Page 74 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

72 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

left at Draycott, back to B3135 and on
to Priddy. Fork right here for Ebbor
Gorge and Wookey Hole. Park on site.
q The Mendip Hills
Somerset
Running for some 40 km (25 miles)
and not rising above 325 m (1,067 ft),
the Mendip Hills are a comparatively
low-key range, but they present a stark
contrast to Somerset’s gentle, rolling
landscape. They are characterized by
Above Stanton Drew Stone Circle in its bare heathland over the higher areas,
delightful rural setting 0 Stanton Drew Stone Circle and deep limestone gorges riddled
Stanton Drew, Somerset with cave systems which invite
VISITING THE MENDIPS After Avebury, this is the second further exploration (see left). Cheddar
largest of England’s Neolithic stone Gorge and Wookey Hole (both open
The B3135 runs through the Cheddar circle complexes and, like Avebury – daily) can get busy and are both
Gorge which offers rock climbing, and unlike Stonehenge – it’s an somewhat overdeveloped, but
caving and nature walks (01934 742
343; www.cheddargorge.co.uk). Look unfenced site, the irregular-shaped there’s lots to do here, especially for
out also for authentic Cheddar cheese – rocks sprouting out of meadows children, and the caves are spectacular.
the production process can be viewed where cattle quietly graze. There are Unspoiled Ebbor Gorge, west of
at Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company three circles here, the largest at 112 m Wookey Hole, is an important National
(01934 742 810; www.cheddargorge (367 ft) contains 27 stones and is Nature Reserve and has some inviting
cheeseco.co.uk). Ebbor Gorge (with car
park) has several nature-filled walks –the aligned with a burial chamber known marked walking trails. The grassland
area is famous for bats, butterflies and as the Cove 500 m (1,640 ft) away, in areas are criss-crossed by dry-stone
mosses and lichens; carry on east to what is now a pub garden. Originally,
Wookey Hole (01749 672 243; www. avenues of standing stones led up to Mystic Glastonbury
wookey.co.uk). This has many indoor the circles. Many of the stones have
attractions that will appeal to kids. Nowhere else in England has
been damaged over the years, so the quite the same mix of history and
structure of the complex is not easy to New Age romance, religion and
WHERE TO STAY see. However, it remains a calming and superstition, magic and myth, as
mesmerizing site. A local myth tells that Glastonbury. Jesus’ uncle, Joseph
THE MENDIP HILLS of Arimathea, is said to have
Wookey Hole Inn moderate the stones are a wedding party whose visited here; the Chalice Well on
This Inn provides funky accommodation musicians were tricked by the devil Chilkwell Street (and Glastonbury
with a young Bohemian ambience. It into playing on into the Sabbath, at Tor) is supposed to have been the
also offers a great selection of zesty which point they were turned to stone. hiding place of the Holy Grail. In
Belgian beers. ª Return to B3130 west and fork left the grounds of the Abbey, it is
Wookey Hole, BA5 1BP; 01749 676 677; claimed that King Arthur is buried
www.wookeyholeinn.com on B3114. Turn right on A368 and turn alongside Guinevere. Above the
left at Compton Martin to B3371 and town, ley lines are said to cross
WELLS then right onto B3135, to the Cheddar on Glastonbury Tor.
Ancient Gatehouse moderate Gorge. Carry on to A371 east and fork
Quirky old hotel with nine rooms
(two with four-posters), some facing
the cathedral, and a popular Italian
restaurant, Rugantino’s.
20 Sadler Street, BA5 2SE; 01749 672
029; www.ancientgatehouse.com
GLASTONBURY
The George and Pilgrim moderate
Reputedly haunted and full of character
and history, this inn has been in
business for 600 years. Some rooms
have four-posters and there is a
pleasant bar for relaxing and eating.
1 High Street, BA6 9DP; 01458 831 146;
www.historicinnz.co.uk/glastonbury
Right The winding B3135 through the
Cheddar Gorge Far right The sublime
symmetry of Wells Cathedral nave
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150

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