MENDIP HILLS

Mendip Hills, range of hills in the geographic

county of Somerset, England, extending 23 miles
(37 km) northwest from the Frome valley. The
Eastern Mendip is comparatively low, but the
Western Mendip forms a plateau 6 miles wide and
more than 800 feet (244 metres) high. Farther west
the Wavering Down and Bleadon Hill continue the
trend of the upland toward the Bristol Channel.
Swallet holes and drainage (the sudden
disappearance of streams and rivers
underground) characterize the easily dissolved
rocks of the limestone region. There are many
caves such as those at Wookey Hole and
Cheddar Cliffs.