What you can expect
Spectacular scenery
Experience the spectacular Cheddar Gorge scenery
Brean Down Peninsular
Spectacular Brean Down Peninsular full of nature and history.
New Ocean Hotel - Weston-Super-Mare
Traditional sea front hotel
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About this trip...
About the trip
Discover the heights of the famous Cheddar Gorge and the beautiful North Somerset Coast . This walking break takes in the Gorges’ spectacular limestone cliffs, views over Glastonbury Tor, the Mendip Hills plus a delightful hike from the stunning Brean Down Peninsular back to Weston-Super-Mare along the popular Brean Down Way.Activity Level:
What's this?What's included?
Coach Transfers where applicable
Single room with private facilities
Half Board: Breakfast daily and 3 x Three course evening dinners
FREE bar 6pm – 10 pm each evening and lively entertainment-
Welcome drink & information meeting
1 x Full Day guided walking tour Brean Down to Weston-Super-Mare-
1 x Full Day guided Walking Tour Cheddar Gorge & Village
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully Financially Protected
What's extra:
- Insurance click here
- Upgrade to Double/Twin Room for Sole Use £148 per stay
Itinerary
- Arrive & Check In
- Cheddar Gorge & Cheddar Village
- Brean Down to Weston Super-Mare
- Departure Day
What you’ll be doing
Day One: Arrive & Check In
Check-in to hotel, meet our tour leader, fellow Solos guests for the welcome drink and enjoy our first evening meal.
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Cheddar Gorge & Cheddar Village
After breakfast we take our bus to Cheddar where we commence the main Gorge walk and experience the Cheddar Gorge in all its spectacular glory. Our route of varied terrain takes us up over 100m to the top of the gorge where we walk along open and grassy paths with stunning views over the gorge with its crags and rocks formed millions of years ago. From here we will also be treated to fabulous views over Glastonbury Tor and the Mendip Hills enjoying the natural habitat, home to goats, soay sheep, and falcons. We then descend to Cheddar village for a well- earned rest and refreshment (at own cost).
After lunch we continue with our Blue Badge guide for a two hour circular walk of the beautiful historic village, of Cheddar; internationally famous for its cheese making.
We take in the Medieval Church of St Andrew and the Market Cross along with the site of the Anglo Saxon palace. While we walk around this lovely village, our informative guide will tell us the history of Cheddar and the discovery of the caves and its development into one of the UK’s top tourist destinations.
- Total walking time 5 hours
- Distance 5.5 miles approx
- Ascent – 125m
- Cheddar Village – Easy
- Cheddar Gorge Route – Medium some steep areas.
- Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day Three: Brean Down to Weston-Super-Mare
After breakfast we take our bus to Brean and start the days walk from Brean village Hall. Our route takes us along the beach towards Brean Down. Interestingly, Brean Down is the home to rare plants plus feral goats living on the rock faces on the side of the down. We climb the 200 steps up to the National Trust Brean Peninsular where we explore this spectacular natural pier that stretches out into the Bristol Channel. Our route over the Down provides amazing views along the way over the Channel to South Wales and Steep Holm Island. We will see and learn about the history of Brean Fort built in 1870 to protect against French invasion plus we pass a site of a small Roman temple.
We descend down from this beautiful peninsular where we will then stop for lunch at one of the local cafes along the route where sandwiches and light snacks are available.
After lunch we take the popular Brean Down Way which opened in 2017, joining Weston-Super-Mare to Brean Sands. The path gives access to walkers and cyclists over the River Axe which was impassable for many years as the sluice gates were closed to the public We then pass through the Bleaden Level nature reserve that has now been screened so that pedestrians and cyclist can pass safely over the river without disturbing the many species of birds that visit the area, including Redshanks making this a lovely walk.
