Overall, I recommend using Axbwel two because it is a better walk overall but just to note that this route is walkable all the way and is exactly the same for much of the walk....

Mockymock

I think this would actually be quite challenging for some in good summery conditions, so I wonder if it is worth uploading an alternative (no doubt slightly longer) route for winter / poor conditions....

panifex

It is, overall, a wonderful walk, easy to navigate and through interesting countryside with wide expansive views. 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. 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....

panifex

An absolutely gorgeous walk on a summer's day, with a mix of woods (the NT area at Tor Hill Woods is special) as well as the grassy ridges of the East Mendip Way. I did not complete the way to Shepton Mallett as I turned off at Crapnell Farm to reach Oakhill and its wonderful inn, so I cannot comment on the eastern section. Still a great walk....

Andrew Davies

An option for leaving Glastonbury is just to follow the Wells Road - the marked Slow Way takes you up a steep hill and straight back down the other side on a (minor) road which has no pavement for part of it....

Andrew Davies

We've heard that there is no safe path currently through 9 acre woods due to logging work. We're not sure when it may reopen so please do check before you walk....

Slow Ways Cristie

Walkers need to turn right when getting to Thrupe Lane ( ST 59810 45050 ) to get back to the fp, it is not straight over as on OS map [ This is not an issue coming from Wells ] You also need to keep your wits about you, as you approach Torhill Quarry ( ST 56195 45512 )....

Brian

In addition, if you *do* climb the gate you are in to a world of smelly deep (really, really deep) mud in a small field dense with cows & bulls....

panifex

Beware that the path disappears about 2/3 on the way from Wells, as you descend into Ham Woods....

[email protected]

The route largely follows the West Mendip Way which is signposted well, lots of old school stone stiles and a steep but staircased section up the Ebor Gorge....

Steve_Roser

I love walking in this area, and much of this Slow Way is a classic limestone Mendip hill walk with a big climb and descent of the southern scarp and some fabulous views....

Mockymock

It's not a walking route but follows the main road (A39) between Wells and Glastonbury. There is no pavement or footway on much of it and I would say it is dangerous to walk in those places, especially where traffic is fast....

HopSkipJump

It's mostly along quiet paths and roads, with lovely scenery, including the iconic Glastonbury Tor. I found the route easy to follow. The only bit of minor confusion for me was when a footpath crossed a wheat field and I initially had trouble seeing where I should wade through the well established grain!...

Tracy K

The route out from the main road goes up an alley between two houses via some rocky steps, then winds along Street End Lane lane on the outskirts of the village before diving right up another pathway just as it seems you are heading up the driveway of a house. It is steep climb from here through the fields to meet the Two Trees road which leads to the B3134. Once the route crosses the (intermittent but fast) B3135, it dips into the fields in a lovely shallow valley, using ladder stiles to climb the walls between them, and meets the very quiet Coxton End Lane which soon joins the West Mendip Way to Priddy. Between Wookey Hole and Wells there is a gentle climb through fields and a lane before following an alley into the edge of town, then crossing some school grounds and taking a footbridge over the main road into the centre....

Mockymock

This is essentially the same good route as Blawel One (see this route for my review of the rest of the route) but it uses open access land and a new, permissive off-road footpath/bridleway through the central section between Velvet Bottom and the B3135 at Plummers Lane. At the B3135, the route rejoins Blawel One, having run immediately parallel to it on the other side of the field boundary for most of the last mile....

Mockymock

Not quite five stars from me because most of it is on road and about half a mile of it is on a cycle path by a main road, but the roads are very quiet and it is a good route I'd definitely use again. Fuller review to come.......

Mockymock

Whichever way you walk it, and you should, as you close in you get one of two great iconic English views....

Steve_Roser

This first half of the walk is very tranquil and the surrounding views are lovely, as this part of the Levels is contained between the Mendip Scarp to the north and a low ridge to the south, with occasional interestingly-shaped hillocks, outliers of the Mendips themselves, rising out of the flat landscape, including that of Glastonbury Tor ahead to the east. After another mile across fields and up a quiet lane into to the next village, Easton, the Slow Way crosses the main road and leaves the levels behind altogether, heading uphill to Wookey Hole (of caves fame). This part of the walk is all on a narrow road with high hedges, but it is a quiet lane with little traffic and there are views back over the levels through the gateways (or ahead of you if you are walking the route the other way)....

Mockymock

While it's great, there was one spot that wasn't navigable when I walked in May, and I had trouble with a field of cows that was easily avoided around Cheddar. I've uploaded an updated version that fixes these and several other minor issues!...

mtormey

First, I walked from Axbridge to Cheddar, then I took the bus to Wells. The next day, I walked Wells to Cheddar. From Cheddar, if you're feeling up to it, the iconic Cheddar Gorge is perfect for exploring! The route between Cheddar and Wells is awesome....

mtormey

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. 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....

Mockymock

The path is a little rocky and slippy at times, but is easy to follow, especially on the East Mendip Way....

Steve_Roser

We walked east to west, starting from Shepton Mallet and ending up following the moat around the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, by which time the route had well earned the five stars suggested by the previous reviewer. It starts with a walk out through quiet roads and lanes, and heads up through cattle pastures, interrupted at one point by a little gully at Ham Woods, to meet up with the East Mendip Way on top of the first rise of the Mendip Hills....

Mockymock

It is not suitable for cycling unless one can carry a byke over some rough fields and substantial stiles. Some of the blue signs are missing when nearer Shepton and the path can be a bit difficult to follow around an old quarry. But generally a most pleasant walk...

Ben Davies

There are beautiful alternatives through North Wootton or Launcherly....

Thornbush