Ebbor Gorge

The magical world of Ebbor Gorge is tucked away in the Mendips, cut into the hills above Wookey Hole. From the car park  you make your way along a rugged path which disappears down the steep wooded gorge side and into a different world; outside the Mendip Hills are mostly bare exposed rough grassland, but down here in the gorge you find yourself deep in a wooded embrace. The woodland floor's a mosaic of colour created by a carpet of Spring plants: bluebells bow their heads as you pass, spikes of orchids stand tall and proud, ferns unroll their heads like waking hydras and ramsons shine like white stars amongst the depths of green lushness; wood anemone, celandines, violets, primroses and many more are all represented. It's easy to become distracted; care should be taken though whilst walking, the path down is very steep, steppy and can be slippery when wet. High above you, rock faces protrude from the gorge sides and out beyond the canopy; in places the paths too are flanked by similar near sheer rock faces or steep scree slopes; the path begins to wind upwards, rising up a long course of rocky steps as the sides of the gorge narrow to thin slot. Then you reach the lip of the gorge and you're out, from here it's only a short walk up and out of the woodland into the open grassland above. Arriving on the hilltop you're greeted with spectacular views out over the Somerset Levels and beyond to the Bristol Channel; from here you can see Avalon, its hill rising proud and majestic from the wetlands; capped by its iconic tower it's a magical sight. You now find yourself above the canopy, looking down into, and over, the densely wooded gorge; from up here the wooded sides create a mesmerizing patchwork of greens, a view which you can lose yourself in before you descend back into the colourful gorge again.

I must spend more time exploring Ebbor, my walk took in but a small part of it and I know there's more to discover.