The natural wonders of Britain: Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

Discover Britain’s beautiful natural wonders, from remarkable cliffs to stunning stalactite caverns.

In this blog, we will tell you all about the natural wonder of Somerset, Cheddar Gorge.

When you want to take a break from the city and immerse yourself in nature, why not plan a visit to the legendary Cheddar Gorge. Rising up 450ft in the air, with numerous hidden caves and stunning stalactite caverns below, discover the true beauty of Britain’s biggest gorge.

Fun Facts! This spectacular landscape was formed by the ice age melt-water from over 1.2 million years ago. During the arctic episodes, permafrost was formed, blocking the caves with ice and frozen mud. As the snowmelt flooded on the surface during the brief summers, the gorge was slowly being carved out. Each successive periglacial period caused further erosion. During the warmer interglacial periods, drainage was underground, creating the caves and leaving the gorge dry.

Other than viewing the beautiful Gorge, there are plenty activities to do as a family or individual. The Gorge has some great attractions such as: the Gough’s Cave, where you can find Britain’s most beautiful stalactite caverns; the 9000 year old Cheddar Man; and the Cox’s Cave, filled with countless colourful calcite sculptures. With so much to do, the Gorge will guarantee you a fun filled adventure.

Want to get a bit more exercise in while enjoying a view? Try climbing the 274 steps up the side of Cheddar Gorge and the 48 more steps to reach the top of the Lookout Tower. It may seem like a lot of steps, but the view is well worth the climb; and there are four landing stages where you can rest and catch your breath. If you prefer something more extreme, check out the Adventure Caving and Rock Climbing provided at Cheddar Gorge.

Maximise your holiday experience at the Gorge by staying at one of our Best Loved hotels. Whether it’s the twelve century old Castle at Taunton, where ancient atmosphere meets stylish new restaurant, or the elegant Georgian

Farthings Hotel and Restaurant, where you’ll find peace and relaxation in the lovely Somerset village. Both hotels are less than an hour away from Cheddar Gorge and provide the perfect rest stop for you and your family.

Stay tuned for our next ‘Natural Wonders’ blog where we will tell you all about the natural wonder of Giant’s Causeway, Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Panoramic Gorge image by Rob Young, Green Gorge image by Sam Saunders and Gorge Cave image by Craig Chew-Moulding.