Spider info, please

[briar rose]

While I was out walking round the pond earlier, I noticed dozens of spiders and their webs, but not the usual kind, these were at ground level and quite near the pond edge, within about 10-12 feet or closer, and had a tunnel to them, are these a certain type of Spider, and are the web tunnels to catch food, or attract a mate? I've never seen this before, thank you

Sorry the pics aren't the best quality, but they will give you an idea of what I mean

[Meta menardi]

Looks like Agelena labyrinthica, the Labyrinth spider. The refuge the spider is in is just a place to lurk, the webs have probably not been there that long, she will produce a much thicker sheet web in front of the refuge. This is often built up over time till it is very thick, anything wandering onto it is in trouble.

Behind the refuge is a labyrinth of tunnels, one of which will ultimately have the eggs in.

They are much more likely to be found in Southern counties, but they are quite a common spider.

[Venger]

Check out this thread as well:
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ed-spider.html
You'll see closer pictures of the same spider.

Here for distribution (not totally up to date)
British Arachnological Society: Updated UK Distribution