The district covered a largely rural area of 285 square miles (738 km2)[3] with a population of approximately 112,500,[3] ranging from the Wiltshire border in the east to part of the Somerset Levels in the west.

[7] An alternative explanation is that the name is cognate with Mened (Welsh mynydd), a Brythonic term for upland moorland.

The first is 'the stone pit' from the Celtic meyn and dyppa in reference to the collapsed cave systems of Cheddar.

[10] The five main settlements of the former Mendip council were Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Street and Wells.

[11] Other villages and hamlets included: Media related to Mendip District at Wikimedia Commons