West Mendip Way

Welcome to our West Mendip Way Holiday.

This is a self guided package across some of
England's loveliest countryside. We have put
together an accommodation and transfers
package, with suggestions for maps/books
so all you have to do is focus on the walking.
 
        The Mendip Gate guest house B & B








Our accommodation is based in Churchill at
The Mendip Gate, a charming, long established 
Guest House close to the route, so you need
only carry a day ruck sack. There is a room 
dedicated to drying boots, clothes and 
equipment as appropriate. We also offer
the option of soothing away your aches by
pre-booking you an hour long massage with
Stacey Natural Beauty (at additional cost). 
A complimentary foot spa is available to Guests,
to help revive and rejuvenate weary feet.

westmendipway
 
Paul and Sarah are dedicated in making
your self-guided holiday as comfortable
as possible. A collection point will be
established at the beginning of each day
with mobile contact throughout but are
flexible should you wish to walk fewer,
or indeed more miles than suggested. 

West Mendip Way - 30 miles

A 30 mile route across the magnificent Mendips.

Starting point of holiday: Roman Port of Uphill,
Weston-super-Mare
End of holiday: City of Wells

Or vice versa!!

This section of The Mendip Way runs from the
Bristol Channel and old Roman Port of Uphill,
through an enchanting mix of broad-backed
hills of open grassland with far-reaching
views, pastures enclosed by drystone walls,
dew ponds, ancient woodland, rocky outcrops,
combes, caves, sink holes and spectacular
deep gorges. 

The route crosses the central Mendip
plateau, Bleadon Hill, Loxton, Wavering Down
and Shipham, leading down to the dramatic
Cheddar Gorge, on to Draycott, Priddy,
through Ebbor Gorge Nature Reserve and 
Wookey, passing Wookey Caves and Paper
Mill, before eventually taking in the beautiful
city of Wells. Sites of historical interest along
the trail include Neolithic earthworks,
Bronze Age barrows, Iron Age hill forts,
medieval monuments and lead mining remains
dating from Roman, to Victorian times.

West Mendip Way

Suggested Itinerary
Duration: 3/4 nights, 3/4 walking days 30 miles

Day 1: Arrive at The Mendip Gate Guest House
in Churchill.
Day 2: Transfer to Uphill. Walk to King's Wood.
(10 miles) 
Day 3: Transfer to King's Wood. Walk to Draycott.
(10 miles)
Day 4: Transfer to Draycott. Walk to Wells 
(10 miles) Either luggage transfer available to
Wells or collection and return to your car/
collection for a further night at The Mendip Gate. 

King's Wood and Shipham are the closest
points to The Mendip Gate, just a two minute
drive away. There is a car park at King's Wood 
but if the light isn't fading, it might be worth
awaiting your transfer at a welcoming pub,
further along in Shipham, 100 yards from
the West Mendip Way. 


Suggested Itinerary
Duration: 3/4 nights, 3/4 walking days 30 miles

Day 1: Arrive at The Mendip Gate Guest House in Churchill
Day 2: Transfer to Uphill. Walk to Shipham.
12 miles (19km)
Day 3: Transfer to Shipham. Walk to Draycott. 8 miles (13km)
Day 4: Transfer to Draycott. Walk to Wells.
10 miles (16km) Either luggage transfer available to
Wells or collection and return to your car/collection
for a further night at The Mendip Gate in Churchill. 

This itinerary with shorter middle section,
gives you ample time and energy for exploring
Cheddar and Caves. Both Shipham and Draycott
have pubs on or close to the route to visit
whilst awaiting collection.
        
 Bristol Accommodation

We have given some suggestions for other
walking and sightseeing options if you would
like a longer walk/holiday in the beautiful
Mendips and surrounding area. 


           West Mendip Way

Optional extras along the route include:

Walking Uphill Hill Local Nature Reserve.

Calling at Tiffin's Coffee House in Bleadon.

Visiting The Church of St.Andrew at
Loxton dating back to
the thirteenth century. The Mendip Gate B and B
Exploring Cheddar Gorge, Jacobs Ladder 
and the caves and Cheddar Cheese Factory 
with local cider tasting! Cheddar Village
and Gorge are slightly off The West
Mendip Way - leave the trail near
Pulpit Rock at ST46745 53744.

Visiting Draycott Sleight Nature Reserve.
There are numerous Tumuli and a Long
Barrow near the route through Draycott
to Priddy.

Taking a rest on Priddy Green, famous for
it's sheep fair held continuously every year
since 1348, (apart from the recent 2001
and 2007 foot-and-mouth epidemic years).

Walk The West Mendip WayThere are two walker
 friendly pubs here,
The New Inn and
The Queen Victoria. 

Exploring Wookey Hole Caves and Paper Mill.

Touring the fabulous City of Wells with it's
Cathedral and Bishop's Palace at the end of
your final day.

Continuing your walk to take in the East Mendip
Way as well (This is a 19 mile extension from
Wells to Frome) please note this does not
form part of our package and will need to be
booked separately.
 
Churchill bed and breakfast
                        
 Optional extras available (see 'local attractions')

For those wishing to do a much longer walk there
is also the Samaritans Way South West -
a 100 mile walk from Bristol to Lynton, which
takes in a number of paths.
www.samaritansway-southwest.org.uk/


For information visit 
http://www.ramblers.org.uk  

Suggestions for books and maps of the route are:

Uphill to Frome: a guide to the Mendip Way,
ISBN 0 9539237 0 3. £8 inc. p&p from author
David Wright, Inglenook Cottage, Rudge, Frome
BA11 2QG, tel 01373 830795
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_
ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords
=west+mendip+way
http://www.bestwalks.com/somersetbooks.htm

Other useful websites:
http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=West+Mendip+Way

Maps
As maps of the route are easily available we suggest
you purchase them in advance, however if that is not
an option for you we can provide them at an additional cost.
The maps covering the West Mendip Way route are: 

Ordnance Survey Maps (path is named on OS maps):
OS Landranger: 172,  182,  183
OS Explorer: 141,  153
 

 Priddy sheep Fair