Chew Valley Lake

• Bristol, BS40 8XH
• Car park facility available
• There are currently no new memorials available at this location. You can still add to an existing memorial.

Opened in 2005 and nestling in the foothills of the Mendips, this stunning planting area is located just outside the village of Chew Magna in North Somerset.

The area is rich with wildlife and birds and has been designated a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' and a 'Special Protection Area'. Surrounded by meadows and woodlands, the area is popular with birdwatchers and anglers as well as those simply wishing to take in the magnificent views.

The lake is also popular with water sports enthusiasts, hosting sailing and windsurfing. Other facilities nearby include a nature reserve, numerous picnic areas and designated walks.

This land along with other similar areas of outstanding beauty has been kindly donated to the Life for a Life by Bristol Water enabling the charity to make donations to Bristol children's hospice totalling £13,700 to date.

Life for a Life planting areas are natural environments where we encourage wildlife and plantlife to flourish, as such additional items should not be added to the tree or the space around it, especially as they can cause damage to the tree. Please be aware that any prohibited items left on or around memorial trees will be removed. 

Although this site is now full to the planting of new memorial trees, if you have an existing memorial tree dedicated you can still upgrade memorial plaques, add additional ashes to a memorial tree, order memorial keepsakes etc.

What happens in the future?

Now that this memorial forest is closed to new tree planting you will see slight changes in the way we manage the site. The aim is to create a forest that will mature over time and become a local amenity for both visitors and wildlife. Therefore, the management regime will move to one which is more sympathetic to the environment. In practical terms, this will mean a gradual reduction in grass cutting as the tree canopy closes to help promote a richer diversity of wildflowers and other ground flora.

All the memorial trees are guaranteed for 25 years and any tree which has unfortunately not established itself successfully will be replaced from a selected mixture of 'understory' species consisting of either Hazel, Hawthorn or Holly that will help diversify the woodland creating an even better home for nature.

Furthermore, as the memorial trees grow they will be 'crown-lifted' which involves removing the lower limbs of the trees to help maintain access as the trees continue to mature and allow air and light to pass through. Eventually, the plaque in front of the trees will be removed as the site transitions from a formalised memorial woodland into the memorial forest we all want it to become. At this point a new sign will be erected that will let people know how the forest was established and what the trees represent.