Places to visit

Cheddar is often used as an overnight stop by people on their way to a holiday in Cornwall and Devon, but the whole Somerset area is a great holiday destination in its own right and too often overlooked when zipping through on the M5.

For most people in the UK, driving all the way down to Devon and Cornwall resorts takes two or three hours longer each way than just going to Somerset.

In Cheddar itself:

Cheddar Gorge and Caves 01934 742343.
Gough’s Cave, Cox’s Cave, the Crystal Quest, Jacob’s Ladder, the Clifftop Walk, “Cheddar Man and the Cannibals” exhibition and the open-top bus ride through the gorge. Everything on the right (south side) as you walk up the Gorge is part of the Longleat Estate, along with the Cox’s Mill and “Cannibals” buildings, and the land in the gorge on the north side is National Trust.

The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company 01934 742810.
Visit the dairy to see how Cheddar Cheese is made the traditional way, try and buy different varieties from the shop. Click here to hear an audio interview with John Spencer of the Cheese Company (link goes to “Here on Earth” Radio)

Plus many other smaller attractions such as:

Cheddar Crazy Golf – a challenging 18 hole course
See sweets being made at the Cheddar Sweet Kitchen
The Gorge Bear Company - a huge selection of teddy bears and soft toys
South West Karting at Winchester Farm, kart and minimoto racing and also the venue for the enormous car boot sale every Sunday from 9am.

PARKINGParking in Cheddar is operated either by the local council or by Cheddar Caves and Gorge. The main car parks are shown on the map. Most streets in the village are yellow-lined (double yellow in many cases), enforced by local police officers and PCSOs. Parking for coaches is provided close to the entrance to the caves.

View Cheddar – car parking in a larger map

You can also use Cheddar as a base for touring the local area. Here are six ideas for great days out, offering something for everyone for a week’s holiday – and this excludes a day spent in Cheddar!