Walks & Events

Mendip Society Events

Would all members please be sure to carry their membership cards as proof of current membership when attending society events and talks.  Event organisers have been asked to check eligibility in order to be fair to all.

Walks, Talks and Events.

Saturday September 20th - 10am.  Axbridge Hillside Walk. 

A 5km walk from the reservoir,  with an ascent of approx. 150m - to be taken at a steady pace, with plenty of pauses to admire the views. We will then walk and old sheep drove to Shute shelf, with stunning views across the levels and on a clear day over to Wales. 

Meet at 10:00 at Cheddar reservoir (Axbridge) car park. 


NGR: ST 439 543. What three words ref:///curable.wording.masterpiece £2 for non-members or guests.

   
Contact. Jo Bradshaw on: 07932 728617 (Whatsapp or text) or E-Mail: walks@themendipsociety.org.uk to enquire or book a place.
Saturday October 4th - 10am.  Autumn East Mendip Walk. Meet in recreation ground car park, Stoke St MIchael BA3 5JL. Duration 3.5 to 4hrs. 6.1miles (Moderate to hard)
A Circular Walk based around Stoke St Michael, passing Cranmore Tower, the highest point of the East Mendips and an impressive Beech Wood. Good views. Ascents and Descents are gentle. Many of the stiles are wooden or stone. 
NGR: ST 660 471. What three words ref: ///buffoon.rhino.saga.  £2 for non-members or guests.
   
Contact Ian Dagger on: 07835 236191 (text only please) or E-Mail: laddie05@outlook.com to enquire or book a place.
Thursday 23rd October - 2pm - 4pm.  A visit to Ebbor Grove Farm.  A farm walk and talk to meet Neil and Lottie on their regenerative beef farm.  Learn how they farm in harmony with nature without the use of chemicals, keeping native Ruby Red cattle to produce the highest quality slow-grown beef.  Meet the small herd, all born on the farm and after the walk enjoy tea and homemade cake back in their barn.

Walk will be at a slow pace to allow us to listen to Neil and Lottie and enable questions to be asked.  Approx 2 km, 1.25 miles (Easy). Please wear suitable waterproof footwear, the ground can be muddy and uneven.

 This regenerative farm sits just above Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve on the southern edge of the Mendip Plateau. Most of the farm is at about 250 metres above sea level with fantastic views across the Somerset levels to Glastonbury Tor, the Bristol Channel, the Quantocks and even Exmoor on a clear day.
Directions: From Priddy green, drive past the Queen Victoria pub on your right and continue slightly uphill for about a mile until you reach a small brow of the hill with large Beech trees on your left. The drove is an unmade road on your left just after the trees. 
NGR: ST 525 395. What three words ref: ///mealtime.canoe.beaters £2 for non-members or guests.
 
Booking essential. Nb. to go ahead, this event requires a minimum of ten participants.
Contact. Jo Bradshaw on: 07932 728617 (Whatsapp or text) or E-Mail: walks@themendipsociety.org.uk to enquire or book a place.
Friday November 28th - 7pm - 9:30pm. (Doors open at 6:45) Secret World Wildlife Rescue. A talk with slides
 Join us and George Bethell of Secret World, at Bishop Sutton Village Hall, Wick Road, Bishop Sutton BS39 5XQ.
For a fascinating talk and slide show about the work of Secret World.  As it will be less than a month to Christmas, we will follow the talk with a Christmas Social, including a drink and mince pie. 
NGR: ST 583 593. What three words ref: ///lamp.youths.reclusive  Free to members, £5 charge to non-members and guests.

Contact Liz Dagger on:  07740 468 406 (text only please) or E-Mail: cvhsdagger@gmail.com for further details.
Nb. Booking not essential, but please do let Liz know if you intend to come along in order to ensure an ample supply of food and drink. 

Walks are graded as follows:


  • Easy. Up to 4 miles (1½ - 2hrs), less than 50m of continuous ascent, mainly low gradients or flat. Terrain mainly undemanding, eg reasonable paths used, little loose rock, stones or large areas of mud or water.
  • Moderate. 4 – 6 miles (2- 3½ hrs), 50m-150m of continuous ascent, terrain undulating but either one significant hill or several smaller ones. Terrain may include small areas of rock, loose stones, mud, minor scrub.
  • Harder. More than 6 miles of the type of walking in the Moderate class, or continuous steep ascents of more than 150m (400ft) or a number of smaller steep hills or more than one of these features. Terrain as Moderate class or worse. 


For any queries please contact the Walk Coordinator (see Contact page).

Events by others



Sandford Station Railway Heritage Centre

Open from Saturday 5th   April.


Open every weekend and Bank Holiday until end of October from 11am  Last Visitors through door 4pm.

Drinks : Cake : Snacks and Ices available from the Block House Servery as usual with access from the Strawberry Line.

Find us at www.sandfordstation.co.uk or on Facebook.


St. Thomas a Becket, Pensford.

Last year, the Mendip Society gave a grant to ensure the clock face of this historic (deconsecrated) church could be repaired. The church room is now occasionally open for teas and visits to the top of the tower. The “Friends of St. Thomas a Becket” will be opening the tower to visitors on Saturday 23rd August (Bank Holiday) and Sunday 7th September.  There is a small charge for the tower visit. 


Nb: the winding stone stair steps are steep, rather narrow and have only a rope on the central column for support. The exit at the top is a bit restricted and requires a reasonable level of agility but the view from the top is worth it.

Please note that the deadline for entries has been extended to July 6th. 

The actual festival will be on 13th and 14th September at St Andrews,

Chew Magna

Unearth the secrets of the Mendip Hills at the thrilling Mendip Rocks! Festival – a celebration of the incredible geology that defines our stunning landscape!

Join a jam-packed programme of events that bring the story of the rocks beneath our feet to life. Discover how the geology of the Mendips shaped ancient landscapes, human history, and the rich wildlife that still thrives here today.

From the captivating Mary Anning Exhibition and museum open day to expert-led geo walks, inspiring geology talks, and exclusive tours of working quarries, there’s something to spark everyone’s curiosity.

Whether you’re a budding young fossil hunter or a seasoned rock enthusiast – come and explore, learn, and be inspired. Mendip Rocks! is where geology comes alive!