51 Wild Walks in the Mendips (Chew Valley Lake)

Home , Bleadon, Bleadon Hill, Chew Valley, Chew Valley Lake, Mendip Hills, West Harptree

• Explore the Mendip Hills – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty • Eight themed walks, each with fascinating background information • Clear, easy-to-follow route descriptions for each Wild Walk • Additional information on wildlife and wild ﬂowers

• Includes a Wild Food Calendar: how and 8 Wild Walks where to safely pick wild produce throughout the year

www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk Walking the Mendip Hills maps to Key in safety

ll eight Wild Walks in this book Walking is great exercise for people of Aare suitable for any reasonably all ages and the perfect way to keep fit fit person, but the less experienced and healthy. For the occasional walker walker should try the easier routes first. it’s not really necessary to spend a

Walking in safety Following the route directions should be fortune on the basic equipment, although straightforward, but you will find that the a sturdy pair of comfortable boots or relevant Ordnance Survey map is a useful shoes and a reliable waterproof jacket is addition to the information presented a must. Experienced walkers wear layers here. Carry a compass as well – just in of clothing which can be put on or taken case you lose your way. off as conditions change. The secret Each walk has been carefully is to maintain a comfortable and even researched to minimise any danger to temperature throughout your walk. walkers but it should be stressed that Carry a small rucksack with a spare no walk is completey risk-free. Walking top, hat, gloves and waterproofs and it’s a in the countryside will always require an really good idea to take a drink and some element of common sense and judgement food with you to keep liquid and energy to ensure that it is as safe and pleasurable levels up. Walking is exercise, after all, and an activity as possible. you’ll need to refuel as necessary. A few words to the wise… • Take particular care on upland areas summer months it is advisable to wear where the consequences of a slip or a hat and carry spare water. fall could be serious. • Carry a torch and a fully-charged • Several of the Wild Walk routes use mobile phone in case of emergencies. or cross busy roads. Please be aware • Respect the working life of the that even country lanes and countryside and follow the Country unclassified roads are not traffic-free. Code at all times. • Take particular care around farm • Protect plants and animals and always machinery or livestock, especially if take your litter home with you. you are walking with children or dogs. • Be careful not to disturb ruins and • Our weather is very unreliable and historic sites. conditions can change very quickly. Check the forecast before you set out • Fires can be as devastating to wildlife and ensure that you are equipped with and natural habitats so be careful not suitable warm, waterproof clothing to drop a match or smouldering and appropriate footwear. In the cigarette.

 WALKING IN SAFETY 8 Wild Walks

A fully illustrated guide to eight Wild Walks in the Mendip Hills – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – including a fascinating Wild Food Calendar Contents             2 Contents

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Acknowledgements Wild FoodCalendar Three PriddyDroves King’s Wood East Harptree Woods &Combe Draycott Sleights Chew Valley Lake Bleadon Hill Blagdon Lake Black Down Key to Wild Walks Introduction totheMendipHills CONTENTS 40 38 34 30 26 22 18 14 10 6 4 3

folding and grinding to leave us with the the leave to with us grinding and folding again, them moulding, squeezing, crushing, destroyed rocksand created repeatedly forces; unimaginable by have forces that years of millions of over hundreds made been has England of corner peaceful this man. early gaveto shelter cavethat ancient systems above the built settlements Saxon and towns Roman systems, ﬁeld overlyingmedieval with agriculture landscape, modern with seasons. the throughout layered a is This offer to areahas fascinating this scenery of variety remarkable the experience to chance a – time through journey a is land. the on mark Mendips the to visit A time. leisure our enjoy quarrying, to and place a mining through living defend,a out dig to place a to food,fortress a or worship to place a for hunt cropsor families, farm to place a our people: raise all liveand to place a T Mendip Hills ancient beautyofthe Exploring thewildand Look back further and you realise that that you realise and further back Look own its left has uses these of Each Mendip Hills have been all things to to things have all Hills been Mendip history, long their hrough the Mendip Hills Hills Mendip AONBService. the of management and protection special the deserving and everyone lanscapes, ﬁnest areatreasuredby an England’s of are one Mendips the that Beauty. Natural (AONB) recognises This an designated was Outstanding Areaof it 1972 in that quality scenic exceptional such of place a is Hills Mendip the – beautiful, valued Outstandingly universally heritage our Valuing protecting and remarkable. something new, always is There something always gorges. and combes the of greenery Leap, Deer spring fresh the in rejoice and the in Vale of viewed from when Avalon mist winter the bystirred yourspirits Chew across colours ValleyLake, have Down, autumn Black the at marvel today. we see ridges undulating and slopes barepeaks, of range familiar green-clad Spend a hot summer afternoon on on afternoon summer hot a Spend INTRODUCTION

