Wavering Down, Cross, Axbridge, Somerset
Wavering Down is a hill on the Mendip Ridge near Winscombe, 211m high, forming part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest and nature reserve that’s managed by the National Trust. It’s rugged and wild, mostly comprised of calcareous grasslands and a few small outcrops of limestone. The south facing aspect attracts butterflies and some rare plantlife has been found growing in the thin soil here, including Cheddar Pink and Somerset Hair-Grass.
The views are incredible, especially if you turn your back on the motorway and look out across the Somerset Levels, where the landscape seems to roll on and on forever.
So, if you’re into hill bagging, park in the NT car park just off the A38, lace up your boots and puff your way up through the woods to the trig point at the top of Wavering Down. Sit down and admire the view, tuck into your sandwiches and if you’re feeling up to it, follow the West Mendip Way over to Crook Peak – that funny shaped hill you can see in the near distance.
If you’ve got dogs with you, keep them on leads because there is often livestock grazing on the slopes at Wavering Down. Oh, and if you forget your picnic, or you’re not organised enough to pack one, don’t worry – slink back down to The White Hart on the old coaching road and fill your belly with hearty homemade pub fare.
All information correct at the time of writing