Page 123 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

DORSE T AND SOMERSE T  121

s Cheddar Gorge VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

Described as a “deep frightful chasm” by novelist Daniel Practical Information
Defoe in 1724, Cheddar Gorge is a spectacular ravine cut On B3135, Somerset. Map E4.
Caves & Gorge: Tel 01934 742343.
through the Mendip plateau by fast-flowing streams during Open 10am–5pm daily. Closed 24
the interglacial phases of the last Ice Age. Cheddar has given & 25 Dec. & entry with a Gorge
its name to a rich cheese that originates from here and is & Caves day ticket only. 8 9
now produced worldwide. The caves in the gorge provide 7 only for museum. 0 -
= ∑ cheddargorge.co.uk
the perfect environment of constant temperature and Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company:
high humidity for storing and maturing the cheese. The Cliffs. Tel 01934 742810.
Open 10am–3:15pm daily. &
7 - = ∑ cheddargorge
The B3135 road winds cheeseco.co.uk
round the base of the
5-km (3-mile) gorge. Transport
@ from Weston-super-Mare
and Wells.
Cheddar Pink
This rare plant is among the astonishing
range of plant and animal life that
flourishes in the rocks.
A footpath follows the top of
the gorge on its southern edge.

“Cheddar Man”
This famous 9,000-
year-old skeleton is on
display at the Museum
of Prehistory, which
looks at the prehistoric
world of our ancestors.
The Gorge
This narrow, winding ravine Gough’s Cave is
with limestone rocks rises noted for its cathedral-
almost vertically on either side like proportions.
to a height of 140 m (460 ft).
Cox’s Cave contains
unusually shaped stalactites
and stalagmites.

A flight of 274 steps leads
to the top of the gorge.
Cheddar Gorge
Cheese Company
This is the only working Cheddar The Lookout Tower
dairy in Cheddar. Visitors can see has far-reaching views
over the area to the
Cheddar being made, and taste south and west.
and buy cheese in the store.

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