A photographic exhibition of the spectacular Mendip Hills landscape took place online and at a one-off event in October 2023, with images projected onto the rockfaces of Cheddar Gorge. The exhibition was then available to view at the Wells & Mendip Museum from August until the end of October 2025.
The original project aimed to promote the special qualities of the Mendip Hills through geology, whilst also capturing ‘Moments on Mendip’ and encouraging people to spend time in the landscape, learning how to capture images that celebrated the area.
There are 12 special qualities that make the Mendip Hills a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Landscape) – from caves and limestone grasslands to drystone walls and ancient human settlements – all unpinned by geology.
Two free photography workshops were run for the public and the public were invited to share their photos of the area’s special qualities. Images were collected using Iszy.ai allowing easy upload and publication to an online gallery.
Ash tree canopy on Quartzitic Sandstone projected onto the rocks in Cheddar Gorge © Elizabeth Woodger
On Sunday 22nd October 2023, the project culminated in a free, one-off outdoor exhibition in Cheddar Gorge where the 12 specially commissioned images (one for each special quality), created by photographic artist Dr Elizabeth Woodger, were projected onto the rock faces, transforming the lower section of Cheddar Gorge.
The collection of images is called ‘Menhir’ (find out more below) and the event and exhibition were part of the Mendip Rocks! Festival of Geology. Photos taken by the public were also projected onto the rocks, celebrating and showcasing the local landscape and local talent. Over 2,000 people attended the event, where the road was closed to allow people to safely enjoy the images, dark skies, and iconic natural environment.
View the Menhir photographs next to each special quality here…
