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.

Friday 1st August - 10:00 am.  A visit to Gully Cave.

NOW FULLY BOOKED

Professor Danielle Schreve will be in Ebbor Gorge with her students for their annual two weeks at the cave site. 

Come and hear about the latest finds and discoveries. 


Meet in the Ebbor Gorge car park. Duration around two hours.

Limited to  12 places. Booking essential.

NGR: ST 520 484. What three words ref: ///postings.intend.atomic 

   

Contact Judith on: 01275 874284 or E-mail: Judith.tranter1@btinternet.com to enquire or reserve a place.

Please be aware that the route from the car park to Gully Cave includes steep, rough steps. 

Sunday 3rd August 2025 - 8:30pm.  Bat Walk with Amanda Boyd and Ecologist Dr Matt Booker.

NOW FULLY BOOKED


A short walk using (supplied) Bat Detectors recently funded by the society, walking along the Strawberry Line at dusk from Winscombe to our nature reserve at Slader's Leigh  (Easy).


Meet at the car park of The Woodborough Arms, Winscombe to start this walk. 

Nb. This event is Weather Dependant.  Limited to  15 places max. Booking essential.

NGR: ST 420 576. What three words ref: ///coining.hurry.irritated  (Nb. References are for meeting point)

   

Contact Judith on: 01275 874284  or E-mail: Judith.tranter1@btinternet.com to enquire or reserve a place.

Wednesday August 20th - 11am.  Mendip Hospital Cemetery Visit. Meet by the entrance to the Bishop's Palace, Wells. The one with the swan bell and rampart over the moat, for a short walk (around 2.5 miles) to the Mendip Hospital Cemetery. We will be met by Clare, the Vice Chair for our guided visit. This building is a rare survival of a landscaped Victorian Asylum Cemetery, recently listed Grade 2 by Historic England, is located in a stunningly beautiful setting, abundant with wildflowers, butterflies and birdsong. Please feel free to bring a picnic and return at your leisure.

NGR: ST 551 457. What three words ref. ///class.guides.disbelief £2 for non-members or guests.

   

Contact. Jo Bradshaw on: 07932 728617  (text only please) or E-Mail: walks@themendipsociety.org.uk

Saturday September 6th - 2pm.  Somerset V Hitler: A WW2 walk on Blackdown. A walk of around six miles in total (3+ hours duration). with some uphill sections and potentially rough, wet ground to cover. (Moderate to hard)
Suitable clothing and footwear essential – Starting from The Charterhouse Centre (Car park) - Ending at St Hugh’s Church where teas and a welcome toilet facility will be available. (Small donation appreciated). Limited to 20 places. Booking essential.

NGR: ST 501 557. What three words ref: ///gong.shaky.facelift.   £2 for non-members or guests.

     

Contact Mike Harvey on: 07811 478748 (text only please) or E-Mail: themendipsociety.photos@gmail.com
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.

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.


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!