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Visitor Guide The aonb guide to Protecting for future Places to go Mendip Hills a good day out generations Bleadon Hill Stunning views of the Bristol Channel. The Mendip Way passes at this point. Due to the special nature of the We want you to get the most out of your visit, and Crook Peak Distinctive peak that most of us see from the M5. area of outstanding natural beauty (aonb) Mendip Hills AONB a Partnership leave with happy memories of your time spent here. Classic Mendip limestone grassland with outcrops of craggy By following the Countryside Code, you can help look coordinates the management limestone. Very steep walks to the summit. (National Trust). and protection of the landscape The Mendip Hills is a place of such scenic quality M4 after yourself and safeguard the rural beauty of the through the AONB Management King’s Wood Ancient oak woodland that lets you on to that it was designated an Area of Outstanding area for your next visit. Plan. For further information please Wavering Down and Crook Peak. Mendip Way and the Natural Beauty in 1972. 17 M4 The Countryside Code – Respect, Protect, Enjoy. contact: Strawberry Line can both be joined here. (National Trust). CARDIFF Shute Shelve Hill This designation recognises 18 • Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs Mendip Hills AONB Beautiful grassland slopes providing that the Mendip Hills is 19 www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk views over historic Axbridge. Parking at Axbridge lay-by. one of England’s finest BRISTOL • Leave gates and property as you find them (National Trust). M5 Email: [email protected] landscapes, an area 20 • Protect plants and animals and take your litter home Tel: 01761 462338 The Perch Climb past coppice woodlands and the redundant treasured by everyone quarry to emerge on to the grassland plateau. • Keep dogs under close control with special protection WESTON A370 A38 A37 (Somerset County Council). and management. SUPER 21 • A38Consider other people MARE Mendip Hills Fund Cheddar Gorge Nationally famous gorge boasting the highest inland limestone cliffs in the country. Incredible cave systems A368 For the full Countryside Code visit The fund provides a simple vehicle with tourist facilities. Circular paths loop round the top of the AONB www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk for local businesses, residents gorge. (Longleat Estate / National Trust). NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL, and visitors to give something A371 Velvet Bottom Reserve NATIONALLY PROTECTED A39 back to this very special area, Distinctive landscape formed as 22 a result of lead mining in the past. The nature reserve links because of the landscape WELLS helping to conserve and enhance the special qualities Charterhouse to Cheddar Gorge. (Somerset Wildlife Trust). and what lies beneath 23 of the Mendip Hills, and benefit Charterhouse Unique historic lead mining area A361 A39 local communities. with impressive examples of “gruffy ground”. The Mendip Hills throughout its long history BRIDGWATER (Somerset Wildlife Trust / Somerset County Council / has been all things to us; a place to live and The fund will support local Privately owned). projects in the Mendip Hills work, a place to worship or defend, a place 2014 Blackmoor Reserve Old lead mining area steeped in to exploit through mines and quarries and a area, including landscape history with a surreal landscape of lumps and place to enjoy. All of these are still valid today. conservation, education and interpretation projects and bumps formed from the spoil heaps. A unique mix Each use has left its mark on the land and over time Guide Visitor Planning your visit If you experience access difficulties on Public Rights social and economic of habitats including ponds and wetlands, these characteristic marks have formed what we heath and woods makes this site incredibly of Way, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page of enterprises. see today. The Mendip Hills are easily accessible from important for wildlife. our website for the contact details of local authority Bristol, Bath and Weston super Mare and the If you would like to donate please (Somerset County Council). Hills Mendip A landscape of many layers with modern agriculture Rights of Way Teams to report the issue. visit www.somersetcf.org.uk M5 Junction 21 if travelling from the north or Priddy Green Historic green at the heart on medieval field systems, on top of Roman towns, for more information or call J22 if travelling from the south. of Priddy, with the famous hurdle stack and hiding ancient cave systems, where early man For your safety: 01749 344949. sheltered. Enjoy your visit today through the layers Greentraveller Guide to the venue of the Priddy Sheep Fair that dates of history. This amazing array of landscapes in one Mendip Hills • Park in designated car parks not field gateways or The Mendip Hills Fund back over 600 years. area is enough for you to discover all year