Cycling Breaks
The White Hart Hotel and Wells are the ideal location for exploring the beautiful Mendip Hills and Somerset Levels. We offer a 2-3 night break in Double and Twin bedded accommodation. The Mendips Hills is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
£56.00 per person per night (sharing a twin or double bedded room) to include Dinner, bed and full English breakfast. Minimum stay 2 nights
- Laundry and Drying facilities
- Cycle storage
- Maps and Routes supplied
Mendip offers a wide variety of opportunities for exploring the area by bicycle - whether your interests lie in short afternoon rides or longer tours lasting a day or more.
The scenery of the Mendip Hills and Somerset Levels can be well appreciated by bike; the world moves at a more leisurely pace than in a car, and you can observe the landscapes and wildlife more easily. The Levels country in particular is a joy to cycle in, where mile after mile of almost totally flat (though still appealing) minor roads and lanes enable you to cover surprising distances with ease.
Whether you choose to bring your own bike or hire one locally, the following suggested routes encompass some of the district’s many interesting features and attractions. The routes are not described in detail due to space restrictions, but reference to the relevant 1:50,000 “Landranger” Ordnance Survey Maps, on sale at local TICs, bookshops and many newsagents, should enable you to work out your own preferred route between specific points. (The OS Landranger Sheet No 183 “Yeovil to Frame” covers most of the Mendip District.) Routes may be joined at any point, or adapted to suit the time available. You are advised to carry waterproof clothing and a small tool kit, including a puncture repair outfit.
Route 1: Mendip Hills Tour (15 miles approx.). Steep in parts, undulating on Mendip plateau.
Wells (see Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace; Museums, etc.) Wookey Hole (see Caves, etc.) Ebbor George (via steep hill, but levels off on Mendip plateau) - Priddy (site of annual Sheep Fair in August; see hurdles stack on village green; pubs offering refreshment) - Charterhouse (site of Roman Fort and lead mines) - Castle of Comfort - Stockhill Forest (Priddy Mineries Nature Reserve opposite) - Upper MiltonWells.
Route 2: Peat Moors Tour (15 miles approx.). Very flat.
Glastonbury (see Abbey, Rural Life Museum, Tribunal, Tor, etc.) - Northload Street (site of Lake Village 1)2 miles approx. from Glastonbury) - Godney - Lower Godney- Westhay (via Peat Workings on Westhay Moor) - (see Peat Moors Visitor Centre on road to Shapwick south of West hay) OxenpilVMeare (see Abbot’s Fish House) Ashcott Corner - Buscott - east to Avalon Farm - Cradlebridge Farm - Beckery Glastonbury.
Route 3: Apple Orchards Tour (16 miles approx.). Mainly flat.
Glastonbury or Street - Butleigh Road (South Moor) - Baltonsborough (birthplace of St. Dunstan, see Parish Church) – Ham - Street - Lottisham - Southwood - Catsham Barton St. David - Butleigh - Butleigh Wootton - Glastonbury/Street.
Route 4: Central Mendip VIllages (16 miles approx,). Undulatinghilly in parts.
Shepton Mallet - Doulting Cranmore (see East Somerset Railway) Chesterblade - Stoney Stratton Evercreech - Pylle (see lovely church) Pilton - Burford - West Compton - Shepton Mallet.
Route 5: Eastern Mendip Tour (14 miles approx.) rolling hills.
FromeEgford - Vallis Vale (attractive wooded valley) - Great Elm - Mells (see Village Church) - Whatley (see Vineyard and Herb garden) - Nunney (see ruined castle) Trudoxhill - Lower Marston - ‘lYtheringto_ Little Keyford - Frome.
Route 6: North-East Mendip Tour (16 miles approx.). Undulating - hilly in parts.
Frome - Oldford - Lullington Woolverton - Rode (see Tropical Bird Gardens) - Tellisford - Farleigh Hungerford (see Castle) - Norton St. Philip (see Rare Breed_ Centrffand historic George Inn) Laverton - Lullington - Oldford - Frome.
Obtain a copy of “MENDIP CYCLE ROUTES” - detailing six on-road cycle routes exploring Mendip’s countryside and towns. On sale at all local Tourist Information Centres (price 75p).
© Copyright 2001 - White Hart Wells
