Resources

Discover the semi-natural habitats of the Mendip Hills that have developed as a consequence of a complex interaction of underlying geology, soils, aspect, climate, and a range of other factors.

Find out about how earthquakes occured in the area as a result of the tectonic forces that created the Mendip Hills hundreds of millions of years ago. A summary of a presentation by David Rowley at the finale of the Mendip Rocks! Festival 2017.

A series of downloadable walking routes exploring the landscape, wildlife and history of the Mendip Hills.

Mendip, established in 1978, has evolved into one of the biggest and most reputable outdoor activity providers in the South West. Providing activities from our bases and sites across the Mendip Hills and beyond.

Information on geology related events and projects in the Mendip Hills.

This meadow is a narrow strip of land, part of a much larger Slader's Leigh, which was left when the Cheddar Valley Railway Line was constructed in 1869. Because of its awkward shape the field has never been ploughed or farmed intensively. It is now one of the few remaining pieces of unimproved neutral/acid grassland sites in the Vale of Winscombe.

Everyday thousands of people experience the effect of the Mendip Hills in their own home. If you live near Mendip or around Bristol chances are when you turn on the tap you'll be drinking water that has landed on the hills. The three reservoirs, Chew, Blagdon and Cheddar, supply water to 1.1 million people!

Your very first challenge is to create a mini pond in your garden.

The Mendip Cave Registry shows there are over 2000 registered caves on the Mendip Hills. Caves are linked to many of the 12 ‘special qualities’ of the Mendip Hills AONB; visible geology, evidence of human settlements, archaeology, the limestone aquifer, adventure, so they’re a great way of experiencing Mendip. They also provide a breeding site for the Lesser and Greater Horseshoe bats.

For today's challenge take a garden night walk and explore the wildlife that comes alive at night; from moths, minibeasts, insects to bats and other mammals. Take a torch and see what you discover!

Trees are a hot topic now with the climate emergency. The ancient wooded coombes of the Mendip Hills offer varied rich habitats of national and international importance for a wide diversity of wildlife. But how good are your tree ID skills?

Take a tree walk and practice your identification. You can download the Woodland Trust ID App or use one of the Tree Guide Spotter sheet, links below.

There are over 400km of drystone walls on the Mendip Hills AONB. The walls are a key reason for the designation of the Mendip Hills as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, they are one of the Special Qualities that define Mendip, not to mention a vital lifeline for wildlife such as adders and lizards. Last year our volunteers repaired over 200M of drystone walls on Mendip. Constructing a project is a great way to gain a sense of accomplishment.

So today we are challenging you to create your own mini habitat project for wildlife! The possibilities are endless, you can create a hedgehog home, an insect wood pile or even a bug hotel.