The backdrop to the village is the natural phenomenon of Britain’s largest Gorge, but there is plenty more on offer.
The caves
Explore Gough’s cave, which is more than 500,000 years old. Duck into secret caverns, see the ancient elders’ meeting chamber, and stare at the beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.
Gough’s cave is the largest of show cave and an audio guide explaining the history behind it, and the other caves, brings it to life.
Don’t forget about Cheddar Man, a hunter-gatherer who lived around 10,000 years ago. A recreation of his skeleton, the oldest complete skeleton ever found in Britain, is in the caves. It’s thought that his tribe buried him in a special area of the cave to prevent his spirit passing to the land of the ancestors.
Say cheese
The village is of course famous for its cheese.
Cheddar Gorge Cheese company still makes it on site and you can even book a VIP cheese tour where you can discover the history behind Cheddar village and it’s world famous cheese, watch cheese makers in action and visit a maturing store. Of course no visit would be complete without a cheese tasting session.
Passers-by can pop into the shop during opening hours and try lots of different flavours of cheese, including tomato and red onion or port.
The gorge
Cheddar Gorge is a famous and eye-catching natural landmark, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. 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.
It’s Christmas all-year-round
Once a gift shop with a Christmas ‘corner’, Old Rowlands in Cheddar is now a full-blown year-round Christmas shop and will soon offer accommodation to match.
Christmas lovers will love a trip the holiday cottage above the shop, which is decorated for the festive season all year.
Bellissimo!
A taste of Italy has come to Cheddar in the shape of La Rocca. With its open kitchen and top class food and atmosphere, it is well worth a visit.
From mixed antipasti plates to field mushrooms and goats cheese bruschetta and risottos and pizza and pasta dishes, there is for every diner. Or why not try the seabass, fillet steak or chicken cooked in dolcelatte cheese.
