The Mendip Hills AONB, Somerset
The Mendip Hills cover 77 square miles south of Bristol and Bath in Somerset and it comes as no surprise that this very special area has the status of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s a very diverse landscape, but nonetheless one that is undeniably beautiful.
One thing that strikes you almost everywhere you go in the Mendip Hills are the views; they seem to roll on endlessly across the Chew Valley, the Somerset Levels and the Bristol Channel, depending on which direction you’re facing of course. Pootle about and you’ll find a few surprises; besides the narrow country lanes and peaceful villages, the gentle rolling hills and wooded slopes, there are steep and craggy areas, rocky outcrops and windswept plateaus. The most famous is Cheddar Gorge, the largest gorge in England at 400ft deep and 3 miles long. Deep down in the subterranean caves is where Cheddar man was found, Britain’s oldest complete skeleton – a staggering 9,000 years old, would you believe.
It goes without saying that the Mendip Hills are great for exploring on foot, on bikes or on horseback, whichever way you choose. There are designated cycle routes and countless footpaths and walking trails; for some of the best views you should go to Brent Knoll, Brean Down, Ebbor Gorge and Crook Peak, which is that funny looking hill you see as you drive up the M5 motorway.
Among the more touristy attractions in the Mendips are Wookey Hole, which the kids will love because it’s got so much to amuse them, and Wells, England’s smallest city where you can visit the very magnificent cathedral and Bishop’s Palace where at feeding times, the swans who live in the moat swim up and pull on a bell.
Whatever you do, keep an eye out for a nice looking country pub to stop at for a lunch of hearty homemade food; it doesn’t get much more rustic than the Queen Victoria at Priddy, also good are The Queens Arms at Bleadon and The Crown at Churchill. Slow down, stop and stare, it’s the best way to really appreciate the natural beauty of these hills.