Where To See Great Crested Newts In And Around Bristol

Great crested newts (GCN) can be found around pond land throughout Great Britain, but you won’t find them in Ireland. Unfortunately, numbers of these unique newts have dropped significantly throughout Europe because of ponds deteriorating or being removed. The most common place to find GCNs is in the south of the country, especially in the adjoining counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire, which share sovereignty over Bristol. Throughout this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the GCN as well as known populated destinations.

How To Identify Them

There are three different species of newt found in the UK, and the great crested newt is the most common. When lined up next to the palmate newt and smooth newt, the GCN is much larger - capable of reaching 17cm.

Their size isn't the only distinction between these three newt species because you can pick them apart using distinct markings. GCNs are black or brown and have notable wart-like skin. If you flip them on their backs, you will see a unique bright orange covered in blotchy black patches. When the mating season starts in the spring, male GCNs develop a noticeable white strike across their tails and a stunning crest along their back. Females, on the other hand, become bloated during the spring and won’t develop a crest.

Great Crested Newt Lifecycle

At the beginning of March, great crested newts begin to mate, which starts with males showing their alter egos before females. When June comes around, mating comes to an end and each female will have laid around 200 eggs. Their eggs are individually laid before being wrapped in plant leaves local to their pond. During their mating season, newt surveys are carried out to assess numbers and calculate a distribution map.

Protection Status

Over the last century, numbers of GCN have declined across the board, including their reach over the country. Therefore, they join the likes of bats by becoming protected under British law. This means that you are unable to disturb, capture, sell/trade, injure, or kill them; doing so will result in hefty penalties. Because of their protected status, anyone wishing to develop land or properties should have a newt survey. A survey for newts carried out by Arbtech will assess the landscape and index any GCN species. After the survey is completed, they can help you get planning permission approved, which is a bonus.

Favoured Habitats

Owing to the amphibious nature of newts, you will find them around freshwater ponds, farmland, and wetland. The quality of the water doesn't need to be great, but it needs to be pH neutral. You will typically find them in areas of natural beauty (AONB) and maintained waters. However, they’ve been known to populate shingle sands and seaside dunes.

Where To Spot Them Near Bristol

Forest of Dean

Just an hour's drive away. close to the border of Wales, you will come across the Wye River and Forest of Dean. This destination is picturesque and a must-see for anyone searching for great crested newts. Back in the days of the Tudors, this ancient forest was used as a hunting ground for the royal court. Since then, it’s been used for timber and iron during the industrial age.

The forest is so immersive that it’s been used to film countless popular movies including Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part One. If you’re looking to turn your GCN exploration into a true adventure, we wholeheartedly suggest this location.

Stonehouse Newt Pond

Stonehouse Newt Pond is located in Stroud, which is around 54 minutes from Bristol. The great crested newts have made this area their home for some time and have recently had their home restored alongside a new pond built at Court View. This initiative is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and comes under the “Wild Towns” project, which is working towards providing areas for nature throughout Gloucestershire.

Avon New Cut

Avon New Cut is a manmade diversion of the River Avon, which was dug out between 1804-09, and made way for Bristol Harbour. During the 1900s, industry grew in the area, but it’s since been turned into a nature reserve. The woodlands and saltmarsh vegetation make the perfect home for a large amount of wildlife, including the great crested newt. If you’re visiting Bristol, you will find this area around Canon’s March, which is where Millennium Square is located.

Brandon Hill

If you’re up for an 11-minute walk from Avon New Cut, you will find Brandon’s Hill, which is a picturesque city park with a pond. With its close proximity to Avon New Cut, GCNs have been known to live here. To turn this visit into an even more exciting activity, you should visit Cabot Tower, which is located in the park. The building dates back to 1897 and was built in honour of John Cabot’s notorious voyage to North America. You can access this tower for free daily from 8 am - closing times change depending on the time of year.

Mendip Hills

Hop back in your car again and take the A38 towards Mendip Hill AONB, which is only a short 38-minute drive. Here, you can explore the famous subterranean caving network, which caters for experts and casual tourists alike. Throughout the area, several ponds make up the perfect home for great crested newts. In particular, you will find GCNs around west Cheddar and Westbury Quarry - but not in between. However, back in 2020, a project was announced to bridge the gap between these populations and help them to breed larger numbers.

Great crested newts are the largest newt species in the UK, both in numbers and size. You pick them apart in a crowd by their distinct markings, especially during the mating season. There are many locations in and around Bristol where you can spot these newts, and you can turn your search into fully-fledged days out by exploring the surrounding areas. If you come across a newt, remember that it’s illegal to disturb them in any way.