Cheddar Gorge (England)

People have been visiting Cheddar in Somerset for hundreds of years to see the picturesque limestone gorge in the southern part of the Mendip Hills. Here are the highest inland cliffs in the country, which can be viewed from either the public road at the base of the gorge or the footpaths along the cliff tops.

The Mendip Hill area has been designated An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The commercialism of Cheddar has detracted ...
...Buses run from there to Cheddar (enquiries tel: 0870 6082608).

We travelled by car, and found that the roads were well sign posted to the Cheddar Caves and Gorge from the M5 Junction 22.

When we arrived, we first drove the length of the Gorge to decide where we wanted to park. When were there, midweek at the end of September, there was a choice of parking spaces available to visitors arriving throughout the day, at both ... more

People have been visiting Cheddar in Somerset for hundreds of years to see the picturesque limestone gorge in the southern part of the Mendip Hills. Here are the highest inland cliffs in the country, which can be viewed from either the public road at the base of the gorge or the footpaths along the cliff tops.

The Mendip Hill area has been designated An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The commercialism of Cheddar has detracted from that, but you don't have to go far from here to fully appreciate it.

The nearest rail station is Weston-super-Mare (enquiries tel: 08457 484950). Buses run from there to Cheddar (enquiries tel: 0870 6082608).

We travelled by car, and found that the roads were well sign posted to the Cheddar Caves and Gorge from the M5 Junction 22.

When we arrived, we first drove the length of the Gorge to decide where we wanted to park. When were there, midweek at the end of September, there was a choice of parking spaces available to visitors arriving throughout the day, at both the top and bottom ends of the Gorge, even though one of the smaller car parks was being dug up.

We chose the bottom of the Gorge, in the main car park, because this is where a scenic tour bus picks up.

The Gorge doesn't have a cable car, but there is a notice saying that it is likely to in the future.

** Coping with Disabilities and Very Young Children **

I will explain how I coped with what would be a difficult day out for some, and also try to see my day through the eyes of others who are more or less able than me.

I would NOT advise anyone to go to Cheddar in the six week school summer holidays, as it is a popular tourist attraction with very limited space in the Gorge.

For those with school age children, the best time could be the half term holidays. If you don't have school age children, I advise avoiding all school holiday times.

The narrow pavements on the road up the George make it difficult but not impossible to use pushchairs. The slope is steep though.

There are special toilet facilities for disabled people, and mothers with young children.

I am not aware of any concessionary prices for those with disabilities, or their carers. I would advise those with worse disabilities than mine to contact Cheddar Caves and/or the Tourist Information Centre for further advice.

My disabilities include low stamina, and poor balance. I can walk up one flight of stairs in an ordinary house at my own pace, but I should always use the handrail, as I only have one working ear, for both hearing and balance.

I made sure I used the handrails provided in the caves.

** Gough's Cave **

This is the largest of the two show caves, and the part of the visit I enjoyed most.

I was pleasantly surprised that this cave is wide enough and had gentle enough slopes for at least half the way, to make it the easiest show cave I know of for those with young children or disabilities. After it becomes unsuitable for pushchairs, there is a place to park and collect them later, for those who want to carry their child around the most difficult part to access, which you need to visit to see the most spectacular two caverns.

At the entrance you are loaned what looks like a large telephone with commentaries on it. I found these commentaries gave me all the information I wanted in an entertaining way.

First you press the green button, which explains how to access the information that is most relevant to you, and then you look for numbers on the wall of this cave, which advise you which keys to press.

The adult information is in English, French or German. Commentaries include information about history, geology, and wildlife. The narrator is usually supposed to be the voice of the late Mr Gough, who found the caves. He has a mild Somerset accent, but is very clear. Other voices sometimes complement his, including the voice of a bat. The voice of a bat sounds a bit strange on reflection. I thought I was listening to the adult version, but perhaps I had pressed the children's commentary at that point.

There is a children's version in English. Out of curiosity I listened to some of the children's version, where Mrs Gough, tells tales that would be of most interest to younger visitors. She says that although her husband claims that he found the caves, in was really their children, while out exploring. He just takes the credit for it.

This cave was in fact re-discovered by Gough in 1890. Research shows that our ancestors used it in the Stone Age though. The skeleton of Cheddar Man, which is Britain's oldest complete skeleton, was found in this cave. (You get the opportunity to learn more about that if you visit.)

I didn't have any questions, but some people did, and the staff in the cave seemed happy to answer them.

Don't forget to take your imagination into the caves with you, as this will make it a lot more interesting. Look at the different formations that are obvious, and also the ones that you can only see in the mirror pools. By clever positioning of lights, the roofs of some of the smaller crevices are reflected into the water.

** Cox's Cave **

This was found by George Cox in 1837, when one of his workers fell through a hole in the roof while collecting stones to use as building material.

There are commentary points throughout the cave, which are automatically activated. I found this difficult to take in, as I could hear the distant commentaries, as well as the one I wanted to listen to, at the same time.

