Quantock Education

Shaped By Water

It rains a lot over the Quantock hills!

But, without water, there would be no living things on the Quantocks. Water has always been part of the scenery and it has helped to shape the Hills.
When it rains, some of the water collects in ponds.
Most of the rain soaks into the ground. Some is absorbed by the soil. Some sinks down into the rock beneath.
Trees and plants grow their roots into the ground to find the water.
Oak trees, bracken and woodland plants all grow strong and green, thanks to the Quantock rain
The leaves spread out to trap sunlight
New clouds form over the hills.

More of the water sinks down into the rock of the hill. Sometimes it springs and seeps out of the ground in other places, making patches of wet, boggy ground.
Years ago, people chose to settle near springs. The Quantock springs are so pure that some places still have their own spring-water supply.

These springs feed into streams, They are a good habitat for freshwater plants and creatures including kingfishers.
The streams flow down the hill slopes in all directions. Some streams empty into the sea.
Water is more powerful than you might think! It can flow fast, carrying soil and rocks with it. Streams easily cut through soil.
Water can change the shape of the land. Streams can even wear away rock, and carve out valleys.
And the strong sea can alter the coast line, hurling itself, and stones, at the cliffs till they tumble into the waves.
Water evaporates from the surface of the sea, ending up as clouds again. More Quantock rain is on the way!
This map shows that it really does rain more over the Quantock Hills.

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