Thurs 29 Oct 10am – 1pm
Cheddar Gorge Guided Walk – part of the Mendip Rocks! Festival
A walk with the AONB Volunteer Rangers exploring England’s largest gorge with its weathered crags and pinnacles – one of our most spectacular natural sites. 5 miles – strenuous climbs.
Meet outside the National Trust shop and information centre in Cheddar Gorge, ST 468543.
Booking essential, Andy Mallender (AONB) 01761 462338 or amallender@somerset.gov.uk
C
heddar Walking launch weekend is here, and at 11am on Friday 4th there will be an official opening ceremony outside the National Trust shop in Cheddar Gorge. BBC Somerset, Visit Somerset, our local MP James Heappey, representatives of Walkers are Welcome, and other local dignitaries will be present for the cutting of the ribbon and popping some Cheddar “champagne”, followed by a short led walk.
On Saturday there are two free walks, one at 10.30 around the top of the Gorge, and another at 2pm around Cheddar Reservoir. If you would like to come and support Cheddar’s new walking initiative it would be great to see you!
If you run a local business or organisation in Cheddar and would like to support our Walkers are Welcome initiative, please spend a minute or two completing this survey to let us know what facilities and services you offer to promote the enjoyment of walking in the Cheddar area.
Free web site listings on this site and window stickers will be provided for those who indicate a commitment to support the scheme.
Cheddar, situated within Sedgemoor, has become the first village in the Mendip Hills – and only the fifth community in Somerset – to be awarded the ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ accreditation which denotes places with something special for walkers.
News that the executive of the Walkers Are Welcome UK Network had approved Cheddar’s membership was greeted with delight by the Cheddar Walking Group which has been working on its application since February.
“We are absolutely thrilled,” said chairman, Huw Robson. “We thought we had a good case as we have the backing of Sedgemoor District Council, Cheddar Parish Council, Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the community but we still had to keep our fingers crossed that we met the other criteria.
“Gaining the accreditation is a huge boost for us and I would like to thank everyone who has worked hard to help us reach this stage but now the work really begins as we put together a selection of guided walks and a programme of events.”
Among the things the group has to do to demonstrate its long term commitment to the scheme are survey the footpaths around the village and surrounding area, report any problems, establish new walks and improve facilities for walkers.
Cheddar Walking is planning an official launch of the scheme on September 4 with a special walk and the group has been approached by Mendip Ramblers about holding its walking festival in Cheddar next year.
Huw said: “We have set up our own website and we will be listing businesses that support the scheme and encouraging them to put Walkers Are Welcome stickers on their windows and literature showing they are happy to help make it a great experience for walkers visiting our village.”
There are more than 100 places in the UK that have become members of the Walkers Are Welcome scheme since it started in 2007.
For more information, email: contact@cheddarwalking,co.uk or visit www.cheddarwalking.org.uk.
July 23rd 2015- Historic Walk around historic Cheddar – with Sue Shaw
Discover the hidden industrial history and significant buildings of interest in the Lower Gorge and village. Led by local historic landscape and buildings researcher Sue Shaw, the 1.5 hour walk of approximately 2 miles will reveal a past that included a shirt factory, manufacture of charabanc bodies and fine paper making.
Booking details: Booking essential as limit of 15 places. Book via Mendiphills@somerset.gov.uk or tel 01761 462338
£5 per person ( all profits to Cheddar Walkers are Welcome group).
Festival of Archaeology event: http://www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk/