# North Hill Staycation Guide — Where to Stay & What to Do > Explore North Hill and the Mendip Hills near Wells, Somerset, with Cheddar Gorge, Wookey Hole and Wells Cathedral all close by. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. Quiet Mendip heights above Wells Photo © Gabrielle Peckham, Google Maps [Guide](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset) [🏨 Hotels](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/hotels) [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/cottages) [⛺ Camping](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/camping) [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions) [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants) North Hill sits on the southern fringe of the Mendip Hills, the band of limestone high ground that runs across north Somerset between the Bristol Channel and the Somerset Levels. This part of the Mendips rises gently above the cathedral city of Wells, giving views south across the Levels towards Glastonbury Tor on a clear day, and the ground beneath is riddled with the same cave systems and gorges that make the wider plateau famous. It is a landscape of dry stone walls, sheep pasture, beech hangers and the odd disused quarry, more workaday than picture-postcard, but with genuine wild country only a short drive away. Because North Hill is a small, quiet corner rather than a destination in its own right, most visitors use it as a peaceful base for exploring the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that surrounds it. Wells, England's smallest city, is close by with its medieval cathedral and Bishop's Palace, while Cheddar Gorge, Wookey Hole and the nature reserves of Ebbor Gorge and Priddy are all within a short drive. Expect narrow lanes, limited street lighting after dark, and the kind of rural hush that makes this stretch of Somerset popular with walkers and cavers rather than crowds. ## Getting to North Hill The Mendip Hills around North Hill are best reached by car. The A39 and A371 connect Wells with Cheddar, Glastonbury and the wider Somerset road network, and the M5 motorway (via Bristol or Taunton) is within reasonable reach for longer journeys. The nearest mainline railway stations are at Castle Cary, Bridgwater and Bristol Temple Meads, none of which are on North Hill's doorstep, so a car is the practical way to explore this part of the Mendips. Roads on the hill itself are typically narrow, so allow extra time and take care on bends and passing places. ## Best time to visit North Hill Spring and early summer bring wildflowers to the limestone grassland and lighter evenings for walking the Mendip ridgeline. Summer is the busiest period for the show caves and Cheddar Gorge, so early starts help avoid queues. Autumn brings good colour in the beech woods around Ebbor Gorge and Priddy, while winter is quieter still, best suited to shorter daytime walks and the region's cosy pubs; some minor lanes can be exposed in bad weather, so it is worth checking conditions before setting out. ## Where to stay in North Hill [All hotels in North Hill →](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/hotels) About staying in North Hill North Hill is not a hotel hub in itself, but its position on the Mendip Hills just outside Wells makes it a useful base for those who prefer a quieter stay within reach of England's smallest city. Wells itself has a small range of characterful options, from traditional coaching inns near the cathedral to independent bed and breakfasts on its quieter streets, while the villages scattered across the Mendip plateau, including Priddy and those around Cheddar, add country pubs with rooms and small guesthouses to the mix. Because this stretch of the Mendips is rural, accommodation tends to be small-scale rather than big chain hotels, and booking ahead is worth doing in summer when Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole draw day-trippers into the area. Staying up on the hill rather than down in the Levels also means cooler nights and better stargazing, since the Mendip Hills AONB has some of the darkest skies in the South West. For those wanting cathedral views on their doorstep, Wells is the obvious choice; for a more remote feel, the villages further along the ridge towards Priddy offer a genuine sense of Mendip countryside. [Copper Meadow Copper Meadow, Trevadlock, Launceston Cornwalll, Launceston](https://staycation.co.uk/launceston/hotels/copper-meadow) [Trelaske Manor B and B Lewannick, Launceston](https://staycation.co.uk/launceston/hotels/trelaske-manor-b-and-b) [Woodpeckers Bed & Breakfast Rilla Mill, Callington](https://staycation.co.uk/callington/hotels/woodpeckers-bed-breakfast) [Wheal Tor Caradon Hill, Liskeard](https://staycation.co.uk/liskeard/hotels/wheal-tor) [Trethorne Hotel & Golf Club Kennards House, Launceston](https://staycation.co.uk/launceston/hotels/trethorne-hotel-golf-club) [Travellers Rest Nathania Altarnun, Launceston](https://staycation.co.uk/launceston/hotels/travellers-rest) [Jamaica Inn Jamaica Inn, Launceston](https://staycation.co.uk/launceston/hotels/jamaica-inn) [Polhilsa Farm Polhilsa Farm, Callington](https://staycation.co.uk/callington/hotels/polhilsa-farm) ## Things to Do in North Hill [All attractions in North Hill →](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions) Top things to do near North Hill The surrounding Mendip Hills pack in a surprising amount for such a compact area, from show caves to one of the