The group met up in the large lower car park at Burrington Combe, shortly before 11.00am and after a short but steep climb, followed a much more gently undulating wooded track past the remaining ruins of Mendip Lodge, which was built for and owned by the Rev Thomas Sedgwick Whalley  (1746- 1828).    Among other things he was a  cleric, poet and traveller who lived in Bath but also used to live in Mendip Lodge during the  summer months and was associated with William Wilberforce, Charles Darwin,  Hannah More and, when he went to stay in France, Marie Antoinette. It would appear that he enjoyed a colourful social life!

After a mile or so, we descended to the edge of Dolebury Warren, where we began a steep climb up to the Iron Age fort, which became known for the breeding of rabbits  for their meat and fur between the time of the Romans and the  Middle Ages.  We stopped here for lunch to rest and admire the views along the Bristol Channel and the surrounding hills.

After lunch we followed largely level paths beneath the main peaks of the Mendips and then took steeper paths to ascend Black Down and the highest point on the Mendips, Beacon Batch at 325 metres. The views from here were extensive.  After a brief stop, we descended towards the car park at the top of the combe where we had the pleasure of meeting with two of our members who were not able to join us for the full walk and the opportunity of enjoying a well deserved ice cream.  The descent was via a path through the woods to a quiet minor road, which went directly to the car park within a few hundred yards and the walk ended shortly after 4.00pm.

We would like to thank everyone who came along and we hope you enjoyed the walk.