5 of the best things to do in the Mendip Hills in Somerset

Cycling

There is lots to offer cyclists of all abilities, starting with the Strawberry Line, a dedicated cycle path that currently connects Yatton to Cheddar as well as some smaller stretches around Wells. There is an exciting and ambitious plan in place to eventually create a continuous 30-mile traffic-free path all the way from Clevedon to Shepton Mallet. However, for the moment it is a gentle 10-mile ride, with no steep gradients, through wildlife-rich wetlands, old settlements and cider orchards, and is ideal for a family outing.

Off-road, there are miles of trails to cater for more experienced and adventurous riders through the Mendip Hills, with a network of hills, bridleways, singletrack and county roads. Cycling doesn’t get more dramatic, whether taking in the forest tracks at Rowberrow Warren, the rocky outcrops on the Burrington Hams or a gruelling hill climb to the top of Cheddar Gorge or Beacon Batch at Black Down.

Caving

The particular geology of the Mendip Hills, with limestone worn away by water, has resulted in the largest underground river system in the country, and a unique cave system which attracts cavers from around the world. The majority of caves in the area require specialist equipment and knowledge, and there is a club, the Mendip Caving Group, dedicated to their exploration and conservation.

For the uninitiated, the club has a taster session available whilst Cheddar Gorge & Caves offers a 90-minute Adventure Caving session. This begins in the spectacular Gough’s Cave, discovered by Richard Gough in 1890. The route then leaves the well-trodden tourist track into the Black Cat Chamber, followed by a climb up to the Mushroom Chamber, a crawl through the Sand Chamber and a descent of over 40ft into the heart of the cave system. The return journey includes a crawl across the Bottomless Pit and slipping headfirst through the Letterbox.

Mendips Rock Climbing. Photo: Cheddar Gorge & Caves

Rock climbing

The cliff faces of the limestone Cheddar Gorge, the largest in England, stretch to a height of over 450ft. There are amazing views from the top of the Gorge, for anyone walking the three-mile Cliff Top Walk, but how about actually climbing those awe-inspiring cliffs?

This world-famous beauty spot, with its weathered crags and pinnacles, is a popular year-round climbing destination. Climbers are requested to adhere to certain restrictions which ensure the safety of visitors to the Gorge so it is worthwhile checking these out first.

The Gorge is split into the North Side and the South Side, both providing numerous ascent routes to choose from, with a wide range of difficulty levels. For the complete thrill seeking novice, Cheddar Gorge & Caves offers a 90 minute rock climbing experience utilising one of the 50ft high outdoor climbing walls, with experienced instructors on hand to show you the ropes.

Walking

The Mendip Way is a 50-mile path traversing the length of the Mendip Hills AONB. It is made up of two recognised footpaths, the West Mendip Way which runs from Uphill near Weston super Mare to Wells and the East Mendip Way which continues past Shepton Mallet to Frome.

The two paths provide different, equally noteworthy, experiences: the West Mendip Way is dramatic with some steep climbs that reward you with far-reaching views of the Bristol Channel and the Somerset Levels, taking in the magnificent Cheddar Gorge and winding its way through historic villages such as Priddy. Meanwhile, the gentler East Mendip Way takes you past limestone quarries, through farmland and ancient woodlands.

It would take a satisfying three to five days to walk the complete trail, but there are plenty of routes for shorter hikes, or join in a guided walk with one of the groups such as the Mendip Ramblers.

Watersports

A wide range of water sports are available from reservoirs deep in the heart of the Mendip Hills. Chew Valley Lake was created in the 1950s as a water supply reservoir for Bristol and is the largest lake in the county. The popular Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club makes the most of this picturesque setting, whilst it is also known for its fly fishing, with trout, pike and perch making up the catch of the day for keen anglers.

Meanwhile, Cheddar Reservoir dates from the 1930s and is supplied with water taken from the Cheddar Yeo River. With stunning views of Cheddar Gorge, the Mendips and Glastonbury Tor, it is also home to the Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club. The club provides a wide range of water-based activities, including sailing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, kayaking and the new sport of wing foiling (pictured). There are taster sessions available for anyone wanting to dip their toe in the water.