the different pools and habitats throughout the site.
The site hosts unusual plant species adapted to high lead concentrations, including the specialized moss Ditrichum plumbicola. These adapted organisms thrive in areas where past mining activity left mineral residues in the soil.
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