Bradley Cross

Bradley Cross itself has no hotels, but its hilltop position above Cheddar makes it a good jumping-off point for choosing somewhere to stay in the wider area. Cheddar, a short drive downhill, has the best choice locally, with guest houses, small hotels and B&Bs within walking distance of the gorge and caves, many run by locals who know the area well. Nearby Axbridge, a handsome small town with a medieval square, has a few characterful inns, while Wells, around nine miles away, offers a wider range of hotels close to its cathedral and historic streets.

Further afield, Weston-super-Mare and Bristol both have a much larger selection of hotel chains and budget options, useful if visiting the Mendips as part of a longer South West trip or travelling by train, since neither Bradley Cross nor Cheddar has a railway station. Wherever you choose to stay, the Mendip Hills are compact enough that Cheddar Gorge, Wookey Hole and Wells are all within a short drive, so it is easy to base yourself slightly further out and still explore Bradley Cross and its surroundings comfortably by car.

Bradley Cross makes a quiet base for exploring some of Somerset's best-known natural attractions, all within a few minutes' drive.

• Cheddar Gorge and Caves — England's largest gorge, with dramatic limestone cliffs, show caves including Gough's Cave and Cox's Cave, and a clifftop gorge walk with sweeping views over the Levels.
• Mendip Hills AONB — the hamlet sits right on the edge of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with walking and cycling routes across open limestone grassland, dry valleys and ancient field systems.
• Cheddar Reservoir — a circular walking and cycling path around the reservoir at the foot of the hills, popular for birdwatching and gentle exercise.
• Wookey Hole Caves — a further show cave system a short drive away near Wells, with a paper mill and family attractions alongside the caves themselves.
• Wells — England's smallest city, with its medieval cathedral and moated Bishop's Palace, around nine miles from Bradley Cross.

Bradley Cross has no pub or shop of its own, but Cheddar itself, a short drive down the hill, has a reasonable spread of options including The Galleries Inn, the White Hart, and a couple of Indian and Thai restaurants such as Orchid Tandoori and The Thai Orchid. For something more rural, Mendip villages nearby have their own traditional pubs worth seeking out.

Bradley Cross sits right on the edge of the Mendip Hills, and the limestone plateau around it offers some appealing spots for a night under canvas, though it is worth remembering that wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal in England, including here, so pitching up on open Mendip grassland or in the gorge itself is not an option without asking first. Fortunately there are legitimate alternatives close by: working farms in and around Bradley Cross and Cheddar offer campsites and glamping pitches, often with views across the gorge or out towards the Somerset Levels, and a number of these have been carved out of old orchards, paddocks or farmyards rather than purpose-built holiday parks, giving them a more rustic, low-key feel.

The terrain here is a mix of exposed limestone plateau, dry valleys and steep wooded combes, so pitches tend to be more sheltered in the valleys below the hamlet and more open and breezy on the higher ground, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing a site, particularly for tents rather than campervans or motorhomes. Late spring through to early autumn is generally the best window to camp here, when the Mendip grassland is at its best, days are long enough for a proper walk along the gorge or over the hills, and the ground has had a chance to dry out after winter; the exposed hilltop position means conditions can turn quickly and are best avoided in poor weather, particularly for tent camping rather than a static caravan or glamping pod.

For those who would rather not pitch a tent, glamping options in the area range from simple bell tents and shepherd's huts to more comfortable pods with proper beds and heating, giving a taste of the outdoors without needing much kit. Whichever way you choose to stay, Bradley Cross's position above Cheddar means you are never far from the gorge, the caves or a decent country pub at the end of the day, and the quiet lanes around the hamlet make for good early-morning or evening walks straight from your pitch.