Somer Valleys

Nestled between Bath and the Mendip Hills of Somerset are hidden villages and valleys with some fascinating tales to tell.

The area has a rich industrial heritage relating to its past as an important coalfield. Villages such as historic Camerton and Paulton were once home to mining collieries and the past is still present in the terraced miner's cottages and batches, or spoil heaps, that dot the landscape. Other evidence can be spotted in local names, such as the Guss and Crook pub in Timsbury. This refers to the belt and hook with which young men and boys hauled heavy sledges of coal.

Moving away from the realities of life on the coalface the local area also boasts a few fictional links. Some of the small villages on the edge of the Somer Valleys lay claim to being the source of well-loved nursery rhymes.

Jack and Jill Hill sign The hill that Jack and Jill are reputed to have fallen down is set in the picturesque village of Kilmersdon. In 1999 the Jack and Jill Millennium project re-discovered a medieval well shaft which is now marked with a plaque.

Nearby the village of Mells is home to the rhyme about Little Jack Horner. He was said to be the steward to the Bishop of Glastonbury during the reign of Henry VIII, who stole the deeds to the manor of Mells. The village is dotted with thatched cottages and in the springtime, it is swathed in flowers for its annual Daffodil Weekend. The local pub, the Talbot Inn, dates back to the 15th century.

The village of Holcombe was decimated by the Black Death which killed nearly all its inhabitants in 1348. The few survivors fled up the hill which is now the site of the present day village. Holcombe is often associated with the rhyme, 'Ring O Roses', but it also has connections with Captain Scott of the Antarctic, whose father is buried in the old churchyard.

Nearby are the larger towns of Midsomer Norton and Radstock which serve as a focal point for the area.

While both towns enjoy a history that stretches back to the Iron Age it is their link with coal mining that is still a source of pride.

Midsomer Norton High Street Midsomer Norton town centre has some fine historic buildings, including the Old Priory Hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant, and 15th century tithe barn which is now home to the Catholic Church.

The River Somer runs through the centre of the town, providing a waterside backdrop for leisurely shopping. The town also boasts a lively events calendar including an annual Mardi Gras, Carnival and monthly Farmer's Market.

Radstock Museum Neighbouring Radstock is one of the best preserved former coal-mining towns in England and has been awarded conservation area status. The Radstock Museum is a good introduction to the area, displaying exhibits and reconstruction of life in the North Somerset coalfield. Radstock is also home to Norton Radstock College offering a range of full time, part time and short courses.

On Waterloo Road, the Memorial Park provides a green space for informal relaxation by the brook. Running into the town are two routes for cyclists and walkers - the local Greenway and the Colliers Way. The latter is part of National Cycle Network 24, a route that is currently being developed from Bath's Limpley Stoke Valley to the South Coast. The path makes use of the area's former railway lines and quiet country lanes, allowing you to explore at your own leisure.

How to get here: From Bath take the A367 to Radstock. Click on the RAC website for a detailed routeplanner. For information on bus routes and timetables see First Group. For information on walking and cycling along the Colliers Way see www.bathnes.gov.uk or Sustrans

Explore further:
'Rivers, Villages and Valleys' - an illustrated journey through North East Somerset, Bristol and Bath. (£3.95 from Bath Tourist Information Centre)
'Cycling in Bath & beyond' (£3.95 from Bath Tourist Information Centre)

Drop into Bath's Tourist Information Centre for a selection of free leaflets on the Somer Valleys.