Virtual tour panorama showing a view over Cheddar Gorge, taken from near the highest point on the walk along the south side of the gorge. Picture taken in April 2011 on a clear and sunny day. As well as the dramatic views, you can also see other walkers.

Cheddar Gorge - Clifftop View - Cheddar visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Cheddar Gorge - Clifftop View' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Somerset.

Cheddar Gorge is a very popular, natural tourist attraction near to Cheddar in Somerset. Formed by melt water between the ice ages, it is the longest gorge in the UK, cutting deep into the limestone hills forming cliffs up to 450 feet high. Because of this, climbing in Cheddar Gorge is a very popular pass time.

Cheddar Gorge is also the location of the oldest Neolithic human remains in England, a 9,000 year old skeleton named 'Cheddar Man'. The hills also contain many caves, the most famous of which is the Gough Cave showcave, now a paid tourist attraction within the gorge.

From the top of the cliffs on the south side there are stunning panoramic views for miles in all directions, especially to the west beyond Cheddar itself.

Cheddar Gorge - Tourist Attractions

All the paid attractions, found near the Cheddar town end of Cheddar Gorge, are all managed by Cheddar Caves & Gorge. These attractions are covered by one entrance ticket and include access to:

• Gough's Cave - showcaves with various stalactite and stalagmite formations and housing Greater and Lesser horseshoe bats.
• Cheddar Man – Museum of Prehistory with remains of various cave finds.
• Cox's Cave & The Crystal Quest - with various entertaining exhibits not of caving origin.
• Open-top Gorge Tour Bus - taking visitors on 2-mile round trip up and down Cheddar Gorge.
• 274 Steps to the Lookout Tower - access to the lookout tower at the top of 'Jacobs Ladder' steps.
• Cheddar Gorge Cliff-top Trail - 3 mile trail along the top of the gorge with stunning views over the surrounding area.
• Caving and Climbing - provided for an extra fee in addition to the usual ticket.

Land on the north side of Cheddar Gorge is managed and owned by the National Trust, and access is free. Climbing in the gorge is also free, but various restrictions apply, and climbers must check with the Cheddar Tourist Information Centre for details. Within the west end of Cheddar Gorge are various shops and cafes and the famous Cheddar Cheese shop.

Cheddar Tourist Information Centre
The Gorge,
Cheddar,
Somerset BS27 3QE
Phone: +44 (0)1934 744071

Car: Cheddar Gorge is about a mile from Cheddar on the B3135. It is 20 miles south of Bristol, 13 miles east of Weston-super-Mare and 25 miles west of Bath.
Train: Weston-super-Mare Rail Station
Flight: Bristol International Airport