Attractions and Places To See around Mendip - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Mendip include a diverse range of natural landscapes, historical landmarks, and cultural points of interest within this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Somerset, England. The region is characterized by its distinctive limestone ridge, dry valleys, gorges, and rocky outcrops. Visitors can explore ancient cave systems, hike scenic trails, and discover charming villages. The area also holds archaeological significance, with over 200 scheduled ancient monuments.
Best attractions and places to see around Mendip
- The most popular attractions is Glastonbury Tor, a summit that is thought by some to be the Arthurian Avalon. Climbing the hill rewards you with views of the Somerset Levels, Dorset, Wiltshire, and Wales, with the ruins of 15th-century St Michael's Church at its summit.
- Another must-see spot is Beacon Batch summit trig point, a viewpoint and the highest point in the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From the trig point, visitors get panoramic views that stretch over the Bristol Channel into Wales, over Weston-super-Mare, the Chew Valley, and across the Mendips.
- Visitors also love Ebbor Gorge, a designated National Nature Reserve. This dry limestone gorge features ancient woodland, rich biodiversity, and a variety of flora and fauna, offering a path that becomes steeper, rockier, wetter, and narrower as you go.
- Mendip is known for its natural landscapes, historical sites, and cultural points of interest. The region offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, including cave systems, scenic trails, and charming villages.
- The attractions around Mendip are appreciated by the komoot community, with over 190 upvotes and more than 100 photos shared.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Glastonbury Tor
Highlight • Summit
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Beacon Batch summit trig point
Highlight • Viewpoint
Hills at over 400 ha.
Black Down, like most heathlands, is formed through a combination of factors– soil type, rainfall and human activity. The underlying Old Red Sandstone rock together with high rainfall created a waterlogged and acidic soil. The removal of tree cover by our Bronze Age ancestors 2,000 years ago helped to make sure that the soil stayed damp and acid. Only certain plants can survive in this type of ground. The key species include heather or ling, bell heather, bilberry, purple moor grass and European gorse, along with mosses and lichens.
Now the bracken is managed by harvesting and grazing by cattle and wild ponies to allow the heathers and grasses to flourish again. Black Down supports a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates.
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Ebbor Gorge
Highlight • Gorge
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Black Down Summit and Wild Ponies
Highlight • Natural
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Burrington Combe Road Climb
Highlight (Segment) • Climb
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Beacon Batch Summit and Trig Point
Highlight • Natural Monument
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Colliers Way
Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway
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Wells Cathedral
Highlight • Religious Site
You can visit the cathedral from 7am - 7pm. Three is also a cafe, shop, and possibility to go on a guided tour. You can find more information, here: wellscathedral.org.uk
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Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve
Highlight • Natural
This nature reserve lies on the floor of a dry river valley and is long and narrow in shape. Most of the reserve can be seen from the main path. The 42-acre (17 ha) reserve is mostly rough grassland with small areas of woodland and scrub. The reserve has a long history of lead mining and there is still much evidence to be found of the site’s industrial heritage. Velvet Bottom has been managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust since 1975 and was purchased from the former owners, Bristol Water, in 1998.
Please clean up after your dog on sites on the Mendip Hills AONB to help protect the wildlife and stop grasslands becoming polluted.
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Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve Trail
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
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Tips from the Community
About the patronage of this church: Saint ANDREW is one of the twelve apostles that Jesus Christ called to follow him. However, in the biblical accounts he is usually somewhat overshadowed by his much more famous brother: Saint Peter. In the Gospels we find the calling of the two siblings presented in different ways. According to the text of the Gospel of John (John 1:40-42), Andrew is called first (together with another disciple whose name is not mentioned). Later he tells his brother that he has found the Messiah. The feast of Saint Andrew in the calendar of saints is on November 30th in all major Christian denominations. The X-shaped white "St. Andrew's Cross" on which he was executed forms the national flag of Scotland against a blue background and has also found its way into the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
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Lovely looped trail. the landscape is lumped and bumped in the most weirdest of ways. I realised that the mounds were actually man made from the mining days, and grass and nature had covered them all over. Sheep graze freely in the area.
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At 325m high this is the highest point in the Mendips. It's a great summit with an ancient tumuli and trig point at the top. The ridge line trail stretching to the west from the summit offers wonderful fast running with awesome views in all directions. You can link the summit on a run from Cheddar, Burrington Combe or one of the local towns or villages.
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Absolutely lovely, relatively flat throughout and is generally pretty quiet. Some areas have a few bumps thanks to roots and some parts during the wetter winter weather get a couple of centimetres of running water here and there. Overall one of my favourite places to cycle and will continue to feature on my routes!
