Cheddar Gorge: A Journey to Britain's Dramatic Limestone Wonderland and the Home of Real Cheddar

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Updated: October 2025

Carved by glacial meltwater during the last Ice Age, Cheddar Gorge rises dramatically from the Somerset countryside, a mile-long ravine where sheer limestone cliffs tower 450 feet above a winding road. This isn’t just a geological marvel, it’s a place where human history stretches back millennia, where wild goats cling to impossible ledges, and where Britain’s most famous cheese is still made in the shadow of ancient caves.

The approach to Cheddar Gorge feels like entering another world. As you navigate the serpentine road cutting through the Mendip Hills, limestone walls close in on either side, their pale surfaces pockmarked with cave entrances and softened by patches of wildflowers. Soay sheep, a primitive breed that’s roamed these hills for centuries, graze on impossibly steep slopes alongside sure-footed wild goats.

A Landscape Shaped by Ice and Time

The gorge itself is a masterpiece of natural engineering. During the Ice Age, torrents of meltwater carved this spectacular canyon through Carboniferous limestone laid down 340 million years ago. The result is Britain’s largest gorge and one of its most dramatic natural landmarks. Above the cliffs, the green plateau of Mendip Hills offers extensive walking trails with panoramic views across Somerset. On clear days, you can see as far as the Bristol Channel and Wales beyond.

Cheddar Man: The oldest Briton

Cheddar Man- The dark-skinned original Briton

The caves honeycombing Cheddar’s cliffs have sheltered humans for at least 40,000 years. In 1903, one cave yielded an extraordinary discovery, the complete skeleton of a man who died around 7,100 BC, making him the oldest complete human skeleton found in Britain. Named “Cheddar Man,” scientific analysis in 2018 revealed he had dark skin, blue eyes, and dark curly hair, challenging assumptions about the appearance of Britain’s earliest inhabitants.

Today, Gough’s Cave and Cox’s Cave, owned by the Longleat Estate, are open to visitors. Explore cathedral-like chambers adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, walk passages where Palaeolithic hunters once sheltered, and see a reconstruction of Cheddar Man based on DNA analysis.

The constant temperature and 100% humidity of these caves would later prove perfect for another purpose entirely, ageing cheese.

Visiting the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company

In the middle of this scenic town, you will find the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company. Their award-winning Cheddar is made on site in their cheese factory behind the shop. You can visit and watch them hand-make authentic cheddar cheese in their cheese factory. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is the only company that makes Cheddar Cheese in Cheddar Gorge and the only one that matures its cheese in the Cheddar Gorge caves.

Started about 15 years ago by husband and wife team, they have been quietly perfecting their artisan cheddar cheese here to the delight of their local customers. You can book your cheese tasting experience here.

Maturing cheese in Cheddar Gorge Caves with John the Cheese Maker

Some of their premium cheese is matured in the Cheddar Gorge caves. Maturing cheese in caves is an age-old practice that has been used by traditional cheese makers for centuries. The 100% humidity and regular temperature of a cave are perfect for maturing cheddar cheese. The environment helps the cheese to mature evenly and enhances the flavour profile.

Besides the regular cheddar cheese, they make a few other variations too. You have a choice of Oak Smoked Cheddar (smoked with liquid smoke) or even Blue Cheddar, which was originally an accident but is now a really popular choice by itself. It is quite a mild blue cheese and being a cheddar has an interesting hard cheese texture. It is definitely one to try.

Tasting Cheddar Gorge Company’s cheeses

After watching how their clothbound authentic cheeses were made, we had a chance to taste a variety of the cheeses they produce.

How to Get There
By Car: Cheddar is easily accessible from the M5 motorway. From Junction 22, follow the A38 south toward Bridgwater, then take the A371 for 7 miles to Cheddar.
The drive from Bristol takes approximately 45 minutes, from Bath about 50 minutes. Parking is available in the village centre and at the gorge itself, though it fills quickly on summer weekends.

By Public Transport: Cheddar is served by buses from Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Wells, and Bath. The 126 bus runs regularly from Bristol (about 90 minutes), while the 668/670 connects Cheddar with Wells and Weston-super-Mare. There’s no train station in Cheddar. The nearest is Weston-super-Mare (8 miles away), from where you can catch a bus.

