East Mendip Area Info


Larkshall is situated on east Mendip, between Oakhill & Stoke St Michael close to Fairy Cave Quarry. The area has much speleological and other interest but is less visited than central or western Mendip. For those a little more adventurous the following information may be helpful.
 

CAVES

Major caves in the area include Stoke Lane Slocker & Thrupe Lane which offer excellent trips for the experienced caver. Smaller, but a challenging prospect, is St Dunstans Well Cave. For beginners the entrance series of Brownes' Hole is excellent. Perhaps the most important caves in the area are the caves of Fairy Cave Quarry, with which the club had a major involvement for many years. There are also many minor caves in the area, perhaps Great Elm Cave or Stock' s Hole could be worth a visit. If you fancy a bit of ladder work or even SRT practice, try Hunting Lodge Slocker which was a major club dig for some years. If you're a record collector you could even visit Vallis Vale Quarry Cave, the most easterly Mendip cave. There is plenty to do. Although a little out of date the clubs Occasional Bulletin 'CAVES AND AREAS FOR SPELEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE EASTERN MENDIPS' lists many sites. If that's not enough for you Central Mendip is only a ten minute drive away.

If you have a genuine interest in caving we may be able to help and you are invited to contact our Training Officer. If you only want a 'one-off' experience there are a number of commercial suppliers in the area and the show caves at Cheddar and Wookey Hole also offer some caving activities on a commercial basis.

Access information for caves on Mendip is available on the Council of Southern Caving Clubs web site.
 

CLIMBING

Most of the climbing in the area is only a short drive away - Cheddar Gorge, Avon Gorge, Goblin Combe etc are all covered in the Avon & Cheddar climbing guide book. There are no major climbing sites on East Mendip although there are a few minor crags in the immediate area, which can give hours of fun and some serious climbing with possibilities of first accents.

Fairy Cave Quarry. There is no access to the quarry for climbing. Security fencing has recently been erected around the site. It is understood that the BMC are trying to arrange access. (Info current as of September 2009)

Ashwick Grove has a few small cliffs with some short but interesting routes.

Wadbury Valley - ST746490 and ST734489, where bouldering is possible with some quite strenuous moves on the second.

Holcombe - A small disused quarry ST682479, named "curious holes" giving various entertaining 20ft climbs, an ideal top rope location.

Bector Wood / Cooks Wood Quarries.  In recent years a number of routes have been climbed in these abandoned quarries and a privately published guide is available.

The new Cheddar and Avon Climbers Club guide was published in 2004 and includes these are other sites in the area.  An essential reference.
 

WALKING

There are plenty of enjoyable walks on East Mendip, too many to mention here. There are a number of walkers guides available a few of which are listed below.  Some suggested places include, Ashwick Grove, which is just across fields from Larkshall, and Mells to Great Elm via the river, taking in ruins of Fussells Iron Works, and on to Vallis Vale up the Edford Brook.
 

DIVING at Vobster Quay

Not normally known for diving activities surprisingly Vobster Quay is an excellent inland diving centre based at the site of an old quarry.  Whether you're a certified diver wanting to experience the thrills and excitement of fresh water inland diving or you're completely new to the sport of subaqua diving, Vobster Quay has something to offer. Check out their website for more information.

Vobster is only a few miles from Larkshall.
 

PAINTBALL

If you want a change you could try paintballing.  Hamburger Hill is a good place to go and is only 10 miles from Larkshall.  They also offer Quad Biking.
 

DRINKING AND EATING

Although there are no 'cavers' pubs on east Mendip there are some good drinking and eating places.

There are three pubs within a mile of the Larkshall. The Oakhill Inn is the most accessible located on the crossroads in Oakhill. This is the usual club haunt and has its moments! They have an excellent selection of beers and a good menu, but is expensive for food. The Wagon and Horses at the top of the hill behind Larkshall has a reasonably priced menu. Finally the Knatchbull Inn to the east in the centre of Stoke St. Michael is mainly used by locals and is not recommended. 

Pubs worth a visit but a bit too far for walking back include:

Poachers Pocket 2.5 miles (Chelynch), primarily an eating place with reasonable priced meals. Duke of Cumberland at Holcombe varies with an average price menu, although their pizzas are good.  Holcombe Inn, 3 miles (Holcombe), open all day but food is very expensive.  Horse and Jockey 3 miles (Binegar). Talbot 6 miles (Mells) old pub with good food and beer. 

Further afield is the traditional cavers pub, the Hunters Lodge, on the way to Priddy, and the Queen Vic in Priddy itself.
 

LOCAL AMENITIES

Emergencies: The nearest Hospital with an A&E Dept is Shepton Mallet. It is well signposted but has limited opening hours. There are hospitals  with 24 hour A&E at Weston super Mare and at Bath. There is a phone at Larkshall (01749 841072). Mobile phone signals vary depending on service provider.

Shops: There is a general store/paper shop in both Gurney Slade (on the A37) & Stoke St Michael, both of which are open Sunday mornings.  There are major supermarkets in Shepton Mallet, Wells and Midsomer Norton.

Cafes: There are various local cafes ion Shepton Mallet and Wells. There is a Little Chef at Nunney Catch on the A361 on route to Frome.

Takeaways: There are Chinese Takeaways / Chip Shops in Coleford, Radstock, Shepton Mallet and Wells, all of which close soon after normal pub closing times. There are now Kebab shops in Shepton and Wells but if a Big Mac is your desire you will have to go to Bath!

Petrol: Garages in Shepton Mallet and Wells open until late evening.  There is a petrol station at Tesco in Shepton Mallet which has card facilities.
 

USEFUL PUBLICATIONS (inc. walking and other guide books)

Page last updated 190909


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