The Cart Wash

Ancient stone slabs form steps down a hillside here, worn smooth by centuries of cart wheels hauling limestone from nearby quarries. The Cart Wash gets its name from the spring that once provided water for cleaning the heavy wagons before they trundled on towards Bristol and Bath.

Today it's a proper walker's landmark rather than a destination in itself. The stone steps make for a decent photo opportunity, and you can still see where the old track carved its way through the Mendip landscape. History buffs will appreciate the industrial heritage angle - this was part of Somerset's busy quarrying network that shaped the region for generations.

It's free to visit, naturally, though there's precious little signage to explain what you're looking at. Allow twenty minutes max unless you're planning a longer ramble across the hills. The steps can be slippery when wet, so mind your footing.

Families staying at nearby sites like Mendip Basecamp or The Batch Campsite could easily work this into a Mendip Hills walk. It's barely two miles from Winscombe, making it a gentle objective for an afternoon stroll. Not exactly thrilling for restless teenagers, but younger kids might enjoy clambering about on the old stones. Works well as part of a longer exploration of the area's quarrying heritage before heading back to your base.