Our route takes us to the outskirts of Uphill, along the path heading to Weston-Super-Mare towards the Gran Pier and Tropicana, Wintergardens then along the beach front promenade and onwards towards our hotel where we finish our days walk. Walking Distance 13 miles approx Walking Time 6-7 hours approx Ascent +97m approx Easy to Medium (Mostly easy on flat paths, some beach walking and grass land. Brean Down moderate difficulty 200 steps up from the beach on to the down and then slopes
- Breakfast & Dinner included
Day Four: Departure Day
After a leisurely breakfast, its time to check out and perhaps have a final meander around Weston-Super-Mare before heading home
- Breakfast
Accommodation
The New Ocean Hotel 2*
This lovely, simple and traditional family-run hotel, fast becoming a Solos favourite, is perfectly situated opposite Weston’s famous Marine Lake and offers panoramic views over Weston Bay and beyond making this a perfect base for our North Somerset walking break . It’s unrivalled position along the promenade is only a few minutes stroll to the town centre and a short taxi ride away form Weston Super-Mare railway station.
Facilities include
Enjoy the many facilities on offer including a large dance floor and a nightly entertainment programme in the bar/lounge area with a fully stocked bar. Wifi is available in the bar/lounge area and is provided free of charge
Room includes
All single rooms are equipped with full en-suite facilities, direct dial telephones, flat screen digital television, hairdryer, many rooms have level access from the lift.
Room upgrades available
Larger Superior Single – from £35 per stay
Dates & Prices
Frequently asked questions
Location
Weston Super-Mare ( North Somerset) is located off Junction 21 of the M5. Take the A370 into Weston Super-Mare
Our hotel is situated opposite Weston’s famous Marine Lake, a few minutes stroll to the town centre where we can enjoy the numerous shops, theatres and attractions. Weston–Super–Mare Railway Station is approximately a 10 minute taxi journey away. There are 5 car parking spaces and these are allocated on a first come first served basis. There is also additional parking on the road and a long stay car park situated 250m away -Melrose car park, Weston-super-mare BS23 2AW. Over four hours up to 24 hours - £14.00
Check in from 2.00pm Check out by 10.00am
Walking programme
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. This trip is classed as Easy to Medium however parts of the Cheddar Gorge itinerary is classed as Medium with steep inclines and Brean Down itself is Medium and includes steep steps . If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking. You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it.
Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence.
The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
What to Wear
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort.
Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides and hotel staff (including restaurant, kitchen and reception staff) of approximately £5.
Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of bar staff and housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (the rounding up of the drinks bill and a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions.
For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, restaurants expect a 10% gratuity (do check that service has not already been added to your bill). For taxis 10% of the metered fare.
FREE bar 6pm – 10 pm each evening
Below is a list of the current drinks currently included in the hotel promotion (subject to change) Carlsberg (Draft) ,Boddingtons (Draft), Thatchers Gold Cider (Draft), Murphys Irish Stout (Draft) Bass (Draft), Medium White Wine (Pump), Red Wine (Pump), Cola (Pump), Diet Cola (Pump), Tonic Water (Pump), Lemonade (pump), Orange Juice (Pump), Lime Cordial (Pump), Slimline Tonic (Bottle), Canada Dry (Bottle), Bitter Lemon (Bottle), Grapefruit Juice (Bottle), Pineapple Juice (Bottle), Tomato Juice (Bottle), Vodka, Whiskey, Gin, Brandy, White Rum, Dark Rum, Sherry, Sweet Martini, Dry Martini, Cinzano, Port. Other Drinks are available, but these must be purchased as usual.
Whilst the hotel endeavours to ensure that all drinks are available, occasionally the hotel may run out of stock and therefore be unable to replace that item. The free bar is offered from 6pm-10pm each night, the only restriction are as follows; The hotel requests that guests order and drink one drink at a time
Drinks over dinner will be available from the bar. (no table service available) Empty glasses should be returned to the bar and exchanged for a new drink No double spirit measures No neat spirits
Guest will be issued a voucher that must be shown to the bar staff