best gorges in the country. - **Wells Cathedral** — the centrepiece of England's smallest city, with its famous scissor arches and medieval West Front, is a short drive from North Hill. - **Cheddar Gorge** — Britain's largest gorge, with limestone cliffs up to 137 metres high, show caves including Gough's Cave, and a clifftop walking trail with sweeping views over the Levels. - **Wookey Hole Caves** — a show cave system carved by the River Axe on the edge of the Mendips, with chambers open to visitors year-round. - **Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve** — a steep, wooded limestone gorge managed by Natural England, with waymarked trails and viewpoints over the Somerset Levels. - **Priddy** — the highest village on the Mendips, known for its ancient Priddy Circles earthworks, its village green pound, and as a gateway to Mendip caving country. - **Glastonbury Tor** — the striking tower-topped hill visible from high points across the Mendips, a National Trust site and one of Somerset's most recognisable landmarks. [Siblyback Lake ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions/siblyback-lake) [Trethorne Leisure Park ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions/trethorne-leisure-park) [Hidden Valley Discovery Park ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions/hidden-valley-discovery-park) [Daphne du Mauriers Smugglers Museum ⭐ 4.2](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions/daphne-du-mauriers-smugglers-museum) [The Barn Indoor Climbing Wall ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions/the-barn-indoor-climbing-wall) [Carnglaze Caverns ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions/carnglaze-caverns) [Adrenalin Quarry ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions/adrenalin-quarry) [Hallagenna Farm park and horse riding ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions/hallagenna-farm-park-and-horse-riding) ## Where to Eat in North Hill [All restaurants in North Hill →](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants) Food and drink near North Hill Wells has a good spread of independent cafes, pubs and restaurants around its market place and cathedral green, while Mendip villages such as Priddy and Cheddar have traditional pubs serving local ales and hearty food after a day on the hills. Options directly on North Hill itself are limited, so most visitors head into Wells or the nearby villages for meals. [Coombeshead Farm Hotel Limited ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants/coombeshead-farm-hotel-limited) [Treguddick Distillery ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants/treguddick-distillery) [Paws And Purrs Cat Cafe At Moor View Alpacas ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants/paws-and-purrs-cat-cafe-at-moor-view-alpacas) [Trevallicks Farm Shop And Tea Room ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants/trevallicks-farm-shop-and-tea-room) [Trethorne Leisure Farm ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants/trethorne-leisure-farm) [West Kernick Tea Garden ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants/west-kernick-tea-garden) [🍽️Restaurant Homeleigh Garden Centre Restaurant - Robyns View](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants/homeleigh-garden-centre-restaurant-robyns-view) [Tre Pol And Pen ⭐ 4.2](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants/tre-pol-and-pen) ## Attractions Near North Hill [All attractions in North Hill →](https://staycation.co.uk/attractions) Worth the trip — within 50 miles of North Hill. [4 mi Siblyback Lake Liskeard · ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/liskeard/attractions/siblyback-lake) [4 mi Trethorne Leisure Park Launceston · ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/launceston/attractions/trethorne-leisure-park) [5 mi Hidden Valley Discovery Park Launceston · ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/launceston/attractions/hidden-valley-discovery-park) [5 mi Daphne du Mauriers Smugglers Museum Launceston · ⭐ 4.2](https://staycation.co.uk/launceston/attractions/daphne-du-mauriers-smugglers-museum) [8 mi The Barn Indoor Climbing Wall Tavistock · ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/tavistock/attractions/the-barn-indoor-climbing-wall) [8 mi Carnglaze Caverns Liskeard · ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/liskeard/attractions/carnglaze-caverns) [9 mi Adrenalin Quarry Liskeard · ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/liskeard/attractions/adrenalin-quarry) [10 mi Hallagenna Farm park and horse riding Bodmin · ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/bodmin/attractions/hallagenna-farm-park-and-horse-riding) ## Camping in North Hill [All campsites in North Hill →](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/camping) About camping in North Hill Wild camping is not legally permitted in England without the landowner's permission, and the same applies across the Mendip Hills around North Hill, so a proper campsite or a farmer's explicit agreement is the way to camp here responsibly. That said, this part of Somerset has a good number of small, independent campsites spread across the plateau towards Priddy, Cheddar and the villages around Wells, many of them working farms that have diversified into camping and glamping alongside their fields. The terrain on North Hill and the wider Mendips is typically firm, well-drained limestone grassland and pasture, crossed