By Bicycle: The National Cycle Network Route 3 (Strawberry Line) passes near Cheddar, making it accessible for cyclists. The traffic-free path follows a former railway line from Yatton through the Mendips. It’s a beautiful ride through the Somerset countryside, though the hills require reasonable fitness.

Where to Stay near Cheddar Gorge

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The Bath Arms Hotel at Longleat (15 minutes away): If you’re exploring both Cheddar and the famous Longleat Estate, this elegant country inn offers comfortable rooms, excellent food, and easy access to both attractions. The building itself is historic, with beamed ceilings and fireplaces, but the rooms are modernised. Click here to check availability.

Gordons Bed and Breakfast, Cheddar: Right in the village centre, this family-run B&B offers cosy rooms, free parking and a warm welcome. There are 12 rooms, including a four poster bed and you can walk to the gorge and the caves in minutes. In the warmer months, they have an outdoor pool. Click here to check availability.

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa: For something more indulgent, these self-catering lodges set in woodland offer hot tubs, spa facilities, and plenty of space. Perfect for families or groups wanting a longer stay to explore the Mendips properly. Click here to check availability.

The Swan Hotel, Wells (20 minutes away): Alternatively, base yourself in the beautiful cathedral city of Wells and make day trips to Cheddar. The Swan is a coaching inn facing the cathedral’s west front—characterful, comfortable, and right in the heart of this stunning small city. Click here to check availability.

Local B&Bs: Cheddar has numerous bed and breakfasts offering good value, home-cooked breakfasts, and local insight. Try Cheddar Bridge House or Riverside House, both well-reviewed and close to the action. Click here to check availability.

Things to Do Beyond Cheese

Walk the Gorge: The Gorge Walk follows a path along the clifftop with spectacular views down into the ravine. It’s about 3 miles round trip and moderately strenuous, with some steep sections and steps (the famous 274-step Jacob’s Ladder gets you to the top). Your reward: panoramic views across Somerset’s levels to the Bristol Channel.

Explore More Caves: Beyond the show caves, the Mendips are riddled with cave systems. Experienced cavers can arrange guided trips into undeveloped caves through local outdoor centres, an unforgettable experience crawling through narrow passages into vast underground chambers.

Visit Nearby Wells: Just 9 miles away, Wells is England’s smallest city, with a stunning Gothic cathedral, a medieval bishop’s palace surrounded by a moat (complete with swans trained to ring a bell for food), and charming streets perfect for wandering. The twice-weekly market is excellent for local produce.

Wookey Hole Caves: This is another impressive cave system just outside Wells, Wookey Hole offers a different experience from Cheddar. Underground rivers, the legend of the Witch of Wookey Hole, and above-ground attractions, including vintage penny arcades and paper-making demonstrations. You can take a tour of the Wookey Hole Caves here. Cycle the Strawberry Line: This 10-mile traffic-free path along a disused railway line from Yatton to Cheddar passes through quintessential Somerset countryside. It’s flat or gently undulating until you approach Cheddar itself, ideal for families.
Sample Somerset Cider: Somerset is England’s cider heartland. Visit local producers like Wilkins Cider Farm (traditional farmhouse cider made in barns using vintage equipment) or The Cider Barn at Wedmore (modern craft ciders with a taproom). Many offer tastings and tours.
Glastonbury: Just 20 minutes away, the mystical town of Glastonbury offers a completely different atmosphere, alternative shops, the atmospheric ruined Glastonbury Abbey, the magical Chalice Well where you can drink the water and Glastonbury Tor with its iconic tower visible for miles. Climb the tor at sunset for an unforgettable experience.

The best way to do this is with a tour that combines Glastonbury, Avebury and the surrounding areas. Here are some tour ideas:

Making the Most of Your Visit

Time your visit to the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company for mid-morning on a weekday if possible. You’ll see cheesemaking in full operation and have the staff’s attention for questions. Weekends are busier but still worthwhile. The cheese shop is open daily, but call ahead to confirm cheesemaking times if watching the process is important to you.

Combine your cheese pilgrimage with a cave visit and a clifftop walk for a full day. Pack a picnic featuring your newly purchased Cheddar, local ham, and crusty bread from one of Cheddar’s bakeries, and find a spot on the gorge rim with views across the Somerset Levels.

Cheddar Gorge offers something rare, a place where spectacular natural beauty, early human history, and living culinary tradition converge. It’s a working landscape where cheese is still made as it should be, in the place that gave it to the world.

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