Cheddar Gorge and Caves Verified listing

Cheddar Gorge is not only one of Britain's most spectacular natural landmarks, but also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and part of the newly formed Mendip Hills National Landscape

The Gorge boasts awe-inspiring cliffs and extraordinary subterranean stalactite show caves, plus many fascinating secrets about our prehistoric ancestors. It is also an international centre for caving and rock climbing.

Home to a beautiful mosaic landscape, along with two of Britain’s oldest showcaves, this is England's largest gorge. With spectacular Pinnacles and beautiful caves, it truly is a natural gem just waiting to be discovered.

Gough's Cave
Get ready to explore the mysterious chambers of a cave that’s over 500,000 years old! Duck into secret caverns, see the ancient elders’ meeting chamber, and prepare to be amazed at the incredible vistas created by stalagmites and stalactites.

Cheddar Man and Gough's Cave
Our ancestors, the Horse Hunters of Cheddar Gorge, lived in Gough’s Cave 14,700 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age. Archaeological evidence suggests they may have been cannibals, killing and eating their enemies!

Cox's Cave
This spectacular immersive multimedia experience tells the captivating story of how our iconic caves were formed and evolved through the ‘Power of Water’. The caves were created over hundreds of millions of years and Yeo is the river that flows through them.

As you walk through Cox’s Cave, your virtual guide ‘Yeo’ takes you on a journey through time where you will be immersed in a fascinating adventure that celebrates one of Britain’s natural wonders.

Museum of Prehistory
With a history stretching back over hundreds of thousands of years, many artefacts of great historical importance that shed invaluable light on our ancestors and how they lived have been found in Cheddar Gorge and it's caves.

Escape Rooms at Cheddar
Do you have what it takes to escape?

Cheddar Gorge & Caves have two Cheddar-themed escape rooms that will test your brain power as you race against the clock to try and escape from some sticky situations. So what do you think, can you make it out in time?

The Vault
You have been transported back to the Victorian era, trapped in the very house that Richard Gough, discoverer of Gough’s Cave, lived. The only way out is through his secret vault, but first you have to find it.

Caved In
You are on a caving expedition searching for Pavey’s lost cave that has gone uncharted for decades, when you become trapped. Legend has it that Pavey left something behind and you must find it as it’s the key to your escape.

Jacob's Ladder and the Lookout Tower
Excess energy? You’ll soon burn that off climbing the 274 steps which make up Jacob’s Ladder, and there are 48 more to get to the top of our unique Lookout Tower.

The climb is well worth the effort. You’ll be rewarded with magnificent views of the Mendips and beyond.

Rock Sport Activities

Black Cat Freefall
Our dedicated instructors will get you kitted out before heading through Gough’s Cave and into the Black Cat Chamber; named by the cave’s discoverer, Richard Gough, after one of his son's placed a work light on the floor and a mysterious silhouette of a cat was seen on the wall!

The Black Cat Freefall is the time to muster your courage to climb the 30ft ladder and get ready to jump (but don’t worry, you’ll be attached to a safety line at all times). Watch the floor approach or the roof disappear as you take a leap of faith and enjoy an exhilarating free fall before you are held and lowered safely back to the ground.

Rock Climbing
So you’ve seen the awe-inspiring cliff faces of Cheddar Gorge, stretching to a height of over 450ft, but can you imagine climbing them? That’s exactly what you will be doing on a rock climbing experience.

Our experienced instructors will be on hand to show you the ropes (literally!) and, whatever your ability, have you climbing like a pro in no time. You’ll be led past admiring onlookers to the base of one of our 50ft high outdoor climbing walls, before it's time to begin the adventure.

Adventure Caving
This is the perfect way to experience Cheddar from a whole different perspective! After all, Cheddar’s not just spectacular on the surface, it’s spectacular underground as well. Suitable for all ability levels, we’ll have you exploring subterranean caverns in no time.

Cheddar Gorge Climbs for BMC Members
Cheddar Gorge is a great place for experienced climbers to come and test their skills! You can choose from over 1,000 amazing routes from the easy through to the tough, all of which boast unparalleled views of the Cheddar landscape.

Gough's Cafe
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.

Cliff-top walk
Stretch your legs and get close to nature! This spectacular walk takes you round a 3 mile route, up one side of the gorge and back down the other, and rewards walkers with some of the finest views in Somerset. On a clear day, elevated over 900ft above sea-level, you can see for miles across the Mendip Hills.