Explore Chew Magna through both its history and landscape: the village circular walk passes important sights, follows paths along the River Chew and continues through open fields. The Church of St Andrew and the churchyard cross give the village a historical connection; Chew Valley Lake offers a different kind of route and birdwatching.
St Andrew’s and the Village’s History
The Church of St Andrew is a Grade I listed parish church, the highest designation; its origins date back to the 12th century. An impressive medieval cross stands in the churchyard, believed to date from the 15th century. The church and cross offer two distinct points of reference in time: the parish church’s early history and a later medieval monument.
The village’s history extends beyond individual buildings. In the Middle Ages, Chew Magna was a thriving centre for wool processing. Thus, looking at the parish church and churchyard cross connects with another aspect of the village’s history: the importance of wool processing in medieval Chew Magna.
River, Landscape and Paths
The River Chew flows through Chew Magna and its parish. The village lies close to the northern edge of the Mendip Hills, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The parish also has public rights of way connecting the village with the surrounding countryside and neighbouring communities. The river, landscape and paths therefore offer distinct ways to explore the village and its surroundings.
The Village Circular Walk and an Alternative Route
The circular walk through Chew Magna connects village streets with riverside paths and countryside trails. It passes important village sights and then continues through open fields along the River Chew. Its route brings the village and landscape together in a single circuit: you can combine village streets, sights and riverside paths with stretches across open fields, rather than limiting your walk to a single section.
At Chew Valley Lake, the Chew Valley Lake Recreational Trail covers 2.7 km. The route is accessible to bicycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs; accessibility conditions may change, so check before visiting. The two walking options have different focuses: the village circular walk centres on the connections between the village, its sights and the landscape, while the lakeside trail has a specified length and the accessibility features listed above.
Birdwatching and Village Life
At Chew Valley Lake, visitors can watch birds from five bird hides with a permit. 260 bird species can be found there; potential sightings are subject to site management. If you plan to go birdwatching, check the permit requirements in advance. This keeps this part of your visit subject to the required access conditions, while potential sightings depend on site management.
In the village, the Old School Room is now the main venue for activities. The Veg Shed offers a specific connection to seasonal produce: the shop at the entrance to The Community Farm on Denny Lane in Chew Magna sells organically grown seasonal produce. For road access, Chew Magna is on the B3130. Together, these places and details offer a glimpse of different aspects of a visit: historic buildings, walks through the village and countryside, birdwatching at the lake, and today’s activities and seasonal produce in the village.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Ubley, Pensford, Midsomer Norton, Batheaston, Bath, Farrington Gurney, Wellow, Temple Cloud
For the main travel overview: Bath And North East Somerset.
