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Dramatic gorges and ancient woodland rising above the Somerset Levels
Mid Somerset
Asset | Opening time |
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Countryside | Dawn - Dusk |
Two accessible spaces at the car park on the south side of Cheddar Gorge. All other car parks are on flat surfaces. Naturally uneven paths, which may become muddy and slippery after wet weather. Steep ascents and descents at all sites. Dogs welcome - keep on leads around wildlife.
At almost 400 feet deep and 3 miles long, this is England’s largest gorge and spectacular landscapes.
Crook Peak is one of Mendip's most distinctive hills, with a unique expanse of limestone grassland and rugged outcrops of stone to play on when you get to the top. Enjoy panoramic views across to Glastonbury Tor and Brean Down.
Walk 50 miles across the Mendips from Uphill to Frome.
Cycle this 10 mile route following the Cheddar Valley Railway from Yatton to Cheddar built in 1869 to carry strawberries from Cheddar.
Explore the Mendip Hills and the wildlife within. Visit Ebbor Gorge, the perfect place to bring the whole family, or head to Burrow Mump for scenic views across Somerset.
Follow this circular coastal walk for wildlife, archaeological features and great views across the Bristol Channel to Wales.
A dog-friendly apartment with sea views located at the foot of Brean Down.
On the Tyntesfield estate, this former hunting lodge has an octagonal summerhouse and farmland views.
Stay in the west wing of Lytes Cary Manor within the Arts and Crafts inspired garden.
Stay in the grounds of the Lytes Cary estate in this pretty Victorian cottage.
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The Mendip Hills are most important for their large stretches of calcareous grasslands, ancient wooded ravines and stunning geology; threatened species such as adders, dormice, horseshoe bats and skylarks; and woodland and grassland flora, including endemic whitebeam species, and Somerset’s county flower, such as the Cheddar Pink.
They are fantastic places for walking, cycling and horse riding and the views from the top of these hills are truly breathtaking.
Nearby Brent Knoll shares the same landscape characteristics and its grassy peak can be spotted from many places on the Mendips.
In October 2023 the Mendip Hills became one of Natural England’s newest ‘super’ National Nature Reserves. The new National Nature Reserve draws together all the existing important places for wildlife along the south facing slopes, including our sites at Brean Down, Crook Peak and Cheddar Gorge. It means these unique habitats of limestone grassland will be protected and through partnership working, will be places where nature thrives now and in the future. This is the second in the new King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, which will see five major National Nature Reserve created every year for the next five years - 25 in total.
Find out what we're doing to protect adders on the Mendip Hills.
From dry-stone walling to cattle grazing, a lot of important environmental work goes into the management of the Mendip Hills. Find out more about what our rangers and volunteers do.
Thanks to the support of our members, we're able to carry out our important conservation work across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Discover some of the crucial ways that you help us care for nature, beauty and history for future generations.
Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever. Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership.
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