ST3855 : Circles and lines
Moderate hill walking; steep, rocky sections

Crook Peak

191m Elevation
46m Prominence
England Country
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ST3855 : Circles and lines

Neil Owen Photo source

Overview

Crook Peak is a 191 m limestone hill above Compton Bishop in the western Mendip Hills, Somerset. Its rocky summit overlooks the Somerset Levels and Bristol Channel. Walks approach from Webbington Road or cross the ridge from King's Wood over Wavering Down. Expect steep grassy slopes, uneven rock and muddy paths after rain.

Crook Peak

Crook Peak is a 191 m hill above Compton Bishop in the western Mendip Hills, Somerset. Its 46 m prominence makes it a Tump. The summit is a limestone outcrop; the trig point on the ridge to the east belongs to Wavering Down (211 m).

Landscape

Carboniferous limestone forms the ridge, with Burrington Oolite exposed at Crook Peak's summit. Grassland, gorse and woodland surround the rocky top. Views include the Somerset Levels, Glastonbury Tor, Brean Down and the Bristol Channel.

Walking routes

The Webbington Road circuit returns through Compton Bishop and over Crook Peak, with a contouring section below Wavering Down. The longer King's Wood circuit crosses Wavering Down and returns through Compton Bishop and Cross, finishing with a climb back to the car park. Use the route-specific distances and ascent totals in the route notes.

Access and care

Parking approaches include Webbington Road and King's Wood off the A38. First Bus 126 serves Winscombe and Axbridge; check the current timetable and allow for the walk to the chosen start. Shute Shelve is a separate locality farther east, across the A38 from King's Wood.

Paths are steep in places and can become muddy and slippery. Take care around the summit rocks and at road crossings. Conservation cattle graze these hills. Keep dogs on a short lead around livestock and wildlife, give animals space, and take dog waste away.

Crook Peak has long served as a landscape landmark and boundary. The origin of its name is uncertain.

Explore routes near Crook Peak

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Cheddar River Yeo and Stubbingham Drove Circuit

8.2 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Weston-super-Mare Walk with Men Walking & Talking

View route

Yatton to Sandford Strawberry Line and Cider Orchards

15.2 km ~4h 30m Easy

View route

Three Priddy Droves: Pelting, Dursdon and East Water circuit

7.8 km ~2h 45m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Crook Peak and Compton Bishop from Webbington Road

From the Webbington Road car park at ST392550, cross to the National Trust sign and follow the hillside bridleway right, crossing the foot of Crook Peak's descending ridge before entering Compton Bishop. Take the village lanes and field paths east, then climb the slope of Wavering Down. The main route turns left onto the contour path below its summit, joining the West Mendip Way farther west. Follow the wall towards Crook Peak; approach its top from the western side to avoid the direct rocky scramble. Descend the south-eastern ridge to the outward path, turn right and retrace it to the road crossing and car park. Ramblers route 0.1597 gives 6.3 km, 282 m ascent, 282 m descent and 2 hours. The Wavering Down trig-point alternative changes the route.

6.3 km ~2 hours Moderate

Wavering Down and Crook Peak from King's Wood

Start at King's Wood car park, ST421560. Follow the West Mendip Way west through woodland past Hill Farm, over Wavering Down beside its trig point, and across Compton Hill to Crook Peak. Return to the junction at ST389560, descend towards Compton Bishop and turn left into the village at ST395551. Turn right at the road, then first left; cross the next lane to the footpath. At ST400554 turn right towards Bourton Farm. Turn right down its track, then immediately left on the path through woodland around the quarry to Cross. Turn left along the village road; before the A38, turn left onto the bridleway at ST418547 and climb back to King's Wood car park. Walking Britain's Visorando route 293058 gives 9.43 km, 277 m ascent, 278 m descent and 3 hours 30 minutes.

9.4 km ~3.5 hours Moderate
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

100-199m hill

Elevation

191m

627 ft

Prominence

46m

Coordinates

51.2983, -2.8800

ST387558

OS Map

182

Explorer: 153

At the Summit

A natural limestone outcrop at ST387558. Wavering Down, farther east, has the trig point; its 211 m summit is a rock just north of that pillar. Crook Peak's summit feature is not a trig point or a large cairn.

Terrain & Geology

Limestone outcrops grassy slopes woodland paths muddy tracks steep ascents and descents

Crook Peak belongs to the Carboniferous Limestone ridge extending towards Axbridge. Black Rock Limestone forms the northern scarp, while the summit crags expose the overlying Burrington Oolite. The ridge is part of the southern limb of the Blackdown pericline; erosion has re-exposed older valleys on its southern side.

Views & Scenery

Views across the Somerset Levels towards Glastonbury Tor, west towards Brean Down and the Bristol Channel, and east along the Mendip ridge.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The origin of the name Crook Peak is uncertain.

Historical Significance

Crook Peak has long been a conspicuous local landmark and boundary, as described by the National Trust.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Webbington Road has a roadside parking area at ST392550 below Crook Peak, with picnic tables. King's Wood car park, ST421560, is just off the A38 on Winscombe Hill and suits the ridge approach over Wavering Down. Park within the designated areas and leave gates and access clear.

Public Transport

First Bus 126 runs between Weston-super-Mare and Wells via Winscombe and Axbridge. Winscombe is an approach for King's Wood, with an additional walk to the trailhead. Check the operator's current timetable, return service and diversions before travelling; bus services in the Mendips are limited.

Nearby Facilities

Picnic tables are listed at Webbington Road parking. Public toilets are on Moorland Street in Axbridge. Bring water and food for the hill; town facilities are away from the summit.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep grassy slopes and uneven summit rock need care; wet paths can be slippery. The direct rocky approach to Crook Peak can be avoided by approaching from its western side.
  • Cattle graze Crook Peak, including areas managed with virtual fencing. Give livestock space, keep dogs on a short lead and avoid getting between animals and their young. If cattle threaten you, let the dog go so you can both escape.
  • The described circuits include road crossings, lanes and junctions among several hillside paths. Keep track of the return route; the King's Wood circuit finishes with an uphill section.

Seasonal Hazards

Wet weather can make the paths muddy and slippery. The contouring path below Wavering Down can be overgrown and particularly muddy in winter; the summit alternative changes the route and its effort.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Crook Peak?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Crook Peak through the maps

Are there other walkers around Crook Peak?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Crook Peak search or of course create your own walk for Crook Peak

Can I organise a walk to Crook Peak?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Crook Peak.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Crook Peak?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Crook Peak here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Crook Peak location map

Grid reference: ST387558

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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