Wavering Down

Owned and managed by the National Trust and part of the same SSSI as Crook Peak, Wavering Down is an impressive hill with even more impressive views. There's a trig point at the summit and the views include a glimpse of Cheddar reservoir. Half the down is open common land whilst the other half is fields.

Wavering Down is a part if the large area adjoining to Crook Peak which is a geological and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near the western end of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Somerset.As part of the nature reserve management there are wild ponies and sheep grazing to protect the rare plants and flowers that the grassland supports. It is important to keep your dog under close control and on a lead at all times on Wavering Down and Crook Peak.Most of the site is owned by the National Trust who bought 725 acres (293 ha) in 1985, and much of it has been designated as common land. It was notified as an SSSI by Natural England in 1952. The ecology of the area includes ancient woodland and calcareous grassland which supports nationally rare species including the Cheddar pink. The underlying rocks are Carboniferous Limestone containing phreatic caves at Shute Shelve Cavern and Picken's Hole from which fossils dating from the Middle Devensian have been recovered.