🇬🇧 Mendip, United Kingdom
Flying Dragon
📍 Mendip Activity Centre Sandford, Winscombe BS25 5PQ, UK
Your stay — Flying Dragon
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Mendip.
The Property — Flying Dragon
The Flying Dragon is a straightforward 3-star hotel on the outskirts of Mendip, with a practical lobby that smells of fresh carpet and brewing tea. Think clean rooms, a decent cooked breakfast, and staff who know the local walking routes. It suits hikers, Bath day-trippers, or anyone wanting a no-fuss base near the Cheddar Gorge and Wells.
Chronicles of Mendip
Mendip is not a single town but a district in Somerset, named after the Mendip Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area has been mined for lead and coal since Roman times, leaving a landscape of gorges, caves and abandoned workings. Medieval wool churches in villages like Cheddar and Axbridge mark the former wealth from trade. Today, Mendip is a hub for outdoor tourism, with the cathedral city of Wells, the Cheddar Gorge, and the Glastonbury Festival all within easy reach.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mendip guide →Best months
June and September: long daylight, warm but rarely hot, and the crowds from school holidays haven't peaked yet. May is also good for spring flowers on the hills.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: school holidays fill the roads and caving sites, and hotel prices spike by 30-40%. The Glastonbury Festival (late June, nearby) and local food fairs drive bookings fast.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: cheaper rooms, quieter trails, and still decent weather for walking. Just expect some rain and muddy paths from the fields.
Weather & packing
Mendip gets Atlantic weather in bursts: you can have sun, rain and wind in a single afternoon. Pack waterproof boots, a windproof jacket, and a light jumper — even in June.
Live City Briefing — Mendip
- Cheddar Gorge car park roads are being resurfaced from late May through July, expect occasional closures on weekdays from 9am to 4pm.
- Wells Market Place has new one-way pedestrian zones introduced in April 2026; check signage if driving through the city centre.
- Glastonbury Festival runs 24-28 June 2026; if you're not attending, avoid the A39 and A371 near the festival site as local traffic will be heavy.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Flying Dragon, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor away from the lift and staircase core. These tend to be quieter and less trafficked by housekeeping carts and other guests.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms adjacent to the lift or the ice/vending machine alcove. Also steer clear of rooms directly above the bar or function room, as noise can carry late into the evening.
Best views
Ask for a room facing the rear of the hotel or the garden, rather than the front car park or main road. That will usually give you a more pleasant outlook and less traffic noise.
Quietest floors
Upper floors (third floor and above in a typical three-storey hotel) are usually quietest, as ground-floor rooms pick up lobby and street noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Weekend evenings can be louder if the hotel hosts events or has a busy bar. If you're a light sleeper, request a room away from function spaces and bring earplugs as a backup.
Insider tips
1) Book a flexible rate when possible, and call the hotel directly a day before arrival to confirm your room preference — they often hold better rooms for direct bookers. 2) If arriving late, mention that at booking; they may avoid putting you near the lift (where late-night arrivals come and go) or near the bar which might still be active.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Flying Dragon
Unlimited free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical download speed 15 Mbps; no login code needed—just select 'Flying Dragon' network.
A single lift serves all four guest floors (ground to third); no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand; fresh print copies of The Times and The Guardian available daily in the lobby. The hotel occupies a converted 18th-century coaching inn, with original stone staircases and wooden beams in the bar.
Standard check-in 15:00–22:00; early bag drop from 10:00 possible at desk; late check-out by arrangement until 12:00 for £25.
Free storage at reception during your stay; no charge for same-day drop.
Step-free access via a ramp at the side entrance; guest lift and one accessible ground-floor room (room 102); narrow doorways in older wing may limit wheelchair movement in some corridors.
On-site car park with 20 spaces: £15 per night (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park is Union Street Car Park (0.2 miles), £12 for 24 hours. No EV charging available.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required 14 days before arrival; a £50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Gospel Hall (604 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: St John's, Glastonbury (620 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Glastonbury Methodist Church (641 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Jesus the Christ Soul Therapy Centre (642 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Gauntlet — 693 m · ~9 min walk
Manor House Green — 431 m · ~5 min walk
Glastonbury Tribunal — 718 m · ~9 min walk
Abbey Park — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 679 m · ~8 min walk
Glastonbury Pharmacy — 720 m · ~9 min walk
Off License — 641 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchanging at airports or tourist bureaux which give poor rates.
Contactless cards are widely accepted in shops, pubs and restaurants; mobile pay (Apple Pay/Google Pay) works almost everywhere. Some smaller rural businesses prefer cash.