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3 Introduction to the Mendip Hills Mendip the to Introduction Key to Wild Walks Wild to Key

3 1 2 4 Key toWildWalks

6 Key to Wild Walks  1 Black Down  2 Blagdon Lake  3 Bleadon Hill 7  4 Chew Valley Lake  5 Draycott Sleights  6 East Harptree Woods & Combe  7 Kings Wood 5  8 Three Priddy Droves AONB

Built Up Areas

Woodland

Visitor Area 8

4  KEY TO WILD WALKS KEY TO WILD WALKS  5 Wild Walk at Chew Valley Lake • 4 18 18 provide both protection and food. More aquatic insects and water plants, which roost, nest, feed and shelter. created to provide safe areas for birds to lagoons, bays and channels have been Bridge is a nature reserve where islands, UK) have been recorded here. birds recorded at any inland site in the 260 species (one of the longest lists of waterfowl and other birds – more than shoreline asupports huge population of Special Protection Area (SPA). of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a that ithistory has been classified as a Site acquired such importance for its natural this 1200-acre lake was created it has for Bristol. In the since, half century the 1950s as a water supply reservoir T A birdwatcher’s paradise LAKE: CHEW VALLEY The rich waters of the lake teem with The southern end around Herriotts The lake’s 10 miles of shallow and reedy  Chew Valley Lake was created in he largest lake in south-west England, CHEW VALLEY LAKE VALLEY CHEW will oftenfindanothermate. one ofthebirds diesthe remaining swan topopularopinion)if although (contrary numbers. use inmonitoringtheswan’s healthand on the Thames, whichalsohasapractical Queen carries outasymbolicceremony an officialswan keeper appointed by the special statusasaroyal bird. year, Every and even frogs. lake. It alsoeatsgrass, worms, smallfish aquatic vegetation from thebedof the UK. Its long neckhelpsittoreach in lakes andslow-flowing rivers across The The stately muteswan their journey south. autumn, when many species stop over on variety of birdlife is recorded in the to mate, nest and breed. The greatest A pairofswans willmate for life, The mute swan haslongenjoyed a mute swan

(Cygnus olor) for somewhere and those looking hotter climates birds returning from becomes home to In spring, Chew by winter rainfall. to be replenished most summers, several feet during the lake falls by occasional otter. of bat as well as the numerous species shores, including live around its of mammals than 30 species The level of breeds

Peter Roworth/Natural England

Adrian Boots Chris Newton species includes snipe (common and Chew Valley Lake’s plethora of waterfowl out for Other wildfowl to look • Between late April andearly May, material rushesanddriedgrassesasnesting themale(thecob)huntsfor sticks, inasuitablewatersidelocationwhile • The female (thepen)buildsthenest SUMMER mute swan A year inthelife ofa years old. flock. They begintobreed attwo theyoung birds willstay withthe breeding area thefollowing spring, • When theadultsreturn tothe SPRING overwintering area. theirparents tojointheflocksinan Someyoung birds willtravel with theadultsbegintodrive themaway. predominantly white, atwhichpoint cygnets’plumagebecomes • During lateautumnorwinterthe AUTUMN AND WINTER parents’ backs. months, oftenridingontheir stay withtheirparents for 4-5 • The fluffychocolate-brown cygnets themandthey hatchafter35-41days parents take itinturnstoinclubate thefemale lays uptoseven eggs. The form of ‘cowpat’. name is derived from ‘cowslop’, an old palsywort. Less poetically, the standard keys, bells, fairy tisty-tosty, mayflower and other local names, including bunch of familiar plants country and goes by many of the primrose. It is one of our most Cowslip name. conditions suchasscabies–hencethe and itisalsoreputed toeaseskin coughs, fevers andinternalinflammations, plant issaidtohelpinthetreatment of to cure any illness. Tea madefrom the scabious hasthereputation for beingable that thedevil bitoffitsroot. Devil’s bit Mendips. which is still locally common in the our most rapidly-declining butterflies, food plant of the marsh fritillary, one of Valley Wild flowers of Chew songbirds. in spring and summer there are countless the hobby and the peregrine falcon, and reed beds. Raptors seen regularly include to see – or hear – the rare bittern in the while in winter you might be lucky enough The secretive water rail is found here, coot, moorhen, ruddy duck and shoveler. mallard, tufted duck,shelduck, goldeneye, jack snipe), lapwing, teal, wigeon, pochard, The familiar bright yellow, scented The plantgot itsnamefrom thelegend

