Shute Shelve Tunnel (Malc McDonald) No, sadly we're not talking about the end of the COVID crisis. We are talking about a real tunnel.
One of the lovely adventures to undertake whilst staying at Gorge View Cottage, or visiting Cheddar, is to cycle along the old Strawberry Line trackbed. From Cheddar is goes to Axbridge, and here is about the only stretch on road as you get routed through the centre of Axbridge (2.5 miles from Cheddar) through the medieval town square and past St John's Hunting Lodge. What follows is the only steep-ish bit, back up to the course of the old railway line. Thereafter, with the occasional well organised road crossings it is flat or a gentle gradient.
The next main stop is Winscombe (5 miles from Cheddar), on the north side of the Mendips at it is on this section that the tunnel comes in, as it cuts under the Mendip ridge. As you see from the photograph it is straight and you can always see the far exit. But at 165m long, in the middle it can seem very dark. Solar lighting put in seems flakey so best to take bike lights or a head torch.
If you still have energy (remembering you must return this way too) then the next main stop just 1.5 miles further on is Sandford. Here a stop is definitely recommended because as the route now jinks through the orchards of Thatchers Cider, you can stop at the recently renovated Railway Inn which as the Thatchers HQ "tap" serves a wide range of ciders, alongside great food. Or pop a tad further along the road to visit the Thatchers shop - local produce and ... well, yes, ... more ciders to taste.
The really keen might want to go the whole way. That gets you the full 11 miles from the cottage to Yatton station, which is on the mainline, from Bristol to Exeter and beyond. The Strawberry Line Cafe at Yatton station is itself worth a stop, run as a community cafe and provides work experience and training to adults with learning difficulties.
The Strawberry Line (National Cycle Route 26) takes its name from the strawberries that were taken to London by train in vast quantities back in the very early 1900s. The rolling stock was especially gentle sprung to protect the fruit. This all came to an end with the Beeching cuts of 1962. There are plans to one day extend it through to Wells and Shepton Mallett, and spurs to Clevedon and to Wrington. Slow work but it will be magical when done.
Guests at Gorge View Cottage are welcome to borrow a couple of reasonable 21-gear bikes, one for ladies and one for gentlemen. We have helmets and can provide lights if needed. If you are not cyclists then the other option is to bus out (First Bus route 126 towards Weston-Super-Mare) and walk back. The bus can drop you at Axbridge, Winscombe or the Railway Inn in Sandford. Cheddar Walking walk #4 describes this, from Winscombe to Cheddar.
One of the lovely adventures to undertake whilst staying at Gorge View Cottage, or visiting Cheddar, is to cycle along the old Strawberry Line trackbed. From Cheddar is goes to Axbridge, and here is about the only stretch on road as you get routed through the centre of Axbridge (2.5 miles from Cheddar) through the medieval town square and past St John's Hunting Lodge. What follows is the only steep-ish bit, back up to the course of the old railway line. Thereafter, with the occasional well organised road crossings it is flat or a gentle gradient.
The next main stop is Winscombe (5 miles from Cheddar), on the north side of the Mendips at it is on this section that the tunnel comes in, as it cuts under the Mendip ridge. As you see from the photograph it is straight and you can always see the far exit. But at 165m long, in the middle it can seem very dark. Solar lighting put in seems flakey so best to take bike lights or a head torch.
If you still have energy (remembering you must return this way too) then the next main stop just 1.5 miles further on is Sandford. Here a stop is definitely recommended because as the route now jinks through the orchards of Thatchers Cider, you can stop at the recently renovated Railway Inn which as the Thatchers HQ "tap" serves a wide range of ciders, alongside great food. Or pop a tad further along the road to visit the Thatchers shop - local produce and ... well, yes, ... more ciders to taste.
The really keen might want to go the whole way. That gets you the full 11 miles from the cottage to Yatton station, which is on the mainline, from Bristol to Exeter and beyond. The Strawberry Line Cafe at Yatton station is itself worth a stop, run as a community cafe and provides work experience and training to adults with learning difficulties.
The Strawberry Line (National Cycle Route 26) takes its name from the strawberries that were taken to London by train in vast quantities back in the very early 1900s. The rolling stock was especially gentle sprung to protect the fruit. This all came to an end with the Beeching cuts of 1962. There are plans to one day extend it through to Wells and Shepton Mallett, and spurs to Clevedon and to Wrington. Slow work but it will be magical when done.
Guests at Gorge View Cottage are welcome to borrow a couple of reasonable 21-gear bikes, one for ladies and one for gentlemen. We have helmets and can provide lights if needed. If you are not cyclists then the other option is to bus out (First Bus route 126 towards Weston-Super-Mare) and walk back. The bus can drop you at Axbridge, Winscombe or the Railway Inn in Sandford. Cheddar Walking walk #4 describes this, from Winscombe to Cheddar.
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