Crook Peak
Climb to Crook Peak from the village of Compton Bishop on this fine circular walk in the Mendip Hills. The hill and the adjacent Wavering Down are a splendid place for a walk with wonderful views over the countryside to the coast. The route uses part of the West Mendip Way to take you across the downs where you will reach a height of nearly 700ft. On a clear day you can see all the way to Brean Down and Porthkerry on the Welsh coast.
The area is a designated geological and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest run by the National Trust. It consists of a variety of interesting flora including ancient woodland, calcareous grassland and the pretty Cheddar Pink flower.
You can start the walk from the village of Compton Bishop which is only about a mile from Crook Peak. After visiting the peak you head east across Wavering Down passing Compton Hill on the way. At King's Wood you turn south and descend to the village of Cross on some nice woodland trails. At Cross, you turn west and follow footpaths back to Compton Bishop.
You can also start the walk from the car park at King's Wood. It's located off Winscombe Hill Road at the eastern side of Wavering Down.
The eastern end of the walk also comes close to Axbridge where you can visit Cheddar Reservoir and the spectacular Cheddar Gorge. These are both good options if you wish to extend your walk. Also nearby is the climb to Brent Knoll.
The prominent hill is located near the coast at Burnham-on-Sea and can be seen from the Crook Peak summit.
Postcode
BS26 2HF - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsCrook Peak Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Crook Peak Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Crook Peak OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Crook Peak Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
After your exercise head to the White Hart in Cheddar for some well earned refreshments (Postcode:BS27 3QN). Here you can enjoy a ploughman's lunch and a decent pint of Cheddar Ale in the nice beer garden.
There's also the popular Lion Rock Tea Rooms. Nestled in the heart of Cheddar Gorge in one of the oldest, most photographed and documented buildings beneath the World Famous Lion Rock. You can find it on the Cliffs Road at postcode BS27 3QE.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Axbridge Walk visits the peak from the nearby town. The historic settlement is well worth a visit with its medieval town square, half timbered buildings, early 1600s pub and the Tudor King John's Hunting Lodge which houses a fine local museum.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
On Crook Peak. These little escarpments of carboniferous limestone create the crag at the top of Crook Peak. To the left in the background, Compton Hill and Wavering Down carry the line of the Mendips eastwards.
The summit of Crook Peak looking northeast towards Compton Hill
Summit of Crook Peak A tilting series of miniature limestone escarpments forms the distinctive crag at the top of the hill, which dominates the stretch of the M5 seen below.
Outcrops of carboniferous limestone with uniform dip echo the shape of the summit, out of sight ahead.
On the east side of the hilltop. A ridge descends to the east-south-east
Gate onto Crook Peak Opposite the car park on Webbington Road. The gate gives onto a steep climb up the side of the Mendips.
Compton Bishop and Wavering Down. A view of the northern most houses of Compton Bishop and the southern slope of the Mendip hills (the closest area being Wavering Down). In the distance Axbridge reservoir can just be made out (a blue line top right of the photograph).
