The Strawberry Line Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
The Strawberry Line is a disused railway in Somerset that was converted to a shared path. It runs for 10.5 miles, from Yatton to Cheddar. Do bear in mind that it does include a few short stretches on roads. There’s a very short section on a quiet rural lane by Congressbury, just before Sandford and a slightly longer section at Axbridge.
As is expected from a route mainly running over the Somerset Levels, it’s very flat.
There are plans to extend it, so it runs from Clevedon all the way to Shepton Mallet, but that won’t happen for a long time. The Strawberry Line forms part of my Somerset Circle GoCycle multi-day route guide.
The route runs through the grounds of Thatchers Cider, and it’s possible to book a brewery tour.
Surface on the Strawberry Line
The surface, almost throughout, is self-compacting gravel, and is rideable almost in all weather. However, it is rather potholed in several parts, and can get muddy after rain.
Bikes
Bikes with bigger tyres are better, and road bikes may struggle.
Toilets
There are toilets at Yatton train station, at Winscombe (but slightly off the trail), in Axbridge and in Cheddar.
Ratings
Safety: ⭐⭐⭐
Hilliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Refreshment stops: ⭐⭐
Barriers: ⭐
Surface: ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐
Points of Interest
Cheddar Gorge is stunning, and worth exploring, though cycling it can be a challenge.
The Wookey Hole is nearby, as is Wells, England’s smallest city, and Glastonbury Tor isn’t overly far away, either.
The route runs straight through the Thatcher’s brewery, and you can book a brewery tour.
Routes in Somerset
- Taunton & Bridgwater Canal traffic-free cycle route
- Bristol and Bath Railway Path
- Two Tunnels Greenway
- Colliers Way traffic-free cycle route
- The Strawberry Line cycle route
Barriers
The Strawberry Line is littered with the dreaded A-frame barriers, meaning trikes, trailers and adapted bikes will not get through. Some of the A-frames are so tight that it’s a struggle on a loaded touring bike, with panniers on.
Forecast for the Strawberry Line
What it looks like
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle. Many contain detailed route guides, as well as embedded maps (like the one below) from which you can download the GPX file for the route.