New off-road route links Charterhouse to Priddy 

A new multi-user access route crossing that links Charterhouse to Priddy has been opened by Holt Farms Ltd, improving access for local communities and visitors across the Mendip Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). 

The 5.5km long multi-user route is open to walkers, horse-riders, off-road cyclists, and off-road mobility scooters. It provides a safe, off-road route linking Priddy to Charterhouse and Nordrach for the first time. Gates all open both ways and are specifically designed to be easy to use for all, including people who are on horseback, have limited mobility, or are partially sighted. From each end, networks of permissive paths and public rights of way stretch out across the hills. 

From Charterhouse, the route links in with paths down through the unique ‘gruffy ground’ of the Ubley Warren nature reserve, a relic of the Celtic, Roman, and Victorian lead mining activities, and with Velvet Bottom nature reserve, connected to the top of Cheddar Gorge with its striking exposed limestone cliff faces. From the Priddy end, the route links in with paths across the southern slopes and the stunning species-rich grasslands found there, or up into Priddy Mineries and Stockhill Forest. 

The route itself is flat, with a few slopes, making it suitable for users of different ages and abilities. It passes several scheduled monuments, a testament to the ancient peoples of Somerset, and showcases the tranquil agricultural landscape of the plateau, with far-reaching views across the top of the hills. The route is fenced in some areas to separate the path from farm animals, but along most of the route there is no fencing. Where there is no fencing, please keep to the edges of the fields following the arrows and the route marked on the map to avoid any damage to crops. Many of the fields the route passes through have good numbers of ground-nesting skylark, which make for a wonderful wildlife encounter, but are not always easy to spot. If you chose to take your dog with you, please keep it under close control to help nature’s recovery in these areas, and to protect livestock that can be scared by even the friendliest dog. 

The work for this new access route also included restoring 100m of drystone wall using traditional techniques to create valuable habitat for local wildlife like the adder – another key special quality of the Mendip Hills AONB enhanced through this project. 

This route has been funded by the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme via the Mendip Hills AONB Service. Other projects delivered through this scheme have included hedgerow-planting, creating space for nature along a farmland stream, holding a public event to showcase the benefits of natural fibres and the link between Mendip farmland and British wool production, maintenance works to a traditional Somerset orchard, start-up costs for an outdoor education charity, and many more. Head to our Farming Case Studies page for a full list. 

Download a map of the full route here.