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https://youtu.be/pZAoONJz04g The climb up the 301 steps to the famous summit is well worth it for the views.
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Black Down Hill or Beacons Batch is the highest hill in the Mendip Hills at 325m, Somerset, in south-western England. Black Down lies just a few miles eastward of the Bristol Channel at Weston-super-Mare, and provides a view over the Chew Valley. It has a trig pointed summit and is a UK designated Marilyn with a prominence of over 150m.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most prominent natural landmarks and viewpoints in Mendip?
The Mendip Hills offer several breathtaking natural landmarks and viewpoints. Beacon Batch summit trig point is the highest point, providing panoramic views across Somerset, the Bristol Channel, and into Wales. Another distinctive peak is Crook Peak, offering far-reaching views over the Somerset Levels. Glastonbury Tor, while not strictly within the Mendips, offers iconic views of the surrounding region from its summit.
Where can I experience ancient woodlands and gorges in Mendip?
For ancient woodlands and dramatic gorges, visit Ebbor Gorge, a designated National Nature Reserve with rich biodiversity and a path that becomes steeper and rockier as you explore. Cheddar Gorge is another iconic natural landmark, featuring Britain's highest inland limestone cliffs and impressive cave systems. Burrington Combe also offers a scenic gorge experience.
Are there any significant cave systems to explore in the Mendip Hills?
Yes, the Mendip Hills are renowned for their ancient cave systems. Cheddar Gorge features impressive show caves with subterranean stalactite formations. Wookey Hole Caves offer a journey through natural caverns with underground lakes and rock formations, along with additional family attractions like a dinosaur grove and 4D cinema.
What historical sites and cultural points of interest can I visit in Mendip?
Mendip boasts several historical and cultural sites. Wells Cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. You can also explore Farleigh Hungerford Castle, a medieval fortress, and King John's Hunting Lodge, an early Tudor timber-framed house. The Wells & Mendip Museum in Wells delves into the region's rich history and geology.
Are there family-friendly attractions around Mendip?
Absolutely. Wookey Hole Caves is a popular family destination, offering not just cave exploration but also a dinosaur grove, 4D cinema, and caving experiences. Many natural sites like Black Down Summit and Wild Ponies and Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve Trail are suitable for families, offering easy walks and wildlife spotting. The Colliers Way is a former railway line converted into a pleasant cycling and walking path, ideal for families.
What outdoor activities can I do near these attractions?
The Mendip Hills offer a wide range of outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking on trails like the Mendip Way, which traverses diverse landscapes. Cycling is popular on routes such as The Strawberry Line and Colliers Way. For more specific routes, you can explore guides for hiking, cycling, and MTB trails around Mendip.
Are there hiking trails suitable for beginners in Mendip?
Yes, there are several easy hiking options. The Ebbor Gorge loop from Deerleap is an easy 2.5 km route, and the Ebbor Gorge & Milton Hill loop from Wookey Hole is another easy option at around 6 km. Many sections of the Mendip Way also offer gentler terrain suitable for less experienced hikers.
What is the best time to visit the Mendip Hills?
The Mendip Hills are beautiful year-round, but spring and summer offer the best weather for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling. Autumn provides stunning foliage, while winter can offer crisp, clear views, though some paths may be muddy. Always check local conditions before your visit.
Where can I find tranquil spots for nature observation, especially birds?
Chew Valley Lake and Blagdon Reservoir, located on the northern edge of the Mendips, are excellent havens for wildlife, particularly birds. They offer peaceful settings for nature trails and birdwatching. Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve Trail is another great spot for wildlife and nature observation.
Are there any areas with archaeological significance in the Mendip Hills?
Yes, the Mendip Hills are rich in archaeological history. Beacon Batch summit trig point and the surrounding Blackdown area are nationally important for archaeology, with evidence from the late Stone Age and Bronze Age, including burial mounds. The entire Mendip Hills National Landscape holds over 200 scheduled ancient monuments.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions in Mendip?
Visitors particularly enjoy the stunning panoramic views from summits like Glastonbury Tor and Beacon Batch. The varied and interesting paths through places like Ebbor Gorge, with its primeval forest and rocky climbs, are also highly praised. The opportunity to see wild ponies on Black Down adds to the unique experience.
Are there any dog-friendly options for walks in the Mendip Hills?
Many areas in the Mendip Hills are dog-friendly, especially the open access land and trails. Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve is noted as a dog-friendly trail. When walking with dogs, always keep them under control, especially around livestock and wildlife, and follow local signage regarding lead requirements.
Most popular routes around Mendip
Most popular attractions around Mendip
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