Mendip Hills

The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty encompasses 198 square kilometres of distinctive limestone uplands in Somerset, designated in 1972 and extended in 1989. This ancient plateau landscape rises to 325 metres at Beacon Batch, creating a prominent feature visible across the Somerset Levels and surrounding lowlands. The Mendips are characterized by carboniferous limestone geology that has created spectacular gorges, particularly Cheddar Gorge with its dramatic cliff faces, and extensive cave systems including Wookey Hole and Gough's Cave. The area supports specialized limestone habitats including species-rich grassland, scrub, and ancient woodland in the valleys. Traditional dry stone walls and small fields characterize the farmed landscape. The geology has shaped human use with evidence of ochre mining dating back 9,000 years and extensive lead mining from Roman times through the medieval period. The hills provide important water catchment areas and contain numerous Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The AONB designation recognizes both the geological significance and the cultural landscape shaped by centuries of farming, mining, and quarrying.

Wildlife in the Mendips includes diverse bat populations, with Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats using the cave systems for roosting. The grasslands support butterflies like the Chalkhill Blue and Dark Green Fritillary, while birds of prey including Peregrine Falcons and Common Buzzards can be seen soaring overhead. Notable mammals include Dormice, Water Voles, and Roe Deer. The area's ponds and wetlands provide habitat for Great Crested Newts and other amphibians.

The Mendips support diverse plant communities adapted to limestone grassland, ancient woodland, and heath. Rare species include the Cheddar Pink (Dianthus gratianopolitanus), found nowhere else in Britain. The limestone grasslands host orchid species including the Green-winged Orchid and Early Purple Orchid. Ancient woodlands feature native species like Small-leaved Lime and Wild Service Tree, while the heathland areas support heather, gorse, and bilberry. Many of these plant communities are maintained through careful conservation grazing.

The Mendip Hills are primarily composed of Carboniferous Limestone, formed approximately 350 million years ago from tropical sea deposits. This limestone creates distinctive karst features including caves, swallets, and gorges, with Cheddar Gorge being the most spectacular example. The hills form a series of anticlines, where rock layers have been folded upwards, exposing older rocks in their core. This geological structure has created the characteristic steep southern scarp and gentler northern slopes, while also facilitating the formation of extensive cave systems.

The Mendip Hills experience a temperate maritime climate typical of southwest England, with mild winters and cool summers. Average temperatures range from 2-8°C in winter to 12-21°C in summer. The hills' elevation causes them to receive more rainfall and experience stronger winds than surrounding lowlands, with annual precipitation averaging 1000mm. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly on exposed hilltops, so visitors should come prepared with appropriate clothing regardless of season.

Human presence in the Mendips dates back to Paleolithic times, with significant evidence of prehistoric settlements and burial sites. The Romans extensively mined the hills for lead and established major settlements nearby. During medieval times, the area was important for mining and wool production. The hills played a role in Civil War conflicts and later became crucial for coal mining during the Industrial Revolution. Today, the region preserves this rich heritage through numerous archaeological sites, historic buildings, and mining remains.

Human interaction with the Mendip Hills extends back to the Paleolithic era, with archaeological evidence from Gough's Cave including Britain's oldest complete skeleton, the 9,000-year-old Cheddar Man. The caves provided shelter for early hunter-gatherers and later communities. Bronze Age people left burial mounds across the hilltops, while Iron Age settlements utilized the defensive advantages of the elevated terrain. The Romans exploited the area's rich lead deposits, establishing mining operations that continued through medieval times when Mendip lead was highly valued across Europe. Medieval farming established the field patterns and settlement structure that largely persists today. Cheddar Gorge became a tourist attraction as early as the 18th century, with documented visitors marveling at its geological formations. Victorian tourists explored the show caves at Wookey Hole and Cheddar, spurring development of visitor facilities. Quarrying for limestone became a major industry, creating both economic benefits and landscape impacts. Conservation concerns grew in the mid-20th century, leading to AONB designation in 1972 and extension in 1989. The area has maintained its character as a working landscape where conservation objectives balance with farming, quarrying, and recreational use.

The Mendip Hills AONB encompasses several remarkable landmarks, with Cheddar Gorge being the most famous - Britain's largest gorge, reaching depths of 137 meters. Wookey Hole Caves showcase spectacular limestone formations and archaeological finds. The hills feature numerous Iron Age hill forts, including Dolebury Warren and Burrington Camp. Charterhouse Roman Town and its associated lead mining remains provide insights into Roman industrial activity. The area also includes significant nature reserves like Black Down, the highest point of the Mendips at 325 meters.

The Mendip Hills are accessible via the A371, A38, and M5 motorway (junctions 21-22), lying approximately 20 miles south of Bristol. Cheddar village serves as the main visitor hub with extensive facilities including the famous gorge and show caves. Bus services connect Cheddar, Wells, and other Mendip settlements with Bristol and Bath, though car access is most convenient for exploring the area. The cathedral city of Wells on the southern edge offers a full range of amenities. Accommodation options include hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, holiday cottages, and several campsites and caravan parks. The area features numerous walking routes including the Mendip Way, a 50-mile trail traversing the AONB, and the West Mendip Way. Multiple car parks provide access to key sites including Cheddar Gorge, Burrington Combe, and Black Down. Visitor attractions include Cheddar show caves with their spectacular formations, Wookey Hole Caves, and the cathedral in Wells. The Mendip Hills AONB Service provides information and organizes events. Facilities for outdoor activities include walking, cycling on designated routes, caving and climbing opportunities with appropriate expertise, and wildlife watching. The area has good mobile coverage in main settlements though can be limited on hilltops. Visitors should be prepared for exposed conditions on the plateau with limited shelter.

The Mendip Hills AONB Partnership coordinates conservation across the protected landscape, bringing together local authorities, Natural England, and community organizations. Key conservation priorities include protecting and restoring limestone grassland habitats which support nationally rare plants and invertebrates but have declined due to agricultural improvement and scrub encroachment. Grazing management schemes work with farmers to maintain appropriate livestock densities that preserve grassland quality while supporting farm viability. The extensive cave systems and geological features receive protection through SSSI designation, with access management balancing conservation needs and recreational use. Bat populations using caves for hibernation and breeding require specific protection measures and disturbance controls. Ancient woodland conservation addresses threats from invasive species, deer browsing, and diseases like ash dieback. The AONB team works to influence quarrying operations, seeking environmental mitigation and eventual restoration of worked-out sites. Water quality monitoring and protection addresses the area's role as a major groundwater source. The partnership promotes sustainable land management practices including traditional dry stone wall maintenance, hedge restoration, and meadow management. Dark skies conservation recognizes the area's value for astronomy with relatively low light pollution. Public engagement programs connect communities and visitors with the landscape's heritage and conservation needs. Climate change adaptation includes supporting ecosystem resilience and addressing impacts on water resources and vulnerable species.