Rock of Ages

Standing at the highest point of Burrington Combe, this imposing limestone outcrop earned its biblical name from the hymn supposedly written here by Reverend Augustus Toplady in 1775. The story goes he sheltered in the rock's cleft during a thunderstorm and penned the famous words while lightning crashed around him.

Climbers will find decent routes on the southern face, though it's hardly a day out for beginners. Most visitors come for the view across the Somerset Levels and the photo opportunity with the commemorative plaque. The walking is straightforward - park at the bottom of the combe and it's a gentle twenty-minute stroll up the limestone path.

Families with young children might find it a bit underwhelming once you've read the plaque and taken the obligatory snap. The real draw is combining it with the broader exploration of Burrington Combe, where you can spot rare whitebeam trees and peregrine falcons if you're lucky.

From Winscombe it's a short drive into proper Mendip country, making it an easy add-on if you're staying at Cheddar Woods Resort or any of the campsites around Cheddar. The spot works well as part of a longer walk along the West Mendip Way, though don't expect dramatic mountain vistas - this is gentle Somerset hill country at its most pleasant.