Animals and Nature

Attractions

Cheddar Gorge & Caves

The Cliffs, Cheddar, BS27 3QF

Description

Cheddar Gorge & Caves boasts extraordinary subterranean show caves, awe-inspiring cliffs and holds many fascinating secrets about our prehistoric ancestors.

Cheddar Gorge & Caves
Our Day Ticket gives access to six great attractions:

Gough’s Cave: Prepare to be amazed by our stunning show cave featuring spectacular stalagmite and stalactite formations created over 500,000 years ago! See cheddar cheese maturing in the caves, view the site where Cheddar Man’s 10,000-year-old skeleton was discovered and learn about the extraordinary DNA discovery. A free audio guide is available in six languages, and there is also a special version for children.

Cox’s Cave featuring Yeo’s Journey: The Power of Water. This spectacular immersive multimedia experience tells the captivating story of how our iconic caves were formed and evolved through the ‘Power of Water’. The story is brought to life using state-of-the-art animation, sound, lighting and colour.

Beyond the View:  Take a seat in front of our state of the art 270-degree screen. Discover historic tales, enjoy breathtaking aerial panoramic views, and learn about the special wildlife and plants that call the gorge home.
Museum of Pre-History:  Discover amazing artefacts unearthed in the Cheddar area that help tell the story of how people lived thousands of years ago.

Jacob’s Ladder & The Lookout Tower: Venture up the 274 steps to the top of the gorge with rest stops along the route to admire the view. Marvel at the panoramic views and mosaic of landscapes across the Mendips and Somerset Levels.

Cliff­ -Top Walk: Hike the 3-mile loop around the gorge. Look out for the wildlife and enjoy the stunning scenery. If you don’t have time to do the full circuit, you can go for a shorter walk up to the Pulpit Rock look out point, and head back down the ladder.
 
Gough’s Café
Sit back, relax, and take in the beauty of the gorge at Gough’s Cafe, close to the entrance of Gough's Cave.
Enjoy a thirst-quenching chilled drink, warm yourself up with a hot beverage or choose from a selection of alcoholic drinks. Serving light lunches, delicious snacks, cream teas and delicious cake, to include vegetarian and vegan options.

Enjoy the spectacular views from the comfort of our air-conditioned cafe or relax on the large patio where dogs are welcome. We even have a welcome bowl of water for our doggy friends.
Our small play area for under 2-year-olds will keep the little ones entertained too!

Accessibility
Cheddar Gorge & Caves provides accessible toilets, free parking for blue badge holders and free admission for carers accompanied by a full paying visitor. The audio tour of Gough's cave is printed in braille. Assistance Dogs are permitted, and the museum is wheelchair accessible with lift. Those with severely restricted mobility or who are wheelchair dependent will find areas of Cheddar Gorge & Caves inaccessible. If you have any questions prior to your visit, please email Guest Services on info@cheddargorge.co.uk or call 01934 742343.

Dog-Friendly
Dogs are welcome in all attractions and water bowls are provided in the cave entrances, shop and café patio.

Family and Children
Cheddar Gorge & Cave is family friendly. We have baby changing facilities, buggy parking and are breast-feeding friendly. Gough’s café has a small play area for under two year olds, water refills and highchairs are available. Entry is free for children under the age of 5 years.

Groups
Cheddar Gorge & Caves has special group rates, coach parking and drop off points for group tours. 
We offer discounted exclusive group sessions for Rocksport adventure activities – adventure caving, rock climbing and freefall.

Special Events
We have a fantastic programme of events throughout the year to keep the whole family entertained, including the school holidays. Visit our What’s On page for more details.

Thirst for adventure or a puzzle-solving mind?

Rocksport: Imagine climbing the gorge rockface in the shadow of the 450ft cliffs, caving deep underground or taking part in our exhilarating Blackcat freefall in Gough’s Cave. Suitable for all abilities. Sessions available for adults and children aged 8 years and over.

Escape Rooms: Up for a challenge? Our two Cheddar-themed rooms, Caved In and The Vault will test your brain power as you race against the clock to try to escape. Double the fun with our Ultimate Escape combo ticket at a discounted rate. Suitable for 12 years and over in groups of up to six people.

Nature, wildlife, history, adventure - experience the wonder on an all-season day out in Somerset. For more information on how to plan your day at Cheddar Gorge & Caves and to book please visit www.cheddargorge.co.uk

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Opening Hours

Open (1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2024)

Open daily from 10am to 5pm (10am to 6pm at weekends in the summer holidays) (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day with selected close dates during the winter months). Last entry into all Cheddar Gorge and Cave attractions is 4.30pm (5.30pm at weekends in the summer holidays).
 

Pricing



 

Facilities

ACCESSIBILITY

    CATERING

      CHILDREN & INFANTS

        ESTABLISHMENT FEATURES

          KEY FEATURES

            LANGUAGES SPOKEN

              PARKING & TRANSPORT

                PAYMENT METHODS

                  PET INFORMATION

                    ROOM & UNIT FEATURES

                      SPECIALIST FEATURES

                        TOURS & DEMONSTRATIONS

                          TRAVEL & TRADE

                            • Accept children all ages

                            • Accept coach parties

                            • American Express accepted

                            • Audio Commentary in Foreign Languages

                            • Blue Badge Guides admitted free

                            • Café

                            • Cafes/Licensed Family Restaurants/Refreshments

                            • Car parking

                            • Car Parks

                            • Cash accepted

                            • Child seat available

                            • Chinese audio guide

                            • Coach parking

                            • Conference facilities

                            • Delta accepted

                            • Demonstrations Given

                            • Diners Club accepted

                            • Dogs Accepted

                            • Educational Visits Accepted

                            • Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors

                            • French audio guide

                            • French printed material

                            • German audio guide

                            • German printed material

                            • Groups accepted

                            • Guide dogs permitted

                            • Guided Tours Available for Groups

                            • In countryside

                            • Indoor Attraction

                            • Maestro accepted

                            • Marketed towards children

                            • Marketed towards families

                            • Marketed towards senior citizens

                            • Marketed towards student/youth

                            • MasterCard accepted

                            • Min group size

                            • On site parking

                            • On-Site café/restaurant

                            • Open All Year

                            • Open by appointment outside normal opening times

                            • Outdoor Attraction

                            • Parking (charge)

                            • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors

                            • Picnic Site

                            • Printed Material in Foreign Languages

                            • Solo accepted

                            • Spanish printed material

                            • Special group rates

                            • TIC Staff Admitted Free

                            • Toilets

                            • Toilets for disabled visitors

                            • Village Location

                            • Visa accepted

                            Road Directions

                            Nearest motorway is M5. Leave motorway at junction 22 and at roundabout take 3rd exit (A38 north) signposted Cheddar Caves. Follow brown signs to A38 junction with A371, turning right onto A371 follow road to Cheddar outskirts and, at BP petrol station, turn onto B3135 to Cheddar Gorge. From Bristol take A38. From Bath take A39 then B3135.

                            Contact

                            Cheddar Gorge & Caves
                            The Cliffs
                            Cheddar
                            Somerset
                            BS27 3QF
                            United Kingdom


                            T: 01934 742343

                            E: info@cheddargorge.co.uk

                            W: cheddargorge.co.uk

                            Facebook: @cheddargorgeandcaves

                            Twitter: @CheddarGorge_



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