Strawberry Line Path
An 11-mile path in Somerset following the trackbed of the disused Strawberry Line Railway from Yatton to Cheddar. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: ST 425 660
Distance: 11 miles (17 km)
Time: 4–5 hours
Duration: 1 day
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
141 Cheddar Gorge, Mendip Hills, Wells and Glastonbury
153 Weston-super-Mare and Bleadon Hill
154 Bristol West and Portishead
Summary
The Strawberry Line Path makes use of the disused railway line between Yatton and Cheddar. The trail starts at Yatton railway station and heads south to Congresbury railway station. From Congresbury, where the platforms and railway workers’ houses remain, the route continues across irrigated flatlands to Sandford.
Upon reaching the rail bridge on the outskirts of Sandford, the trail joins Nye Road for about half a mile before turning right into a new off-road link. The route continues through to Winscombe, where the scenery changes from open land to railway cuttings. After Winscombe, the line continues south to Shute Shelve Tunnel, which cuts underneath Shute Shelve Hill.
After the tunnel, the line continues due south to meet the A38 at the former level crossing. From this point, the line turns eastwards and follows the southern edge of the Mendip Hills, crossing the Cheddar Yeo to Axbridge. The Strawberry Line trail goes through the town and skirts around the north and east side of Cheddar Reservoir before coming to an end beside the former station, a mile from Cheddar Gorge.