(Primula veris) (Primula CHEW VALLEY LAKE LAKE VALLEY CHEW important important as the to October. It is August through for insects from source of nectar provide a rich purple ﬂowerheads rounded blue- and marshes. Its in damp meadows pratensis scabious Devil’s bit is a close relative ) grows

(Succisa

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• Wild Walk at Chew Valley Lake Valley Chew at Walk Wild • 4 4 • Wild Walk at Chew Valley Lake 21 2  1 3 CHEWVALLEY LAKE FINISH START/ 11 4 10 9 5 8 7

6 Adrian Boots Adrian ) to (11 , turn , (8) towards towards (9) and turn . Cross Cross . (1) Ice Cream Ice Cream (7) and follow the and follow . This section of . (10) hours. Herriotts Bridge, Bridge, Herriotts 2 (2) (3) ⁄ 1 Look for the special Look for . After 200m look for look for After 200m . until you reach West West reach until you 8km (5 miles). 8km (5 miles). Explorer 141: Cheddar Cheddar 141: Explorer (6) : Uneven footpaths, mostly mostly footpaths, Uneven (4) Starting from Herriotts Herriotts Starting from . Walk past the village shop, village shop, past the Walk . About 2-2 (5) and village shop at West Harptree. West and village shop at to the end of Stratford Lane to the end of Stratford to footpath marked right and follow Farm Gurney Lower opposite and footpath take A368, Pool path behind Herriot’s rejoin to car park. to return Waymarking: are there plaques wherever waymark direction. gates or changes of stiles, O.S.Map West. Gorge & Mendip Hills Other Information: Pub Bridge car park. van at Herriotts North Widcombe. Opposite the Widcombe. North turn right cottages, along the back of footpath marked Mill Pool Herriotts can get very the footpath boggy so be problem any to walk around prepared along waymarked Continue areas. footpath Whistley right into Turn Harptree. Lane A368 and bear right on to the cross the B3114 sign the public footpath path waymarked right following Bear right and walk Lane. Stratford Time: Starting points: 581 OS Grid Ref ST 571 Terrain: slopes. of with little in the way level can be very boggyFootpath in places. Take lanes. going easy level, Mostly A368. when crossing care Route: the footpath follow Bridge car park, A368 and north-east alongside the lane the turn right down Chew Valley Lake Valley Chew Distance: CHEWVALLEY LAKE 

20 shore has a restaurant, bar, toilets and and toilets bar, restaurant, a has shore shop. tackle on area picnic a and shop tea a is There • lake. the of north the side Other information Other north-western the on Lodge Woodford • October to March from days most seen and rainbow the for ies fl their casting 40,000 around which of trout, brown season. each caught are shore. west the on important internationally an is lake The • of eet fl a has and venue shing fi trout be may who anglers, for boats motor you summer late the in low is level the and roadway the see to able be may Green Heron’s from bridge humpback out for at or near Chew Chew near or at for out Lake Valley when – road and villa Roman Drowned • • Yellow fl ag fl Yellow • marigold Marsh • look to things Other watch out for out watch and marsh spotted, (common Orchids • spotted) heath loosestrife Purple • Other attractive attractive Other to owers fl waterside numbers on some roadside embankments embankments roadside some on numbers and country wine, delicate a make – treat to traditionally used was plant the cramps. and paralysis rheumatism, fl owers – which can be seen in enormous enormous in seen be can which – owers fl

Wild Walk at Chew Valley Lake • • Lake Valley Chew at Walk Wild 4 Wild Food Calendar Food Wild Hawthorn-berries Wild Food Calendar Bolete mushrooms Bolete mushrooms Crab apples Wood sorrel Rosebay willowherb Heather Heather Hazel nuts Ground ivy Wild strawberries Wild strawberries Sloes, Blackthorn Raspberry leaves Raspberries Raspberries Rose hips Ramsons, wild garlic Meadowsweet Blackberries Bramble stems Comfrey Comfrey Hawthorn leaves Blackcurrants Bilberry Silverweed Dandelion ﬂowers Field mushrooms Sweet chestnut St George's mushrooms Lime leaves Lime blossom Lime blossom Elderberries Wild Food Calendar Sorrel Sorrel Chickweed Chickweed Nettles Nettles Dandelion leaves Dandelion leaves January February March April May June July August September October November December

