Photo: Pauline Eccles Most of our guests tend to get out and enjoy at least one walk around the lower gorge, up on to the Mendips, or out along the levels - maybe on the Strawberry Line and then around the reservoir. A good many come here specifically for the walking because Cheddar is an ideal hub for the Mendips Hill and the Somerset Levels.
Well now we're helping to make that official. Across Great Britain towns and villages that are prime destinations for walkers are stepping up and getting formal accreditation as a "Walkers are Welcome" town or village, and there is an active steering group at work to get the stamp of approval for Cheddar. This is no rubber stamping exercise. To become a WaW destination you have to demonstrate a real commitment at the community level to ensure walkers of all levels are indeed welcome. That the paths are well way-marked, kept in good condition and there are maps and guides for those coming. That the shops, accommodation, faces and pubs really are making an effort - no sneering down noses as muddy walking boots turn up.
We at Gorge View Cottage are actively involved in supporting this great initiative. Cheddar is such an obvious walking destination: we're at the cross over of 4 long-distance paths: the Mendip Ways (Weston-Super-Mare to Wells to Frome), Samaritans Way (Bristol to Lynton), Monarchs Way (Stratford-upon-Avon to Charmouth) and the Limestone Link (Cotswolds to Mendips). And then the national cycle routes which, like the Strawberry Line are great paths too. By using this initiative to improve things further we hope to make it a really excellent experience for all. The bigger ambition is to have the village host an annual walking festival - but that will probably have to be in 2016 - let's get the first steps complete and get that official stamp of approval.
So get your boots and cagoule ready and come on down.
Well now we're helping to make that official. Across Great Britain towns and villages that are prime destinations for walkers are stepping up and getting formal accreditation as a "Walkers are Welcome" town or village, and there is an active steering group at work to get the stamp of approval for Cheddar. This is no rubber stamping exercise. To become a WaW destination you have to demonstrate a real commitment at the community level to ensure walkers of all levels are indeed welcome. That the paths are well way-marked, kept in good condition and there are maps and guides for those coming. That the shops, accommodation, faces and pubs really are making an effort - no sneering down noses as muddy walking boots turn up.
We at Gorge View Cottage are actively involved in supporting this great initiative. Cheddar is such an obvious walking destination: we're at the cross over of 4 long-distance paths: the Mendip Ways (Weston-Super-Mare to Wells to Frome), Samaritans Way (Bristol to Lynton), Monarchs Way (Stratford-upon-Avon to Charmouth) and the Limestone Link (Cotswolds to Mendips). And then the national cycle routes which, like the Strawberry Line are great paths too. By using this initiative to improve things further we hope to make it a really excellent experience for all. The bigger ambition is to have the village host an annual walking festival - but that will probably have to be in 2016 - let's get the first steps complete and get that official stamp of approval.
So get your boots and cagoule ready and come on down.
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