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Range of limestone hills to the south of Bristol and Bath in Somerset, England
Photo: Martin Bodman, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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 (AONB).
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limestone gorge.
A series of limestone caverns that are open as a show cave and tourist attraction.
Delightful gardens overlooking Blagdon Lake.
Offer a variety of activities including climbing, abseiling, caving, hill walking, orienteering.
Caving, climbing, abseiling, kit hire.
Manages several nature reserves in the Mendip Hills, information on website.
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.
Offers climbing, abseiling, caving, mountain biking, accommodation and campsite.
Downloadable walking guides.
Training, advice, equipment, books and videos available, regular organised expeditions. Meet in the Hunters Lodge, 2nd Sunday of month.
Charterhouse based group with a cottage that can accommodate 30, hold keys to a variety of caves.
Cottage with bunk bed accommodation for 25, some camping accommodation.
Local caving club, with a club cottage that can accommodate groups up to 15.
3-day folk music festival in July annually, with craft fair, club tent, camp site, dance events.
Real ale, pub grub, traditional style, open fires. Popular with cavers.
Real ales, cider, pub grub, folk evenings.
Real ales, pub grub, bed and breakfast accommodation.
Real ale, beer garden, food, handy for Stanton Drew stone circle and Chew Valley Lake.
Good beer and cider and homecooked food. In the heart of Chew Valley at the foot of the Mendips.
Twelve en suite rooms, 3-star rated. Restaurant and bar.
Self-catering accommodation set in 2 acres of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Barton, near Cheddar.
Charming village pub with rooms, a knock-through of miners' cottages. Handy for Bristol Airport.
Spindle Cottage
Self-catering Somerset holiday accommodation. Spindle cottage is a 17th-century cottage high on the Mendip hills. Set in a garden complete with summerhouse, gazebo and a conservatory. Step inside the cottage and you find a world of make believe with carvings of mushrooms, spiders web, birds and mice in oak beams and stone work.
By train
The nearest railway stations are at Bath, Bristol, Weston super Mare and Frome.
By bus
By car
Fairly easily accessible from the M5 motorway, Bristol, Bath, Wells, and Weston-super-Mare. The A38 between Bristol and the M5 passes the western side of the hills and passes Bristol Airport.
On foot
Many of the more interesting destinations are only accessible on foot. Walking guides are available from the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty service.
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Bristol · International · BRS
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