Rules and precautions 9. Do not pick more than you need. If landowner’s permission. You are however, 1993 Mushroom Pickers Code allowed to pick leaves, fruit and nuts along www.forestry.gov.uk. 10 guidelines for gathering wild food you take everything, there will be none available for next season. public rights of way. There is always a risk associated with 10. Only collect the best leaves, fruit and A Code of Conduct for the Useful books gathering wild food. Here are some nuts. Any showing signs of mould, Conservation and Enjoyment of Wild Wild Food by Roger Phillips. points to remember: being eaten by animals, bruising, Plants has been produced by the Published by MacMillan Botanical Society of the British Isles and 1. If in doubt, do not pick or eat it. browning or rot should be left. the Forestry Commission has produced Food for Free by Richard Mabey 2. Only pick small quantities from the 1993 Mushroom Picker’s Code. Published by Collins plants growing in profusion, so as not Make sure it’s legal While the advice and information in to diminish populations. The aim of this series of wild walk A Cook on the Wild Side this guide are believed to be true and 3. Never pick protected or rare plants. guides is to increase your enjoyment, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall accurate, neither the author nor the 4. Sustainability, care, responsibility and appreciation and awareness of our native Published by River Cottage Mendip Hills AONB Service can accept respect is key for the environment, wild food plants within the Mendip Hills Wild Food by Ray Mears any legal responsibility or liability for any wildlife and other countryside users. AONB. You should not assume that you and Gordon Hillman harm or injury arising from the content 5. Be 100% sure of your identiﬁcation. are allowed to gather the wild foods in Published by Hodder & Stoughton of this guide. Have a good quality ID book with you this guide without checking your right to Collins Pocket Guide: Trees of and/or consult an expert who can do so. Finding out more Britain and Northern Europe identify species for you. Wild plants are protected by various by John Mitchell and Alan Wilkinson 6. Avoid ﬁelds with crops growing in pieces of legislation, primarily the Wildlife Visit the Joint Nature Conservation them as chemicals may have been used and Countryside Act 1981. More Committee website at Collins Pocket Guide: Wild Flowers – look out for yellowing of plants. information can be found on the Joint www.jncc.gov.uk. of Britain and Northern Europe 7. Avoid main roads and areas known to nature Conservation Committee website by Marjory Blamey, Richard Fitter and A Code of Conduct for the be heavily used by dog walkers. www.jncc.gov.uk. Please read this Alastair Fitter Conservation and Enjoyment of 8. Do not pick or eat any poisonous to understand the legal aspects of wild Wild Plants plants, or plants known to produce plants. Generally, it is illegal to uproot www.bsbi.org.uk. an allergic reaction. or destroy any wild plant without the

38  WILD FOOD CALENDAR WILD FOOD CALENDAR  39 Text: Adrian Boots Editor: Chris Newton Photography: Steve Bond Adrian Boots Paul Glendell/Natural England Jim Hallet/Countryside Agency Richard Law Mendip Hills AONB Service Chris Newton Peter Roworth/Natural England Peter Wakely/Natural England Illustrations: Neil Ross

Acknowledgements Designer: Neil Ross (Four Square Design 01275 371913)

This publication includes maps reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Ofﬁce © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence no. 100023366 (2009).

Mendip Hills AONB Service ISBN - Wild Walks 978-0-9559110-1-9

While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the route directions, we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for changes in the details given. The countryside is not static and is subject to changes to ﬁeld boundaries, footpath routes, and property ownership resulting in the closure or diversion of concessionary paths. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and achievable by walkers with a reasonable level of ﬁtness. However, all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk and the publishers accept no responsibility for any injuries sustained to readers whilst following these walks. Mendip Hills AONB Service Charterhouse Centre nr Blagdon Bristol BS40 7XR www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 01761 462338

Working together for equalities This document is also available in Braille, large print, on tape or on disc and we can translate it into different languages. We can provide a member of staff to discuss the details.

RNID typetalk This book is printed on Howard Smith Greencoat Plus paper containing 80% recycled ﬁbre. The remaining 20% virgin pulp is TCF (Totally Chlorine Free).

40  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS