Places to go
A beautiful landscape with unique places to visit and activities for everyone. The map below forms part of our new 2012 Visitor Guide (PDF Download 1.6MB) available to download if you wish or contact us and we’ll be happy to post one to you. Tel: 01761 462338 or email mendiphills@somerset.gov.uk.
Local Food
Local Accommodation
Tourist Information
Why not have a look at our gallery for a taste of what you can expect to see when you visit.
What walks are there in the area?
The Mendip Hills – Eight Wild Walks now available £5.00 plus £1.00 p&p if ordered through Mendip Hills or go to our Publications page for a description of the book and a list of stockists.
Relevant OS Explorer Maps - 141 and 153
The Mendip Way - an 80 kilometre (50 mile) long-distance footpath across the Mendip Hills from Weston super Mare to Frome – The Long Distance Walkers Association
Limestone Link - a route of 36 Miles joining the limestone of the Cotswolds to the Mendip Hills – The Long Distance Walkers Association
Monarch’s Way a 615 mile (990km) long-distance footpath passing through the Mendip Hills – Ramblers
Geology and Landscape - Walkers guides and maps for Western Mendip and Eastern Mendip showing the geology and landscape of the area are available from the British Geoloical Society book shop via Foundations of Mendip web site. Scroll down the page and click on BGS online shop link then use the search term “Mendip” for full details and to order.
West Country Way part of the National Cycle Network via Sustrans
Try tourist information centres for other walks publications.
Black Rock Reserve, Longwood and Velvet Bottom Somerset Wildlife Trust
Blackmoor Reserve. Owned and managed by Somerset County Council.
An old lead mining area steeped in history, rough grassland, heath, wetland and woodland. Industrial archaeology visible. Netherwood a small woodland on the reserve has an easy going trail.
Burrington Ham/Black Down/Rowberrow Forest. Largest area of open land in the AONB. Black Down trig point is the highest point on Mendip offering terrific views across to Wales. Significant wildlife and archaeology. Excellent for walking ,cycling and horse riding.
Charterhouse Unique historic lead mining landscape dating from the Roman period. Excellent for walks.
Cheddar Gorge North side – National Trust
Chew Valley Lake Lake side area with visitor centre, tearoom, nature trail, toilets.
Crook Peak Distinctive peak. Open grassland site with areas of gorse and scrub. West Mendip Way passes over the peak (OS Explorer Maps 141 and 153). Car park with picnic tables on Webbington Road.
Deer Leap Open access site with fantastic views over the Somerset Levels. Excellent for walks, picnics, flying kites. Car park with picnic tables.
Dolebury Hillfort Iron age hillfort of great interest for its grassland, limestone heath vegetation and ancient field systems. Bus services along A38. Take the A38 southwards from Churchill village and after the red brick terrace houses turn left into Dolebury Bottom. Follow the road which runs parallel with the A38. Please drive slowly along the lane & park in the small car park at the end of the lane. Follow the footpath to the summit.
Ebbor Gorge Wooded gorge offering variety of walks. Car park.
East Harptree Woods Forest plantation on historic lead mining site. Car park and picnic tables. Easy going trail to Smitham Chimney, remnant of the lead mining.
Hellenge Hill – Avon Wildlife Trust – Hellenge Hill is a Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI). The reserve was purchased with funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, Wyvern Waste and public donation.
Herriots Bridge Long lay-by on road that crosses Chew Valley Lake. Popular for viewing wild waterfowl. Bus Service 673. New Manor Farm teashop on road into Bishop Sutton.
Kings Wood Ancient woodland with ground flora. Access to Wavering Down and Crook Peak. On route of West Mendip Way (OS Explorer Maps 141 and 153), adjacent to Strawberry Line.
Priddy Green Village green at centre of ancient settlement of Priddy. Two village pubs. Hurdle stack on the green is a symbol of the ancient wool trade and annual Priddy sheep fair that takes place on the nearest Wednesday to the 21st of Aug.
Shute Shelve Hill Open grassland site offering views over the Somerset Levels. Parking and picnic tables in Axbridge lay-by car park. Nearby historic Axbridge.
Stockhill Forest plantation with easy going trail. Priddy Mineries offers walks over old lead workings.