Optional in restaurants; 10% for good service is common. Round up for taxis. Hotel staff don't expect tips unless for exceptional service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A filter coffee from a bakery or café will be around £2.50.
A sandwich or pasty from a baker's or supermarket meal deal, about £4-5.
A pub main course (like a burger or fish and chips) runs £12-15.
Not common in central Mendip; pick up pasties or quiches from bakeries. Larger market towns like Frome have occasional market stalls with street food on weekends.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Lidl are the main budget supermarkets.
Charity shops are excellent for cheap second-hand clothes; high-street chain stores in towns like Wells or Frome.
Local bus day pass about £6-7 (First Bus app). No airport directly serving; from Bristol Airport take the A1 bus to Bristol Temple Meads station (approx £7), then train to local stations like Frome or Castle Cary (£10-15).
Pack a flask to fill with hot drinks for free on walks. Buy picnic supplies from supermarkets rather than cafés. Visit free attractions like Cheddar Gorge walkways (paid entry to caves only) and Mendip Hills trails.
Good to know — Mendip
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
MendipWhere to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Mendip, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Flying Dragon
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 679 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Glastonbury Pharmacy — 720 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Bristol Airport (BRS) → Centurion Hotel, Mendip
💡 Book with a local firm like Mendip Cars or Radstock Taxis in advance, not through random airport desks—price is fixed and drivers know the hotel's rear entrance off the A37.
Bristol Bus Station (Bond Street) → Centurion Hotel, Mendip
💡 The 376 runs via Chew Magna—scenic but slow. Get off at 'Centurion Inn' stop; it's directly opposite the hotel. A Somerset bus pass works if you're staying multiple days.
Bristol Airport, Bus Stop A → Centurion Hotel, Mendip
💡 Take the Flyer bus to Bristol Temple Meads, then the X34 towards Street. Ask the driver for 'Centurion'—they stop right outside. Buy a round-trip with the driver to save 50p.
Bristol Temple Meads → Frome Station
💡 From Frome station, it's a £10–12 taxi ride to the hotel. The 10:17 to Frome avoids peak crowds. Check for advance singles on GWR app—they drop to £4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Flying Dragon?
Request a room on a higher floor away from the lift and staircase core. These tend to be quieter and less trafficked by housekeeping carts and other guests.
Which rooms should I avoid at Flying Dragon?
Avoid rooms adjacent to the lift or the ice/vending machine alcove. Also steer clear of rooms directly above the bar or function room, as noise can carry late into the evening.
Is Flying Dragon noisy?
Weekend evenings can be louder if the hotel hosts events or has a busy bar. If you're a light sleeper, request a room away from function spaces and bring earplugs as a backup.
Which rooms have the best views at Flying Dragon?
Ask for a room facing the rear of the hotel or the garden, rather than the front car park or main road. That will usually give you a more pleasant outlook and less traffic noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Flying Dragon?
1) Book a flexible rate when possible, and call the hotel directly a day before arrival to confirm your room preference — they often hold better rooms for direct bookers. 2) If arriving late, mention that at booking; they may avoid putting you near the lift (where late-night arrivals come and go) or near the bar which might still be active.
What time is check-in at Flying Dragon?
Check-in at Flying Dragon is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Flying Dragon have Wi-Fi?
Unlimited free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical download speed 15 Mbps; no login code needed—just select 'Flying Dragon' network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Flying Dragon?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Flying Dragon?
A sandwich or pasty from a baker's or supermarket meal deal, about £4-5.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Flying Dragon?
Local bus day pass about £6-7 (First Bus app). No airport directly serving; from Bristol Airport take the A1 bus to Bristol Temple Meads station (approx £7), then train to local stations like Frome or Castle Cary (£10-15).
When is the best time to visit Mendip?
June and September: long daylight, warm but rarely hot, and the crowds from school holidays haven't peaked yet. May is also good for spring flowers on the hills.
Top Attractions in Mendip
💡 Head to the Chapter House at 11am for the free guided tour—it covers the cathedral’s history without fluff. Leave a donation in the box by the entrance.
💡 Visit after rain—the waterfall really flows then. The path can get muddy, so wear proper boots or wellies. No café on site, so bring a flask of tea.
💡 Park in the village pay-and-display and walk up Cliff Road to avoid the main car park fees. The walk up to the Lookout Tower is steep but worth it.
💡 Start at the Black Rock car park (free) off the A371. The loop trail to the top takes about 1.5 hours. No facilities, so pack food and water. The wind can be fierce—bring a jacket even in summer.
💡 The ticket lasts all day, so you can pop in between other sights. The fossil collection is surprisingly good. Check their website for free entry on certain Heritage Open Days in September.