Photo by Nigel Mykura
One of the joys of the area is cycling. Quietly and healthily you can amble (or power) your way along and get that much further and faster than just walking. And you take in so much more than by car. Best of all it is a very sustainable form of transport.
But you don't have to be a pointy-helmeted, lycra-clad type to enjoy cycling around here (unlike the photo which is the Tour of Britain charging up the Gorge road). Certainly up and around the Mendips are some fine but hilly cycle rides. But we are also lucky to be on the edge of the Somerset Levels which, as their name suggests, are pretty flat with many lovely and quiet lanes crossing the fields and peat moors.
Running right to and through Cheddar is the "Strawberry Line" cycle path, so named as it follow the path of the railway line of the same name which famously took strawberries from the Cheddar slopes to London at the turn of the last century. Good for cyclists and walkers, it follow the path of the old railway line all the way to (and of course from) Yatton, where there is a mainline station with links to Bristol and the North, and Taunton, Exeter and the South West. There is also a lovely new community-run cafe in the old station building. A ten-mile almost wholly off-road and fairly flat route, it has a few notable features including a good tunnel as it cuts through the Mendips near Winscombe (it is now lit), and a part of the path wends through the apple orchards of Thatchers the local cider makers (and yes, they have a small shop for tasters and purchasing). The line originally went on from Cheddar to Wells along the foot of the Mendips, and efforts are under way to complete the path to Wells, but that will not be for some time yet, although you can plot a reasonable route on lanes that avoid the main road.
And talking about plotting routes, I have just come across a very useful web site called Bikehike. It lets you plot any cycle route on Google Maps or OS maps and then get a gradient/elevation mapping which shows you exactly what you might be letting yourself in for. A bit fiddly to understand the first time but fairly straightforward after you learn the ropes.
If you are encouraged to cycle, but don't have your own bikes (or cannot bring them) then either you can hire bikes in the village (Cheddar Cycle Store) or we are happy you lend you a couple of adult bikes that are fine for an amble (but not state-of-the-art) and are not professionally maintained - you get what you see!
But you don't have to be a pointy-helmeted, lycra-clad type to enjoy cycling around here (unlike the photo which is the Tour of Britain charging up the Gorge road). Certainly up and around the Mendips are some fine but hilly cycle rides. But we are also lucky to be on the edge of the Somerset Levels which, as their name suggests, are pretty flat with many lovely and quiet lanes crossing the fields and peat moors.
Running right to and through Cheddar is the "Strawberry Line" cycle path, so named as it follow the path of the railway line of the same name which famously took strawberries from the Cheddar slopes to London at the turn of the last century. Good for cyclists and walkers, it follow the path of the old railway line all the way to (and of course from) Yatton, where there is a mainline station with links to Bristol and the North, and Taunton, Exeter and the South West. There is also a lovely new community-run cafe in the old station building. A ten-mile almost wholly off-road and fairly flat route, it has a few notable features including a good tunnel as it cuts through the Mendips near Winscombe (it is now lit), and a part of the path wends through the apple orchards of Thatchers the local cider makers (and yes, they have a small shop for tasters and purchasing). The line originally went on from Cheddar to Wells along the foot of the Mendips, and efforts are under way to complete the path to Wells, but that will not be for some time yet, although you can plot a reasonable route on lanes that avoid the main road.
And talking about plotting routes, I have just come across a very useful web site called Bikehike. It lets you plot any cycle route on Google Maps or OS maps and then get a gradient/elevation mapping which shows you exactly what you might be letting yourself in for. A bit fiddly to understand the first time but fairly straightforward after you learn the ropes.
If you are encouraged to cycle, but don't have your own bikes (or cannot bring them) then either you can hire bikes in the village (Cheddar Cycle Store) or we are happy you lend you a couple of adult bikes that are fine for an amble (but not state-of-the-art) and are not professionally maintained - you get what you see!
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