Axbridge is a quaint medieval town with a beautiful medieval square that is set on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills looking across the Somerset levels to Brent Knoll, the Quantocks, Exmoor and the Bristol Channel with panoramic views from many spots.

There are many beautiful medieval and Georgian listed buildings in Axbridge including St. John the Baptist's Church and King John's Hunting Lodge (a part-timbered structured building), both are in opposite corners of the square. There are many painting spots just within the market square itself not to mention painting the panoramic views of the Somerset levels.

These 2 lakes within a stones throw of each other and at the foot of the Mendip Hills are an ideal setting for painting water and wildlife.

On Chew Valley Lake there is plenty of wildlife including over 250 species of birds, owls, birds of prey, osprey and many lush water plants as well as many wild flowers. There is a sailing club bringing diversity to the lake and plenty of woodland and at over 2 miles long there are a variety of subjects to paint.

Blagdon Lake has plenty of wildlife including deer and is over 1 1/2 miles long and contains plenty of wildflowers including various species of orchids.

Burrington Combe is a gorge cut into the northern side of the Mendip Hills and has impressive rock formations and cliffs a few hundred feet high, with lush vegetation. The famous "Rock of Ages" which is a large fissure in the cliff where Rev. A. Toplady sheltered during a storm and was inspired to write the hymn "Rock of Ages, cleft for me".

"Rock of Ages" and the cliffs of Burrington makes for a dramatic painting with the counter change of the vegetation and the added interest of wildlife.

At the top of Burrington Combe is the moorland common with gorgeous panoramic views across the Bristol Channel to Wales & Exmoor, up-to Bristol and Chew Valley Lake, Blagdon Lake as well as the surrounding areas.

There is extensive moorland where goats, deer and the Mendip Ponies roam free. From here the highest point of the Mendips, Beacon Batch (325m) can be seen. From this point are stunning views where the above views can be seen plus the Severn bridges and views up the Severn and many counties are visible on a clear day.

There are a number of amazing views that can be painted from this spot.

The world famous Cheddar Gorge, the largest in Britain, contains many shops (including Cheddar Gallery!), 450 foot high limestone cliffs (the highest in Britain) that form the gorge and various caves including Gough's cave which contains the Yeo (Britain's biggest underground river) & Cox's Cave. There are steps and paths up the side of the gorge so that it can be viewed from above or below.

From above views can be seen across the Somerset levels, Cheddar Reservoir, Axbridge, Brent Knoll, to the Bristol Channel, Quantocks, Exmoor, the islands of Steep Holm & Flat Holm and the Welsh Mountains.

Within the gorge many goats roam free and there is a wide variety of vegetation and at each turn there is a different dramatic rock structure to inspire everyone. There are countless painting spots within the gorge from waterfalls, lakes, trees, wildlife, quaint cottages to dramatic cliffs.

The reservoir, just outside the gorge, affords fantastic panoramic views around all 360 degrees. From the reservoir, you can see Crook Peak, Brent Knoll, the Medieval town of Axbridge, the Gorge itself, Glastonbury Tor & the Mendip Hills.

There is a yachting club and many trees and hills as a back-drop giving plenty of painting material.

This is a short drive from Priddy and is a fantastic spot for viewing the Somerset levels, the Bristol Channel, Brean Down, the islands of Steep Holm & Flat Holm, the Quantocks, Exmoor, Wales and Glastonbury Tor, all from the southern edge of the Mendips within a stones throw from Ebbor Gorge, Wookey and Wells.

The sheer panoramic position of this spot will leave the artist spoilt for choice on a clear day.

This well known landmark has been attracting people for centuries and in Medieval times a Church was built on it by a group of monks. The tower still remains today and forms a significant part of the Tor's shape when seen on the skyline. Local artists and photographers are fascinated by the effects that can be gained from different lighting conditions around the Tor including sunsets and views at night or in early morning.

One of the oldest villages and the highest village on top of the Mendips, Priddy has a large village green with a pub, farm house and quaint buildings and has many spots to inspire you to paint.

This quaint little village by the sea has beautiful views of Brean Down and across the Bristol Channel to Wales including the islands of Steep Holm & Flat Holm. In the village is a tower and a church on the edge of a cliff which gives beautiful panoramic views. Within Uphill are many wild flowers and numerous species of birds that feed on the salt flats at low tide. There is a boat yard at the mouth of the River Axe all with plenty of ideas for painting.