Favourite Non-caving Places

[Peter Burgess]

So you are in a festering mood. You look outside and the weather is as good as it can get. Your mates are off caving but you really can't face spending another day with them! You go off on your own - but where ? (Mendip only, please, pubs not allowed!)

My favourite non-caving place is the Charterhouse Velvet Bottom area, with all the mining remains to explore.

 

[cap n chris]

Ebbor Gorge (take a backpack containing some rope, refreshment, helmet and light - just in case  )

Any of the old Mendip quarries (similarly equipped as above)

The North scarp of Crook Peak (including the woodland) overlooking Compton Bishop (ditto)

Sandford Hill (ditto)

Brockley Combe (but you'll probably wish you'd taken SRT kit!) - thanks to Axbridgecaver for introducing me to this fascinating place

Banwell Hill (old follies and othersuch)

Axbridge Hill up to Chardswell Cavern searching and locating Ochre Mine, Triple H Cave etc. en route

Rose Wood - just for the exercise! - to visit the workings there

Rowberrow "forest" - finding the cavern in the woods is a good test, plus the cairns, the derelict house etc..

Brent Knoll - amazing archaeology and stunning views on a clear day - an easy(ish) walk (OK, so it's NOT MENDIP, but it's pretty close! - albeit, not walking distance).

Crook Peak - similar but MUCH WINDIER!

Cheddar Gorge "off route" adventurous danger-walks - up Chute Gully, head north, abseiling to Brock Hole and then down towards Black Rock following the scarps, attempting to locate the infamous Pant-y-Crack!

Cheddar Gorge, east side: locating Bone Hole (handline useful) then continue up onto the ridge for the stunning views of Cheddar Gorge and cutting back across via Piney Sleight to pick up Longwood path etc..

Draycott Sleights - to visit the caves and the karst and for the views and archaeology

Middle Down Drove - an interesting and "forgotten" part of Mendip!

err, that's enough for the mo......

 

[wormster]

A bracing walk up Brean Down

 

[Razzerip1]

Rowberrow "forest" - finding the cavern in the woods

 

[Peter Burgess]

Rowberrow "forest" - finding the cavern in the woods

I had no idea it was that big.

 

[gus horsley]

Westhay Nature Reserve on the Somerset Levels.  Go there about 4:30 pm and watch the starlings.  Incredible!

 

[whitelackington]

Howe rocks at low tide  (Brean Down)

 

[Dep]

anywhere my wife and kids aren't is good!
in summer I used to take  a book and coffee in a falsk and sit up by one of our local entrances - love;y and peaceful.

 

[Elaine]

There was a time when I could do a good bit of walking on the Mendips. Everywhere I walked was from home (Cheddar) but in 6 hours you can do quite a few miles. My favourite places to go were:

Black Down, especially towards Rowberrow and Dolebury Warren,
The Velvet bottom and Longwood areas,
The bit of the West Mendip Way between Draycott Sleights and Priddy,
Burrington Ham.

Cannot think of any others at the moment, but it is all so nice!

 

[Peter Burgess]

All this is really great stuff. However, what about specific places as well as walks? Ancient Monuments? Viewpoints? Nature Reserves? Old buildings? Old industrial sites? Standing stones (are there any?)

 

[ditzy 24//7]

how about the downs / were the white horse is between i think its calne and devises?

iv been up there a couple of times and found that it is quiet a nice walk aslong as you dont go falling down sides of the downs as it can be quiet slipper at times as me and tizz found out 

 

[Hughie]

Standing stones (are there any?)

Stanton Drew
Between Pensford and Chew Magna.

I've got a feeling the Wessex were faffing around with them for some reason. The land belongs to Church Farm.

 

[Razzerip1]

Standing stones (are there any?)


Avebury or Stone Henge



My Van always cuts out when passing through Avebury

How do u highlight the part of the quote you want to repeat??

 

[Peter Burgess]

On Mendip? Keep up Razzerip1, keep up!

 

[Peter Burgess]

By the way, I have a reason for asking all this stuff, but I'd rather not say why. Nothing sinister, I promise. One day, maybe.

 

[Razzerip1]

Ditzy's post threw me off track  :-[

 

[Peter Burgess]

Ditzy's post threw me off track  :-[

Don't they always. Sorry, Ditzy! 

 

[Les W]

Standing stones (are there any?)

Stanton Drew
Between Pensford and Chew Magna.

There is a standing stone in a field at Deerleap (near Ebbor Gorge)

 

[andymorgan]

There is a standing stone in Winscombe (known as the Wimblestone) and one at Yarbury

 

[ditzy 24//7]

how about the statue of liberty?