Railway route named as one of UK's favourite paths

A pathway that follows an old railway route linking the coast with a hilly landscape has been named as one of Britain's favourite paths.

The Strawberry Line, which runs between Yatton in North Somerset and Cheddar, has been nominated as one of eight routes in walking charity Ramblers' annual competition.

Public voting has now opened and Britain's Favourite Path 2026 will be announced later this year.

Mick Fletcher, the chair of the Strawberry Line Society, said he was "absolutely delighted" to get the nomination, adding the path was in "good company".

Fletcher and his team have been working for years to extend the traffic-free route which will eventually run uninterrupted to Shepton Mallet through the Mendip Hills.

He described the nomination as a "feather in our cap".

"I feel it reflects some of the hard work people have done to bring the path into being and to keep it as beautiful as it is," he added.

He also said he believes the recognition will appeal to decision makers to show its value.

The path was nominated by Amanda Jane Baldwin, who lives in the village of Winscombe and described the route as "stunning".

She added: "I moved to Winscombe more than seven years ago and this path has been trod by myself more times than I can count.

"It's accessible in all weathers, it goes on for miles, it's an absolute pleasure to walk on. It's beautiful and I appreciate the nature all around me while on the path."

The walking and cycling route follows much of the old Cheddar Valley Railway, which closed in 1963 as part of the Beeching cuts.

The Strawberry Line Society has been working with Somerset Council and local landowners to deliver the remaining sections of the path – with the council announcing in early-April that £730,000 would be provided towards this and other rural routes over the next two years.

A further £30,000 for smaller-scale improvements to the route was provided in early-June by the management team of the Mendip Hills National Landscape (formerly area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB).

Other routes nominated include Buttermere Circular Path in Cumbria, Hangleton to Devil's Dyke Path, Sussex, and Holy Island Causeway Path, Northumberland.

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