The '''Mendips''' are a range of hills in northern Somerset in the south-west of the United Kingdom. The area is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.[http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/]
Understand
The Mendips are carboniferous limestone hills, situated a few miles south of Bristol, just north of the Somerset Levels. There have been quarries and mining here from early times, all mining has now ceased. Caving, climbing and hiking are popular outdoor activities.
The caves at Cheddar contain traces of Palaeolithic man. Lead, copper, silver were mined from the Bronze age, through Roman times up until the nineteenth century.
The tops of the Mendips consist mostly of grassland, grazed by sheep and there is a wide variety of plant and animal life for those interested in natural history.
Destinations
'''Priddy'''
'''Charterhouse'''
'''Cheddar'''
'''Wookey Hole'''
'''East Harptree'''
'''Wells'''
Get in
Air
Bristol International airport is well served from most of Europe and is situated a few miles north.
Rail
The nearest railway stations are at Bath, Bristol, Weston super Mare and Frome.
Bus
'''[http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/bristol/map/somerset.php First Bus] operate services in the area.
Road
Fairly easily accessible from the M5 motorway, Bristol, Bath, Wells, Weston super Mare.
Walking
Many of the more interesting destinations are only accessible on foot. Walking guides are available from the [http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/publications.php Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty service].
Get around
The [http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F4D20603-2FB9-4E14-AA0D-0F20000DEDFB/0/Service672.pdf Chew Valley Explorer] bus serves many of the local villages. Some other bus services are provided by First Bus as above. Otherwise you need to walk or use a car.
See
Blackmoor Reserve
Black Rock Reserve
Bleadon Hill
Burrington Combe
Charterhouse
Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar Caves
Chew Valley Lake
Crook Peak
Dolebury Hillfort
Ebbor Gorge
Priddy Green
Stockhill and Priddy Mineries Reserve
Wookey Hole
Do
Outdoor pursuits
Mendip Climb. ttp://www.mendipclimb.org.uk/. A guide to local climbs
Mendip Outdoor Pursuits. he Warehouse, Silver Street, Congresbury. 01934 834 877. nfo@mendipoutdoorpursuits.co.uk. 1934 834 888. ttp://www.mendipoutdoorpursuits.co.uk/. Offer a variety of activities including climbing, abseiling, caving, hill walking, orienteering
cheddarclimbingcaving.co.uk. 1761 232 026. ruce@cheddarclimbingcaving.co.uk. ttp://www.cheddarclimbingcaving.co.uk/. Caving, climbing, abseiling, kit hire.
Somerset Wildlife Trust. hancellor_fs Farm, Plummer_fs Lane, Priddy. 1749 871 248. endip.landscape@somersetwildlife.org. ttp://www.somersetwildlife.org/. Manages several nature reserves in the Mendip Hills, information on website
Chew Valley Lake. oodford Lodge, Chew Stoke, Bristol. 1275 332 339. ob.handford@bristolwater.co.uk. 1275 331 377. ttp://www.bristolwater.co.uk/leisure/chewIndex.asp. Over 260 different species of birds have been recorded, ranging from tiny reed warblers to Bewick's swans. Permits available for some reserve areas, also for fishing the lake.
Wessex Cave Club. pper Pitts, Eastwater Lane, Priddy. 1749 672 310. ttp://www.wessex-cave-club.org/. Local caving club, with a club cottage that can accommodate groups up to 15.
Mendip Caving Group. ttp://www.mendipcavinggroup.org.uk/. arden@mendipcavinggroup.org.uk. Charterhouse based group with a cottage that can accommodate 30, hold keys to a variety of caves.
Shepton Mallet Caving Club. he Mineries, Wells Road, Priddy,. ttp://www.shepton.org.uk/. Cottage with bunk bed accommodation for 25, some camping accommodation
Axbridge Caving Group. 1761 452 288. ttp://axbridgecavinggroup.wikidot.com/. Training, advice, equipment, books and videos available, regular organised expeditions. Meet in the Hunters Lodge, 2nd Sunday of month
Charterhouse Centre. harterhouse-on-Mendip, Blagdon, Bristol,. 1761 462 267. harterhouse@somerset.gov.uk . ttp://www.charterhousecentre.org.uk/. Offers climbing, abseiling, caving, mountain biking, accommodation and campsite
Mendip Hills Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty. 1761 462 338. ttp://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/publications.php. Downloadable walking guides
Events
Priddy Folk Festival. he Green, Priddy. 1749 674 080. ttp://www.priddyfolk.org/. _47.00 with camping, children under 10 free. 3 day folk music festival in July annually, with craft fair, club tent, camp site, dance events.
Mendip Food and Drink Festival. 1749 341 327. ofthousem@mendip.gov.uk. ttp://www.mendipfoodfestival.co.uk/. A variety of special food and drink events held in and near the Mendips annually, late October-early November
Eat
Many of the pubs serve good food, there are cafes and restaurants in Cheddar and Wells.
Drink
Most villages have pubs amongst which are:
Hunters Lodge. ristol Road, Priddy. 1749 672 275. Real ale, pub grub, traditional style, open fires. Popular with cavers.
The Queen Victoria Inn. elting Drove, Priddy. Real ales, cider, pub grub, folk evenings.
New Inn. he Green, Priddy. Real ales, pub grub, bed and breakfast accommodation
Druids Arms. romley Road, Stanton Drew. 1275 332 230. ttp://www.thedruidsarms.co.uk/. Real ale, beer garden, food, handy for Stanton Drew stone circle and Chew Valley Lake
The Crown. igh Street, West Harptree. 1761 221 432 . Good beer and cider and homecooked food. In the heart of Chew Valley at the foot of the Mendips
Sleep
There are a number of guest houses, also some self catering accommodation, camping and caravan sites and a few independent hotels. Full lists available from [http://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/site/places-to-stay Somerset County Tourist Information]
The Penscot Inn. he Square, Shipham, Nr Cheddar. 1934 842 659. ttp://www.penscot.co.uk/. _76 double. Twelve en suite rooms, 3 star rated. Restaurant and bar.
Burcott Mill. ookey, Wells. 1749 673 118. ttp://www.burcottmill.com/. rom __30,00 adult sharing double. Bed and Breakfast adjacent to a working water-powered flour mill.
Home Farm Cottages. arton, Winscombe, Nr Cheddar. 1934 842 078. nquiries@homefarmcottages.com. ttp://www.homefarmcottages.co.uk/. _240
to __775 seasonal rates per week">Self-catering accommodation Set in 2 acres of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Barton, near Cheddar</sleep>
Broadway House Holiday Park. heddar. 8 miles south of Bristol on the A371, midway between Cheddar and Axbridge.. 1934 742 610 . nquiries@broadwayhousepark.co.uk. 1934 744 950. ttp://www.broadwayhousepark.co.uk/. Touring caravans, camping, some lodges, swimming pool in summer, childrens play area, convenience shop, restaurant and bar
Anela B&B. ower North Street, Cheddar. 1934 743 806. A friendly B&B located in the very centre of Cheddar village - convenient for all facilities and just a short, level walk from the Gorge.
Stay safe
Outdoor activities such as climbing, caving and abseiling should only be undertaken with suitably qualified groups. The hills contain many old mine workings and even undiscovered pot-holes, so walkers should be well equipped and use good maps.
Get out
Other local attractions near the Mendips are:
Glastonbury
Street( with Clarks Shopping Village)
Frome
Bath
Weston-super-Mare
Wookey Hole Caves (full of adventure for little kids)
Cheddar
Bristol
Bridgwater