We’ve never been down that way. Can anyone offer advice on things to do/where to go/eat/drink/ride/run etc etc?
Married couple, 2 dogs. Hoping to take gravel bike. Will be taking off road running shoes. We’re veggie. Going in May and renting a cottage.
Ta.

Hmm, interesting, will keep an eye on this…

Caving. Find a guide/group and give it a go. You’ll probably start in Goatchurch as that’s the standard beginners cave. Probably the Hunters in Priddy for a pint after… but it’s been a while so I don’t know if the pub has changed.

May is usually ok for riding. Mendips has a rightfully earned reputation for awful mud, so be aware. Gravel bikes will, generally speaking be under-gunned for ‘true off-road’™, but ideal for the many broken roads present around the main plateau. However, the locals use them like luge runs, so it might not be too pleasant an experience.

Lots of good, woodsy, semi-technical singletrack, mostly away from the RoW network. Rocky like the light peak, but not so high. Depending where you’re from, the climbing can be a bit stiff. Fantastic views over the levels from the top of Cheddar Gorge, Deer leap or Ebbor Gorge.

Loads of quaint villages. Pubs can be a lottery. The Swan at Rowberrow and the Plume of Feathers at Rickford, the Langford Inn at, err, Langford, and the Ring o’Bells at Compton Martin deserve special mention.

Chew Valley and the lake is nice with walks all the way around, its been a long time since I went to Wookie Hole with the kids, but we laughed our asses off whilst we were there (15 years ago) in the amusements. Burrington Combe gives reasonable parking and access from the top to Blackdown and Burrington commons (the Ham) for walking/riding.

Maybe we’re a bit spolied in Bristol but, whilst pleasant, the Mendip Hills aren’t somewhere I’d call a holiday destination. Go a bit further to Exmoor or Dartmoor, or over to the Brecon Beacons.

Crown Inn at Churchill, trump’s The Swan nearby for olde world’s…if you are real foodies push the boat out for Sunday lunch at The Ethicurian but book 3 months in advance.

There is also cider of course. Who is driving home ??

Glad you are married and not proposing there,op.😉

If you are up for a lung and leg bust, Draycott’s New Rd says hi, you can link it up with some tamer climbing from the other side of the main road for a bit of a warmup! 😆

Dearleap is pretty brutal too in parts, heading north towards Ebbor Gorge! 😮

Depends how far you want to run, but there’s a footpath along the top of each side of Cheddar Gorge which makes a good circular route. It can get busy at the weekends, Burrington Combe is quieter and has a similar footpath route. Ebbor Gorge Nature Reserve (near Wookey Hole) also has a good circular footpath route.

Strawberry Line would be good for gravel bikes, or just wander round the droves on the levels round Wells, Glastonbury.
The Sheppey in Godney, Hundred Monkeys in Glastonbury, Ajwa in Wells for food.
Where in the Mendips are you staying?

The views from trig point on Black Down on a clear day are fantastic. Link this with Rowborrow and Dolebury Warren for a longer walk/run. Woods above  Upper Langford a good path joining bottom of Burrington Combe with Dolebury.

Ancient sites with Burial mounds on Black Down, Iron Age Hill fort on Dolebury. Roman lead works have left a large mark on the landscape and can be used to join edge of Blackdown to top of Cheddar Gorge.

Riding is possible most of that area but gravel bike might be a little overwhelmed.

Glastonbury is just the place to find a vegan cafe and you can run up the tor to build up an appetite.

Priddy is another great place for walking/running and caving if that’s your thing.

The city of Wells is worth a visit if you like medieval buildings.

The levels are a world apart and probably good hunting ground for the gravel bikes. Of course the Quantocks are not far and recommend starting at Holford Green and climbing up the Combes to the top and then enjoy glorious views down the coast. Bike or run or walk the area welcomes all.

Enjoy