Mendip Hills; Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the UK; it is 400 ft (122m) deep and 3 miles long; there are various individual show caves here, but they are closed at the moment as it is not possible to have a one-way system through them.  The Gorge is a very popular walking area as there is a lovely circular walk which takes in both sides.

We start at the National Trust booth in Cheddar Village, going uphill initially and then heading east on the well-trodden path.  There are good views as we move along it before we turn downhill to the Black Hill Nature Reserve and cross the B1315 (aka the cliff road) to walk west back down the other side of the gorge.  There are even better views here, especially of the Cheddar Reservoir, at the Pulpit Rock.  We head back to Cheddar via the steep steps of Jacob's Ladder next to Pavey's Lookout Tower.Read more