by dry stone walls and the occasional old quarry working, which makes it good walking country but also means pitches can be exposed to wind on higher ground. Bringing sturdy tent pegs and windbreaks is sensible if camping up on the ridge rather than down in a sheltered valley. Water can also be scarce on the porous limestone away from villages, so it is worth checking what a site provides before relying on natural sources. Late spring through early autumn is the most reliable camping season, when the ground is driest and evenings are light enough for walks along the ridge towards Ebbor Gorge or Priddy. Midsummer brings the best weather but also the busiest show caves and gorge car parks nearby, so early starts help. For those who want fewer guy ropes and more comfort, glamping options including bell tents, shepherd's huts and pods have grown steadily across the Mendips in recent years, offering a way to enjoy the hills' dark skies and quiet lanes without pitching a tent from scratch. [Cheesewring Farm Touring Caravan Site and Holiday Cottages ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/camping/cheesewring-farm-touring-caravan-site-and-holiday-cottages) [Fanolas Farm ⭐ 5.0 · from £276/night](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/camping/fanolas-farm) [Wheal Tor Glamping ⭐ 4.3 · from £95/night](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/camping/wheal-tor-glamping) [Siblyback Lake ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/camping/siblyback-lake) [Siblyback Lake Campsite ⭐ 4.4 · from £23/night](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/camping/siblyback-lake-campsite) [Stars and Moor ⭐ 5.0 · from £25/night](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/camping/stars-and-moor) [Traveller's Rest Certificated Site ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/camping/traveller-s-rest-certificated-site) [The Rising Sun ⭐ 4.7 · from £15/night](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/camping/the-rising-sun) ## Self-Catering Cottages in North Hill [All cottages in North Hill →](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/cottages) [Blackberry Cottage 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £507](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/cottages/blackberry-cottage-tob) [🏡Cottage Trezeal Barn 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £1,037](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/cottages/trezeal-barn-uk10877) [Henwood Holidays - Henwood Barn 3 bed · sleeps 5 · from £457](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/cottages/henwood-holidays-henwood-barn-uk52138) [🏡Cottage Henwood Holidays - Mole Cottage 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £463](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/cottages/henwood-holidays-mole-cottage-uk52139) [🏡Cottage Henwood Barn 3 bed · sleeps 5 · from £445](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/cottages/henwood-barn-syk1130234) [🏡Cottage Small Barn 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £403](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/cottages/small-barn-syk1130235) [🏡Cottage Mole Cottage 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £347](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/cottages/mole-cottage-syk1130237) [Henwood Holidays - Small Barn 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £457](https://staycation.co.uk/cornwall/cottages/henwood-holidays-small-barn-uk52140) ### 🏨 Find Hotels in North Hill Search hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com. [Search Accommodation →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DNorth%2BHill%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link ### Explore North Hill - [🏨 Hotels & B&Bs](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/hotels) - [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/cottages) - [⛺ Campsites & glamping](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/camping) - [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/attractions) - [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hill-somerset/restaurants) ## Staycation ideas for North Hill [All staycation ideas →](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas) [The Best Last-Minute UK Staycations Six well-connected UK towns and cities worth booking at short notice, chosen for easy travel and a decent spread of accommodation once the school-holiday crowds have thinned.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-last-minute-staycations) [Rainy Day Staycations: Best UK Breaks for Bad Weather When the forecast turns grim, these UK cities and spa towns keep their appeal indoors, with museums, galleries and grand architecture to fill a wet weekend.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/rainy-day-staycations-uk) [The Best Dog-Friendly Staycations in Britain From Cornish coast paths to Lake District fells, these six British destinations offer the open beaches, moors and forests that make a staycation genuinely enjoyable for dogs and their owners alike.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/dog-friendly-staycations) [The Best UK Staycations for Families with Young Kids From New Forest ponies to Cornish rock pools, these six UK destinations combine easy logistics, safe beaches and family-friendly attractions for a stress-free break with young children.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-staycations-for-families)