Geology

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.

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!

The Mendip Hills is one of the best areas in the country to appreciate the relationships between geology, landscape and natural history. 300 million years of geological history are exposed in natural outcrops and quarries. Quarrying has for more than a century been the single most important industry in the Mendip Hills, affecting the lives of those who live and work in the area. Take a trip back in time to see the quarries and the people that worked in them (Quarry Faces link below). Rocks don't have to be boring.

Todays challenge is to collect some rocks, decorate them and make a story about them.

The Mendip Hills provides a unique landscape perfect for adventures such as climbing, caving, mountain biking and walking.

Why not have your own mini adventure at home and do some wild cooking or camping activities in the garden? Whether it’s a BBQ or setting up a tent or even building your own blanket fort in the living room!

This pilot study was undertaken by members of CHERT (Charterhouse Environs Research Team) from September 2007 to March 2008 to establish whether it was possible to identify different styles of stone walls through the historical period. A combination of fieldwork, drawing and documentary research was used to try to establish a wall typology that could be tested in the field and used in other parts of the Mendip Hills AONB.

An exploration of geological time through the rocks and landscapes of the eastern Mendip Hills. A summary of a presentation by Dr Martin Whiteley at the finale of the Mendip Rocks! Festival 2017.

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 report on the findings of research to consider the role dry stone walls play in the
ecological habitat of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Burrington ham is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) which means it is a really important place for wildlife. This book is packed with activities to help you explore Burrington Ham through the seasons.

If you are interested in going caving, one of the best ways of starting is by joining a local caving club or contacting the British Caving Association (BCA). They have the benefit of experienced members, and may be able to provide equipment, training, permits and access to local caves, as well organising trips and expeditions. There are numerous clubs based on or around the Mendip Hills. Many of the larger clubs offer accommodation in huts on or close to Mendip; these are listed below.