This is a lot smaller, with narrower passages than Gough's Cave.

The second half of the tour of this cave is very commercialised, and contains the Crystal Quest walk through fantasy adventure. Visitors are given the chance to exit before they go through this, in case any are too nervous for it.

I bravely continued through the Quest section, although I didn't leave my hubby's side. I was only a little frightened by the dragon, honest.

** Jacob's Ladder, Lookout Tower & Gorge Walk **

Unfortunately I am not fit enough to cope with these attractions. Jacob's Ladder is a set of 274 steps, which lead to the Lookout Tower at the top of the gorge.

The Gorge Walk is a 3 mile circular walk on the land at the top of the cliffs, which should give good long distance views on clear days. On the back of our Explorer Ticket there is a map of the Clifftop Gorge Walk, which says there are some steep and rocky sections of path and that you should allow 2 hrs for this.

I did go on walks of a similar length while on our week's holiday in Somerset, but couldn't cope with it on the same day as walking around the bottom of the gorge and going into the caves.

The walks I did go on were away from the popular tourist spots, and as we wore clothing with colours that blended in with the natural background, I expect I saw a lot more shy wildlife than I would have done had I gone on this walk.

** Gorge Tour Bus **

This is advertised as running between March to October in an open top double-decker bus, with a talk from the guide.

The bus was still running when we went, but seemed to be there just to help people who couldn't walk well up to the main attractions.

** Cheddar Man & the Cannibals Exhibition **

This is advertised as, "The perfect place to find out why our ancestors liked eating people." I found this small museum moderately interesting. It is designed so that some part of it should be of some interest to most age groups.

The owners say, "Don't come if you prefer not to be surprised or shocked." I think that the gory exhibits are likely to be of most interest to children. I saw a note in the visitor's book, in childlike writing, saying that the giant model of a de-fleshed skull reminded them of the way their dad looks normally.

One part is about interpreting cave paintings, and gives youngsters the chance to paint on a washable surface.

There are also plenty of relatively mundane historical finds displayed.

** Cost **

The Caves and Gorge Explorer Ticket includes Gough's Cave, Cox's Cave with Crystal Quest, Jacob's Ladder, the Lookout Tower, the Clifftop Walk and Open Top Gorge Tour.

This costs £10.90 for Adults and £7.90 for Children 5-15 years. Under 5's are free.

If you visit places displaying tourist information leaflets before you visit, you may find a money-off voucher, as we did. We found a £1 off voucher on a free leaflet called "Somerset Things to See & Do".

Holes are punched through the parts of the ticket as they are used. A leaflet we were given with the ticket said, "Any unused part of your ticket remains valid for 10 years."

Some people seemed to have paid for parking separately, but when we bought our Explorer Ticket at the main car park, we also got a parking ticket to display in the car window.

** Shops **

I expected the shops to be expensive in this international 'tourist trap', some were, but perhaps because of the time of the year we visited, some shops had very reasonably priced souvenirs. For example, I saw Cheddar Tea Towels for £1.50, and the official A4 sized glossy official souvenir guides were £1.99.

Refreshment outlets range from those selling traditional cream teas, fish and chips, and pub grub to foreign foods. When we arrived, I noticed in the main car park that there was an ice cream shop, and promised myself one before we went home. I thought it would be a good treat after an unusual amount of exercise for me. But when we returned in had shut. Early closing of some of the facilities is a draw back of going out of peak season.

You can buy cheddar cheese that is actually made in Cheddar at The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company Shop. The method has now been copied and used in many parts of the world. This Cheese Company advertise that you can watch the cheese being made, but we didn't make further enquires about this. I had a quick look in the shop, where you can taste free samples of the cheese, but I wasn't prepared to pay over the supermarket price for it, so they didn't get a sale from me. Others with a more discerning palette than mine may well be impressed though.

** Conclusion **

If you are reasonably fit and want to visit just one set of caves in Somerset, I would recommend Wooky Hole Caves. I visited these while I was still in good health.

Cheddar's Caves are much more commercialised, but the access is easier, so more likely to be suitable to those with minor disabilities, such as mild arthritis and low levels of fitness. I saw a lot of determined visitors using walking aids, apparently enjoying their day out, at their own pace.

Whichever caves you visit go properly dressed. Remember that the temperature underground stays constant, irrespective of the outside weather. It is about 7 degrees Celsius in Cheddar Caves. Non-slip footwear is essential, as these limestone caves are created by water and the ground will be damp or wet.

** Contact Details **

Cheddar Caves & Gorge, Cheddar Somerset, BS27 3QF
Tel: 01934 742343
Email: caves@visitcheddar.co.uk
Website: http://www.cheddarcaves.co.uk/

The Caves should be open every day except Christmas Eve and Day.
July to August opening times are 10.00 am to 5.30 pm
September to June is 10.30 am to 5.00 pm.
Last entries are half an hour before closing.

 

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