Rowberrow Warren

The limestone plateau of Rowberrow Warren rises abruptly from the Somerset levels near Winscombe, commanding views that stretch for miles across Mendip farming country. It's a proper geological oddity - chalk grassland on top where you'd expect moorland, with steep escarpments that locals have been quarrying for centuries. Walk the perimeter and you'll spot old workings scarred into the hillside, evidence of lime extraction that shaped the landscape as much as nature did.

This is walker territory, no question. The paths are well-maintained and the summit itself takes maybe twenty minutes from the nearest car park, though you'll want longer to properly explore the warren and enjoy the vistas. It's free to wander, which helps when you're camped at The Batch Campsite just down the road - ideal for families wanting something between the glamping at Cheddar Woods Resort and serious Mendip hiking. Children who enjoy clambering over rocks and spotting rabbits will get plenty from it; those hoping for visitor facilities or displays will be disappointed.

Timing-wise, go early on weekends or you'll share the summit with half of Somerset. The grass can be slippery after rain, and there's no shade whatsoever, so decent boots and a hat matter. Spring brings wildflowers, which changes the whole feel of the place - less austere, more inviting. It's less dramatic than Cheddar Gorge itself, but that's precisely why it's worth the detour. You get the geology without the crowds or the admission fees.