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Burrington Combe

1.86 miles (3 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Explore this fascinating carboniferous limestone gorge on this circular walk in the Mendip Hills AONB. The site is geologically significant with numerous caves, cliffs and interesting rock formations. There is also an Iron Age univallate hill fort known as Burrington Camp and a variety of plants to look out for including Rock-rose, Wild Thyme and Wood Sage. Look out for mountain goats on the precarious cliff edges. The goats were introduced to the area to help reduce scrub and unwanted plants, so preserving the natural habitat.
You can start your walk at the car park next to the Rock of Ages on the eastern side of the Coombe. You then climb east across the site reaching a height of nearly 700ft. From the high points there are magnificent views over the Mendips.
The area is also popular with mountain bikers with some good trails up to Beacon Batch.
To extend your walk you can head west to Mendip Lodge Wood and Dolebury Warren on the Limestone Link. It's a lovely area with an Iron Age hill fort, wildflowers, butterflies and splendid views across North Somerset and the Mendips.
Just to the south west you will find miles of woodland trails in Rowberrow Warren Wood. This is another good place for mountain bikers. The West Mendip Way also runs through the southern section of the wood so you can pick this up and head to Shipham.
You could also visit the nearby Blagdon Lake where there is a nice waterside footpath at the northern end of the water. The climb to Beacon Batch on Black Down hill starts from the car park. The hill is the highest point in the Mendips and provides great views over the lake.

Postcode

BS40 7AU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Burrington Combe OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Burrington Combe Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Just to the east of Burrington you'll find the little village of Blagdon where there are a few good options for post walk refreshments. The New Inn (Postcode BS40 7SB) is a classic rural inn overlooking a fishing lake, serving real ales and pub grub with leafy beer garden. It's a nice place to relax outside on warmer days. The Queen Anne and Seymour Arms are also great options.

Dog Walking

The coombe is a nice place for a dog walk as is the surrounding woodland at Mendip Lodge Wood and Rowberrow Warren. The New Inn pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Photos

Top of Burrington Combe - geograph.org.uk - 74494

Top of Burrington Combe

Rock of ages

Rock of ages

Mendiphillsaonb3

Mendip Hills AONB sign at Burrington Combe

Burrington Combe - geograph.org.uk - 1250525

The view from the top of the combe. The Rock of Ages is on the far left

Burrington Combe - geograph.org.uk - 7895

The cliffs of Burrington Combe from the lower slopes of Black Down

Burrington combe cave - geograph.org.uk - 1250516

Cave Mouth of small cave,a short distance from the famous Rock of Ages.

Mountain goats, Burrington Coombe - geograph.org.uk - 1671575

Mountain goats, Burrington Coombe

Rock face, Burrington Coombe - geograph.org.uk - 1671535

Steep rock face

GPS Files

GPX File

Burrington Combe.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Burrington Combe.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)