The Mendips: Beautiful Limestone Hills In Somerset

The clue’s in the name – The Mendip Hills Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty – is a gorgeous region in Somerset, home to world-class walking, hiking and cycling opportunities.

An Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty Just 20 Miles (40 Minutes) From The Archangel Inn

If you’re looking for the perfect base from which to explore this stunning part of the world, The Archangel Inn is a cosy, welcoming, 17th century village pub that is near to some of the best circular walks, hikes and cycle routes the Mendip Hills has to offer.

With 10 beautiful boutique bedrooms, delicious food offerings and plenty of Butcombe beer on the taps, you might just find it hard to step out of the door!

Rowberrow Warren Circular Walk

Nestled on a hillside, Rowberrow Warren boasts stunning winding pathways and a tranquil babbling stream flowing through its base, making it an enchanting woodland stroll.

Although the pathways are relatively steep, the wonderful panoramic views are a reward in themselves when you reach Burrington Common at the top.

Although Rowberrow Warren is also popular with mountain bikers, there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the nature, wildlife and tranquility that this area offers.

Dolebury Warren & Hill Fort Circular Walk

Dolebury Warren, an Iron Age hillfort, offers breathtaking vistas of the Bristol Channel and Welsh Coast on clear days while also serving as a sanctuary for wildflowers and butterflies.

Its name derived from its past as a rabbit warren in medieval times. And today, Dolebury Warren remains a thriving home for a variety of wildlife, including numerous rabbits.

After reaching the summit, take pleasure in a delightful stroll along the crest of the ancient hill fort before descending into Rowberrow Woods. Once you arrive at the base of the woods, trace your steps back along the stream until you reach the exit from the woodland.

Black Down Circular Walk

Black Down is an extensive area of heathland, and the highest point in The Mendip Hills.

From the School Lane entrance, follow the stream along before taking the path that crosses the stream up into the woodland. Continue to follow the path out of the woods to the open area of Beacon Batch. At the gate, go straight across and begin a long, gentle ascent up to the trig point, where you can enjoy panoramic views across North Somerset.

However, if you want to reach the top in the quickest time possible, then you should begin from the Burrington Combe car park. This will reduce your ascent to approximately 1 kilometre.

View the full circular route.

The Strawberry Line Cycle Route

Largely traffic-free with no steep gradients, The Strawberry Line is one of The Mendip’s most popular cycle paths. The 9 mile route takes in a variety of landscapes, from the spectacular Cheddar Gorge and historic town of Axbridge, the steep wooded valleys and a tunnel through the Mendips, to the flat marshes and cider apple orchards around Yatton.

You can access The Strawberry Line in Cheddar village, which is approximately 6 miles from The Langford Inn (Postcode BS27 3EE).

Directions To The Archangel From The Mendips

To reach The Archangel from the Mendip Hills National Trust Car Park, you must head north on Deerleap and then continue onto Pelting Drove. Turn right onto Wells Road, continue for 1.5 miles and then continue onto Hillgrove Road.

Continue onto Priddy Road and then turn left onto Bristol Road (A39). Turn right onto B3135 and continue for 3.5 miles. Turn right onto A37 and then turn left onto Old Frome Road.

After 2 miles, turn right onto Long Cross Bottom, then turn left onto Old Wells Road and continue for 3.5 miles. Turn right to stay on Old Wells Road.

Continue onto Egford Hill and then continue onto Broadway. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Broadway (A362) and continue for approximately half a mile. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Bath Street (B3090) and then turn right onto King Street, and The Archangel will be on your left.