round; a www.greentraveller.co.uk on verges is a partnership between Deer Leap The best view in Somerset hot summers afternoon on Black Down, the autumn Free e-guide packed with tips on the Mendip Hills AONB from this open windswept medieval settlement • Never leave any valuables on view in your car Partnership and the colours across Chew Valley Lake, winter mist in the where to sleep, eat, shop and visit site. (Somerset County Council). Somerset Community vale of Avalon viewed from Deer Leap and the first • Check weather conditions and dress appropriately Foundation Ebbor Gorge Steep wooded gorge designated a flush of spring green in Netherwood. Relevant OS Explorer maps are 141, (charity no 1094446). National Nature Reserve with way marked trails to 153 and 155 and Landranger 182. follow. (Natural England / National Trust). Wookey Hole Caves Famous cave system and visitor Local farmshops attractions. (Privately owned). What lies beneath? Local tourist Local produce include Lye Cross Stockhill Forest So much to do! Farm in Redhill, New Modern forest over old lead workings The geology shapes the life and work of us all, For taste and quality Local, seasonal food has not information centres Manor Farm Shop with easy going trails and forest walks. (Forestry Commission). The Mendip Hills includes lakes, large open even today, in the Mendip Hills AONB. Essentially a travelled, probably has not been deep chilled and near Bishop Sutton, grassland areas, deep gorges, and caves to Burnham-on-Sea Priddy Mineries Nature has reclaimed this lead mining site to huge piece of limestone with whaleback ridges that comes with a local story, so you can learn about the Priddy Good Farm form a flowing landscape of tall grasses and ponds. Walks up explore providing plenty of opportunities to 01278 787852 allows water to percolate through, dissolving the suppliers, breeds and varieties. Shop and Wrington to North Hill, Mendip’s second highest hill and walk, cycle, horse ride or take part in other stone to create the legendary cave network and then [email protected] Greens Farm Shop Reduce your carbon footprint 95% of the fruit and Priddy Nine Barrows can start here. outdoor activities from abseiling to yachting. appearing along the spring line. For miles around we Glastonbury 50% of the vegetables bought in the UK are currently East Harptree Woods Easy benefit from the water that is captured in Blagdon 01458 832954 AONB downloadable walks imported; a staggering 30% of vehicles are currently going trails take you through and Chew lakes and at Cheddar Reservoir. Countless [email protected] and trails available from transporting food. the woods to the last generations have used the cave network with Sedgemoor Services www.mendiphills.org.uk Boost rural economy remaining lead smelting ‘Cheddar Man’ in Cheddar and Burrington Combe 01934 750833 Research shows that money chimney on Mendip and having the earliest recorded cemetery in Britain. spent locally generates almost twice as much income The map shows routes and places of [email protected] superb views over Chew interest including:- Shepton Mallet for the local economy as the same spend in a typical Valley Lake. (Forestry Cross section of Mendip Hills landscape supermarket. 01749 345258 Strawberries and Commission). The Mendip Way village on [email protected] mushrooms are among Chew Valley Lake Visitor drainage spring line the vast range of products Centre Chew Valley Lake swallet Street Strawberry Line in fissures grown locally. internationally important for (or stream sink) 01458 447384 [email protected] Local breweries include birds and a much loved area for fishing (permits from Woodford Limestone Link spring Wells Visitor Centre Butcombe Brewery in Wrington, Cheddar Ales Lodge) and sailing. The place to West Country Way 01749 673477 in Cheddar and Thatchers start for any visit to Chew Valley [email protected] old red Cider in Sandford. Lake with tea shop, information, Monarch’s Way sandstone Weston-super-Mare toilets, picnic areas and trails. (Bristol Water). cave 01934 888800 [email protected] Woodford Lodge shale streamway A great place to relax near the lake with Cheddar Gorge National Trust Shop Why not visit one? café, fishing shop and picnic areas. (Bristol Water). Discovering limestone 01934 744689 They offer unique Blagdon Lake Views from the pumping station bridge across water-filled cave [email protected] products and a the beautiful lake. (Bristol Water). Black Down great experience. Burrington Ham Gently rolling grassland and woods above Discovering Black Down is a Burrington Combe. (Open Access Land). three year project (2013-2016) Black Down Black Down, an extensive area of heathland funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. concealing a World War II decoy town. Beacon Batch trig point The project is raising awareness of the wildlife is the highest point in the AONB at 325m giving you the best and archaeological value of the Black Down views of North Somerset.
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