Welbis two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Welbis here.

I walked in the direction Bishop Sutton to Wells, and agree with pretty much everything the previous review said. It is, overall, a wonderful walk, easy to navigate and through interesting countryside with wide expansive views.

It is not without it's problems however, not least the section along the B3135. I found this quite scary, and certainly would not recommend it under any normal circumstances. The verges are narrow and slippery, and cars drive VERY fast. As pointed out in the previous review, the sightlines are good - so careful slow patient progress is required. I would not want to walk this section in poor weather or visibility. This section is part of the Monarch's Way, so that tells you how difficult it would be to avoid.

The other problems are minor and to be expected! It was very muddy in places, including in Stockhill woods. This will only get worse through the winter, so be prepared. Also, several of the paths were quite overgrown - I would not recommend wearing shorts, unless you are prepared to be scratched and stung! I speak from experience.

I also encountered a blocked footpath on the approach to East Harptree (ST 57404 56822) - it was not possible to go straight through a field of sweetcorn. Instead I turned left along the Limestone Link and followed the road instead. As it happened, this also avoided a couple of fields of cows.

There are not many places suitable for taking a break along this walk - I didn't notice a single bench - apart from in the villages of East Harptree and Wookey Hole. And therein lies my biggest question about this walk - it is ~11km between East Harptree and Wookey so this route does not meet this aspect of the Slow Ways methodology. Welbis one is no better in this respect. Perhaps a longer, but more compliant route could be found via Priddy?

Overall, then, a great route with a few issues - but not serious enough to prevent verification.

I walked this from Bishop Sutton to Wells. It’s a full-on hilly hike through varied country with some fabulous views along the way. I had a very happy day. The only reason I don't give it the full five stars is that there is an unavoidable section of a few hundred metres B-road in the middle of it with only a narrow verge. Even the waymarked Monarch's Way has to use this to cross this part of the Mendip Hills, so it is currently a necessary evil. I recommend carrying something hi-viz.

It starts with a couple of miles up and over Burledge Hill via a scrubby nature reserve and a stony track down to the valley south of Chew Valley Lake. From here it is an easy, pretty walk through flat meadows to East Harptree (which has a community shop and a pub). At this time of year (mid May) there were several uncut meadows with long grass - a boot and leg-soaker on a morning after some overnight rain.

Approaching the village, the route begins its steady two-plus mile climb up the northern slope of the Mendip Hills through pastures, tracks and quiet lanes. Near the top, along a shady bridleway, the route joins the well-signed Monarch’s Way, which leads across the Mendip plateau, often through the big, square and sometimes stone-walled fields typical of the area, and elsewhere meanders along forestry tracks and through the interesting hummocky territory of the old lead mineries near Priddy.

As I mention above, the only bit of this route I didn't enjoy is several hundred yards of not always generous verge along a lively B-road in the middle of this area. However, I found it safe enough when walked with due care, and the sightlines are good. And note that south of this section, the ongoing path through the woods doesn't take the route marked on the OS map. The GPX follows the currently-used track which is signed with little markers nailed to the trees.

At the southern end of the plateau a stupendous view opens up suddenly in front of you and there is a steep, straight descent down wildflower-studded grasslands from the top of the Mendip scarp to the touristy village of Wookey Hole (of caves fame). Here the Slow Way takes the southerly route through the village to allow access to pubs and eateries but you could equally well carry on on the Monarch’s Way to the north if you want to avoid it at busy times. All the waymarked paths end up taking the same route into the historic and similarly popular cathedral town of Wells, using a narrowish paved twitten through the outskirts of town and a public footpath through the grounds of a secondary school.

Navigation is pretty straightforward and access includes many and varied gates and stiles. I also opted to climb over a couple of the more recalcitrant farm gates rather than wrestle them open. The ground is generally good underfoot with the usual short muddy sections and poached gateways.

Bus links in and out of Wells are as very good. Can’t say the same for Bishop Sutton where the options are slow, much more limited, and entirely absent on a Sunday.

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