Axbridge Walks
This Somerset based town is in a great location for exploring the wonderful Cheddar Gorge and Cheddar Reservoir. The town itself is also a lovely place for a stroll with a medieval town square and many old black and white timber framed buildings to admire.
This circular walk from the town takes you up into the Mendip Hills, climbing to Shute Shelve Hill, Axbridge Hill, Wavering Down and the wonderful viewpoint at Crook Peak. There's also some nice waterside trails along the Cheddar Yeo River and along Cheddar Reservoir on this varied walk.
The walk starts in the town centre and follows footpaths north up to Axbridge Hill and Shute Shelve Hill. You continue to Callow Drove, turning west to King's Wood where you can pick up the West Mendip Way. Follow the waymarked footpath west and it will take you to the trig point on Wavering Down.
The route continues west to Compton Hill, Barton Hill and Crook Peak where there are far reaching views to the coast.
You descend to the south east to Compton Bishop village and Cross where you can pick up a footpath along the Cheddar Yeo River. Continue to Stubbington Grove and the turn east to visit Cheddar Reservoir where you pass along the western side of the water before returning to the town centre.
Axbridge Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Axbridge Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Axbridge OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Axbridge Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Axbridge
- Cheddar Gorge - This is a circular walk around the magnificent Cheddar Gorge in Somerset.
- Cheddar Reservoir - Follow the waterside path around this reservoir on this easy circular walk in Somerset
- Crook Peak - Climb to Crook Peak from the village of Compton Bishop on this fine circular walk in the Mendip Hills
- Strawberry Line (Yatton to Cheddar) - This splendid walk and cycle path runs along a former railway line that used to transport strawberries from Cheddar.
You start by Yatton railway station and head south passing Congresbury and Axbridge before finishing in Cheddar - Brent Knoll - This nice circular walk climbs to a prominent hill on the Somerset Levels
- Bleadon Hill - Enjoy great views to the Somerset Levels and coast on this climb to Bleadon Hill
- Velvet Bottom Circular Walk - This circular walk explores Velvet Bottom, a nature reserve in a dry limestone valley, located just to the north east of Cheddar Gorge.
- Chard Reservoir - Enjoy an easy circular walk around this pretty reservoir in Somerset
- Goblin Combe - Explore this peaceful wooded valley on this lovely circular walk in North Somerset
- Ebbor Gorge - This circular walk explores a wonderful limestone gorge near Wookey Hole
- Westhay Moor - This walk visits the Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve on the Somerset Levels.
Pubs/Cafes
On the route you could stop off at the New Inn at Cross. They do a great Sunday Roast which you can enjoy in the lovely garden area with views of the Mendips. There's also some historical interest with the pub dating back to the 1600s. You can find them on the Old Coach Road at postcode BS26 2EE for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The country and woodland trails are great for fit dogs. The New Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
One of the highlights in the town is the splendid King John's Hunting Lodge. This National Trust run museum is housed in a wonderful old Tudor building. It includes exhibits relating to local geology and history from the Neolithic to World War II.
The Strawberry Line passes through the area. This shared cycling and walking trail runs along a disused railway line from Yatton to Cheddar.
Photos
The Square, Axbridge, Somerset, seen from the southwest from from King John's Hunting Lodge. The tower is that of St John the Baptist's parish church.
On Shute Shelve Hill. Great view down to Cheddar Reservoir.
Houses on Cuck Hill
Crook Peak towards Compton Hill
The top of Wavering Down
Axbridge : the former railway station with its attractive barge boards. The station functioned between 1869 and 1963. The A371 bypass makes use of the former line of the rail track on the far side of the building.
Cheddar Reservoir from the top of Wavering Down, Somerset
Cheddar Yeo near Cross