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Published: October 24th 2007
Somerton
Some nice old buildings in Somerton Day 12 Somerton - Bristol via Cheddar Gorge
48 miles (366)
After a pleasant evening meal at the Halfway House Pub -recommended for good beer and trough!- I awoke to a fine morning and after a leisurely breakfast I saddled up and after a little explore of the town set off retracing my route back on to the levels and back up the hill to Shapwick.
Descending from Shapwick back on to the levels I stopped off to spend a while at Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve . A fine trail led through the withy scrub and fen habitats of this fine site.
Moving on I climbed back on to the hill to pass through the attractive village of Wedmore and on to Cheddar. After the quiet lanes Cheddar was a rude shock with masses of coaches, traffic and tacky gift shops. Setting off up the gorge I wondered if the entire Gorge was a carpark but the route both provided a challenge and spectacular views. Only stopping to take photographs I puffed my way to the top, an ascent of nearly 900 ft. .
Up on top of the Mendips lovely lanes meandered through a lovely
Old chapel in Somerton
My accommodation for the night! open landscape past the historic Charterhouse Church and the old lead workings of the Udley Warren National Nature Reserve. After a few more miles on the roof of the world a steep and rather muddy lane brought me down to West Harptree. On past the Chew Valley lake for an afternoon tea stop at The Chew Lake Visitor Centre. Navigating my way out of Chew Magna was difficult but eventually I followed the Avon trail link route up a long ascent to the top of Dundry hill close to Bristol airport. Just before I crossed the busy A38 there was a fine view down across the city. The final route took me through Barrow Gurney and across to Ashton eventually reaching the river Avon in central Bristol then following the city bike routes to Temple Meads station for my train home.
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