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.

Please note: From 2026 on we are using Zeffy as an online ticketing platform. Clicking the orange  link within the listing will open a separate window that enables you to obtain a ticket.  Most Walks, Talks and Events are still free to members, but you MUST follow the instructions carefully to get your full members benefits.

Zeffy will give you a "chance" to donate to their funding, but you are under absolutely no obligation to do so.

 Saturday January 17th 2026.    Coppicing for Beginners in Tania’s Wood.

Members free, non-members £10 Limited to ten places - must be booked in advance. 

Coppicing is a sustainable woodland management technique where trees are cut back to their base (stool) every few years, encouraging rapid regrowth of multiple, straight stems from dormant buds, providing a renewable source of wooden stakes for fencing and a range of other uses while boosting biodiversity by allowing light to the forest floor for wildflowers and habitats.

This is a precursor to our Beginners Hedge laying course, essential to provide the stakes required. 


Open to all, 16 years + (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult). All tools are provided for the day, but please wear suitable footwear and clothing.

Joining instructions & other information will be sent to participants nearer the date.


To book a place please click here and follow the instructions.   

NGR: ST 540 587.  What three words ref: ///posts.dared.confining


 Saturday January 31st 2026.    Beginners Hedge Laying Training Day.

NOW FULLY BOOKED.

Members free, non-members £20 Limited to twelve places - must be booked in advance. 

Learn the traditional method of managing and rejuvenating hedgerows, to form a dense, living barrier. This technique invigorates plant growth from the base, creates a strong, stockproof barrier, improves wildlife habitats, and extends the hedge's lifespan.


Open to all, 16 years + (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult). All tools are provided for the day, but please wear suitable footwear and clothing.

Joining instructions & other information will be sent to participants nearer the date.


To book a place please click here and follow the instructions.   

NGR: ST 540 587.  What three words ref: ///posts.dared.confining


Sunday February 1st 2026. The Mendip Society WASSAIL - Master of Ceremonies Mr Les Davies MBE

Featuring The Langport Mummers.

This popular annual event returns to Fry's Orchard, Burrington for a second year.  This year starting at 4pm to allow more families to take part.  We also have entertainment from The Langport Mummers   A treat not to be missed. 

Everyone is welcome with a charge of £5 for adults (under 12's free) to cover the cost of food and drink.  Full details are below, but please do book in advance if you can to allow us to gauge numbers and cater accordingly. 

Tickets can be obtained by clicking here and following the instructions. 

Meet at the Village Hall, Burrington Village from 4.00pm.  Ending around 7pm.


Once gathered we will process across the Square to the orchard where a venerable tree will be chosen to receive our blessing and libations. Evil spirits will be dispersed with our loud curses, chants and banging of pots & pans. Then it's back to the hall for more songs, with warming liquors, cake and cheeses etc. and The Langport Mummers.


Warm clothing and hats, plus good boots or shoes are a must for the rough ground, a tin plate or can and a spoon to bang are ideal for noise, also please note that Burrington is a 'no-lights' village, so a torch or similar will be useful at the end. 

NGR:   ST 479 593. What three words ref: ///morphing.nerd.fumes


Sunday March 29th 2026- 10:30am - 12:30pm.  Discover the Nature in Dry Stone Walls.  With MHNL Recovery Ranger, Nathan Orr.

A short, but informative walk with Nathan Orr, recovery ranger for MHNL. 

Members free, non-members £5.00.

Generally easy going, but there will be stiles to be negotiated, and you should expect quite a lot of standing still while Nathan "shows and tells". 

Therefore warm layers and wet weather gear is advisable. 

Limited to 20 places.  Tickets can be obtained by clicking   here   and following the instructions.


Meeting at Deer Leap Car Park:  Deer Leap, Priddy, Somerset, England, BA5 1EL

NGR: ST 519 492. What three words ref: ///variances.larger.bookings

Saturday April 11th 2026- 10:00am - 1:00pm.  The Mendip Society AGM.  Followed by guest speaker, Richard Ellam.

ALL members welcome - no need to book.  This is YOUR chance to have a say in the running of your society. Guests are welcome after the official business is concluded for the talk. “Stockton to Crystal Palace”.

Venue: Draycott Memorial Hall, Latches Ln, Draycott. BS27 3FN. 

NGR: ST 473 512. What three words ref: ///pram.burglars.lightens

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. 
  • Steep. Indicates that a significant part of a walk is on hillside or involves steep ground - a good level of fitness is therefore required.


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