Climbing in the Mendip Hills AONB Introduction to the Mendips Climbing places within the AONB This is one of England’s most special places – the There are 22 climbing places within the AONB, with Cheddar limestone Mendip Hills with the lakes of the Chew Gorge being the best known. The others are: Ubley warren, Valley is a stunning landscape of steep slopes and Goblin Combe, Banwell, Knightcott rocks, North Quarry, undulating plateau punctuated by spectacular gorg- Crooks Peak, Compton Hill Cliff, Wavering Down, Sandford es and rocky outcrops. On the hilltops there are Quarry, Callow Rocks, Churchill Rocks, Doleburry Warren, hundreds of ancient monuments, whilst on steeper Burrington Combe, Deepstar Wall, The perch Quarry, Black slopes flower rich grasslands and wooded combes Rock Quarry, Pylon King’s Secret Crag, Ebbor Gorge, Split offer varied habitats for a wide variety of wildlife. Rock Quarry, and Horrington Hill Quarry For more information check out the RAD (Regional Access Database) on the BMC’s (British Mountaineering council) website. The AONB and the BMC Restrictions The BMC access rep for Cheddar Gorge can provide information and answer questions on climbing in Be aware that throughout the year there are restrictions the Gorge. on the times you can access climbing places. To make sure you are permitted to climb please check out the BMC RAD (link at bottom of the page) Conserving the AONB while you climb You always have to be careful whilst climbing. You have to be extra-careful in the AONB. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure you don’t have an impact on the wildlife, plants or animals. To prevent having an impact please do not put bolts into the wall, there will already be bolts where you are al- lowed to climb. Do not litter, plastic does not biode- Useful links to check out: grade and just looks ugly. Don’t climb where there are nesting birds. Be careful not to tread or damage any of AONB: https://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/ the wild flowers with boulder mats or any other equipment. RAD: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/RAD/ Do observe any restrictions! BMC: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/ .