Are you ready to discover the Darker Side of Mendip?

The Mendip Hills National Landscape is a place steeped in the legends of Vikings, witches, kings and ancient civilisations. It’s a landscape waiting to be explored; a landscape full of stories waiting to be discovered. This Halloween sees the launch of a book that will help you do just that!

The book called “Walking the Darker Side of Mendip” contains a series of 10 walks, each opening a window to the region’s dramatic scenery and storied past. The walks range in length from 1 to 4 miles and each walk is accompanied by a legend from the area’s past. There’s lots of practical information including thorough route descriptions, easy to follow instructions and maps for each path, as well as practical details such as parking locations and postcodes. 

Kelly Davies, Sustainable Recreation Officer for the Mendip Hills National Landscape Team said:
“I have loved helping to produce this book, I’ve discovered so many fascinating stories that have been handed down across the centuries. Legends of Vikings and beasts, stories of ghosts and battles from a time when the Mendip Hills was very different than it is today. I have also really enjoyed the walks, discovering new areas and new versions of well-known walks. We hope that “Walking the Darker Side of Mendip” will help share these stories, keeping the legends alive and helping people see the Mendip Hills National Landscape through new eyes”.

The book has been produced by the Mendip Hills National Landscape Team, in collaboration with Les Davies MBE and Sue Gearing. All profits from sales of the book go to The Mendip Hills Fund, which supports projects that benefit communities and the environment of the Mendip Hills. 

Walking the Darker Side of Mendip is available now to buy for £9.99 (plus postage and packing) from the Mendip Hills National Landscape online shop and local retailers – visit our online shop here!