Explore Somerset by bike

Explore Somerset by bike and travel through cider orchards, nature reserves, glistening rivers and rolling green countryside. Start your journey just outside of the vibrant city of Bristol, by taking a short 15 minute train journey to reach charming Yatton station.

Yatton provides an ideal base for exploring Somerset’s beautiful countryside and it’s even better when you go by bike. However, you don’t have to bring your bike with you, the friendly folk at Strawberry Line Cycle Hub have a wide range of different bicycles, including fully accessible, ready to hire. So everyone can get involved in the adventure.

Be sure to pop into the nearby Strawberry Café to fuel up with homemade treats before setting off. Or pick up some of their tasty take-away sandwiches and enjoy a picnic en-route. This thriving social enterprise café is at the heart of the community providing skills and training for local people and young adults.

Before setting off on your adventure be sure to take a look at the beautiful station garden, located just a little further down the platform from the café. A team of passionate and dedicated volunteers tend to the garden year-round, planting bulbs, trimming shrubs and maintaining the area. The group even create their own compost to use.

Got your bike and snacks ready to go? Time to get exploring! From the cycle hub continue to the end of the car park and you’ll pick up part of the Strawberry Line. This traffic-free path follows the route of the disused Cheddar Valley Line and weaves across the Mendip Hills National Landscape for 10 miles from Yatton to Cheddar, see the route here. You’ll pass medieval towns and villages, peaceful wetlands and sprawling cider orchards.

If you’re visiting on a weekend between March and October, be sure to visit Sandford Station Railway Heritage Centre for a glimpse into what the area was like when the railway line was active. Browse the authentic railway artifacts inside the beautifully restored station building, step inside the vintage carriage, complete with compartments and guards van and if you’re in luck the Gauge One Model Railway will be in operation, check details here. Located about five miles from Yatton station you maybe ready for a refreshment break so take advantage of the small café on site offering homemade cakes, ice creams and drinks.

At the end of this part of the Strawberry Line route, you’ll reach Cheddar, renowned for its gorge and cheese. Head to Cheddar Gorge and Caves to explore the mysterious caverns and chambers of these fascinating rock formations. If the bike ride didn’t tire you out, try climbing the 274 steps of Jacobs Ladder, the view from the top will be worth it! Take a look at all the attractions and play your day at Cheddar Gorge and Caves here. Open seasonally, check times here before your visit.

Nearby you can peek behind closed doors and learn about the fascinating world of cheese-making as you take a VIP tour around the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company. However if you’re short on time, you can just pop into the Cheese Shop that’s stocked with award-winning Cheddars all produced in the onsite Diary. Don’t miss trying a selection of samples from the tasting counter!

Time to work off all that cheese and head on the bike back to Yatton, experiencing the beauty of the Somerset countryside before returning your bike to the Strawberry Line Cycle Hub. Explore Somerset by bike even further and consider completing more of the Somerset Circle, a 76 mile circular path that’s in-development around Somerset, connecting Bath and Bristol with the Mendip Hills National Landscape. Take a look at the bottom of the page here to see the progress and what part of the route is open.

More about the Strawberry Line Café and Cycle

The Strawberry Line Café and Cycle, a thriving social enterprise project, sits at the heart of the community. The inclusive project provides support, skills and training by offering spaces on their local adult workplace team. From repairing bicycles to serving customers in the café the project helps support the local community providing a valuable safe space to learn on the job skills. Find out more…