Beyond Bath / The Mendip Hills & Somerset

The Mendip Hills & Somerset

The Mendip hills and levels of Somerset offer a magical blend of history and legend, easily explored from Bath. From Arthurian and Christian monuments to woollen medieval towns and geological landmarks this area is a delight to discover.

Glastonbury Abbey Glastonbury is the Mendip district's most famous town. Steeped in Christian and Pagan legends, the modern-day town is overshadowed by Glastonbury Tor, a dominant feature of the local landscape. The town is a mixture of old and new, with its great Abbey ruins, reputedly the birthplace of Christianity in England and associated with the legends of King Arthur. Today Glastonbury is also famous for its eponymous music festival.

Wells is England's smallest city and is dominated by its cathedral. The 13th century Bishop's Palace is home to the Bishop of Bath and Wells and comes complete with a moat and resident swans.

Wookey Hole Caves Close to Wells are the famous Wookey Hole Caves and Papermill, caverns formed from the Mendip limestone. Other geological landmarks include the dramatic cliffs of Cheddar Gorge, Britain's biggest gorge, and the stunning Cheddar Caves.

Positioned on the Wiltshire border, Frome is a town of picturesque streets and historic buildings, a legacy from its involvement in the wool and cloth industry. Today the town has a thriving arts scene, epitomised by its annual festival.

Other towns that prospered from the wool and leather industries of Somerset include Street. The town has historic connections with the sheepskin trade but has also made its name from a world-famous shoe industry founded by a local family, Clarks. Today Street is known for its factory shopping complex, Clarks village.

The town of Shepton Mallet is strategically placed in the heart of the Mendip district. Its name comes from its Saxon roots as a woollen town and the Roman Fosse Way (now the A37) passes nearby.

Fleet Air Arm Museum To the south are two attractions that bring the stories of speed and flight to Somerset. Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton is packed with historic aircraft, including Concorde.

Haynes Motor Museum Nearby, Haynes International Motor Museum boasts Britain's biggest historic car collection.

How to get here: From Bath take the A367 which passes through Radstock, and then the A37 to Shepton Mallet. Click on the RAC website for a detailed routeplanner. For information on bus routes and timetables see First Group.

Find out more: Drop into Bath's Tourist Information Centre for a selection of free leaflets or paid for Jarrold guides on the Mendips and Somerset.