Beacon Batch
Distance: 16.3km (10.12 Miles)
Ascent: 780m (2559ft)
Duration: 4 Hours 30 Minutes
It's been almost 4 years since I was last in Somerset and ever since then I have wanted to go back for a proper little visit (rather than the couple of hours like las time!) I had several walks planned for the next couple of days but I exhausted myself on the first day doing 16 miles so couldn't do much the next day!
Brightly lit cliffs in Cheddar Gorge.
The first view of todays walk - this was taken near Jacobs Ladder (which is a stupid way to get to the ridge as you have to pay to get up and if you walk about 300m down the road there is a public footpath up there!)
Cheddar Gorge through the trees.
Wide open views to the south. The small hill is Nyland Hill.
The village of Cheddar and also Cheddar Reservoir.
The stunning Cheddar Gorge. One of the most amazing places in the south west of the country (that I have discovered so far - any other suggestions welcome by email!)
Cheddar Reservoir and Gorge.
Another shot up the Gorge from one of the many viewpoints along the path up to the top.
Rock faces at Black Rock Quarry.
Here I was crossing the fields south of Beacon Batch (where I saw a huge Buzzard).
Now in the access land and a photo up to Beacon Batch. My route took me round to the right before making my way across to the summit.
My very well defined path with an ancient burial mound to the left and three to the right.
The summit trig column on another ancient burial mound - marked on the OS Map as a Tumulus.
The trig column on Beacon Batch and the path behind which is my route down. I was luck enough to have the summit to myself other than a cyclist who passed the summit at the same time I got here.
I believe that is Weston-Super-Mare over there.
A 360 Panorama from the top of Beacon Batch.
And I also think that is Cardiff across the estuary.
The long straight path leading to more tumuli.
This lovely sunshine really does bring out the colours in the landscape around here!
Open farmland with a view down the Mendip Hills.
