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Original poster

Two nights/three days in Cheddar

40 replies

HelpsHeal · 06/04/2023 16:34

I'm going with teen DS, we share an interest in Geology and hiking and very little else

Two half days and a full day, what would your itinerary be?

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 06/04/2023 16:37

Get out of Cheddar after half a day. Seriously there's not much more than shops selling tourist tat.

Original poster
HelpsHeal · 06/04/2023 16:46

MrsMoastyToasty · 06/04/2023 16:37

Get out of Cheddar after half a day. Seriously there's not much more than shops selling tourist tat.

I know, but DS wanted to see Cheddar Gorge. I should have done more research, presumably Cheddar Gorge is near Cheddar?!

And caves? I think there are several possibilities all quite commercialised, but is there a best option?

OP posts:
thegrain · 06/04/2023 16:48

Cheese shop
Keilve beach has fossils
Bristol

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thegrain · 06/04/2023 16:48

HelpsHeal · 06/04/2023 16:46

I know, but DS wanted to see Cheddar Gorge. I should have done more research, presumably Cheddar Gorge is near Cheddar?!

And caves? I think there are several possibilities all quite commercialised, but is there a best option?

Show quote history

Wooky hole caves is the main caves

MrsMoastyToasty · 06/04/2023 16:57

Cheddar Gorge is the main way into the village from the north and is a steep and twisting road.

We live near Bristol and we occasionally pop down for the afternoon and it's plenty of time. I don't know what accommodation is like in the area but I suppose that you could use it as a base to explore further afield.

Theraffarian · 06/04/2023 17:01

I think Cheddar Gorge walk is lovely , if you’re used to walking then it’s about 2 hours up and over , but well worth it . Maybe if it’s a good day take a picnic up and make a day of it . I’m going back soon to walk it again . I also like the shops there , yes touristy , but there were some unusual bits amongst them last year , I’m hoping to pick up a new green man for my garden this time . Prices were reasonable , as well as parking in the valley .

20 mins from Wells , I like Bishops Gardens , and I’m also a sucker for Glastonbury bout 30 mins. That’s a bit marmite on here I know , but worth a short early morning walk up the Tor if you are that close .

The Litton near wells is a good pick for dinner too .

Theraffarian · 06/04/2023 17:02

Oh and the caves , we haven’t done for years since the children were young I’m afraid.

Fuckitydoodah · 06/04/2023 17:06

From memory, there are 2 caves in cheddar. One contains visuals of early man and a sort of educational walk through. They're not particularly big. Wookey Hole caves are more impressive, I think they're about 30 min drive away.

There will be plenty of walks nearby. Glastonbury also isn't that far away.

I think you'll find enough to do in the area if you have transport.

Original poster
HelpsHeal · 06/04/2023 17:06

Theraffarian · 06/04/2023 17:01

I think Cheddar Gorge walk is lovely , if you’re used to walking then it’s about 2 hours up and over , but well worth it . Maybe if it’s a good day take a picnic up and make a day of it . I’m going back soon to walk it again . I also like the shops there , yes touristy , but there were some unusual bits amongst them last year , I’m hoping to pick up a new green man for my garden this time . Prices were reasonable , as well as parking in the valley .

20 mins from Wells , I like Bishops Gardens , and I’m also a sucker for Glastonbury bout 30 mins. That’s a bit marmite on here I know , but worth a short early morning walk up the Tor if you are that close .

The Litton near wells is a good pick for dinner too .

When you say Cheddar Gorge walk, is there one particular walking route? What do I need to be able to find it?

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 06/04/2023 17:07

Cheddar gorge walk is lovely, takes about 2 hours.

Wells is lovely for a wander.

Glastonbury is unusual (it’s like Marmite) so worth a wander and a walk up the tor is always lovely.

Bristol and Bath a bit further afield but both nice.

Lj8893 · 06/04/2023 17:07

Wookey hole caves are good fun.

Original poster
HelpsHeal · 06/04/2023 17:08

I was thinking caves on the afternoon we arrive and walking the rest of the time. Wasn't planning to do much in Cheddar itself except eat and sleep. We've booked into a pub that Trip Advisor thinks highly of!

OP posts:
VioletCharlotte · 06/04/2023 17:10

My DC really enjoyed Cheddar when we went there. I think we were there all day, we went round the caves, looked in all the shops, climbed Jacobs Ladder.

Wokey Hole caves are good too, and there's other stuff there as well as the caves (the old fashioned amusement went down well with my DC!)

I love Glastonbury, but I know some people really dislike it! If your DS is into crystals and anything alternative, then they'll like it! We enjoyed climbing the Tor, the view from the top is amazing!

Theraffarian · 06/04/2023 17:12

HelpsHeal · 06/04/2023 17:06

When you say Cheddar Gorge walk, is there one particular walking route? What do I need to be able to find it?

Show quote history

There are various ways to do it , but if you start opposite the information centre and go up and over the first side , across the road and up and over the second side you end with a free walk down jacobs ladder.
If you google it you will find a few map ideas which you can follow , but it’s a fairly straightforward walk , bit hard going in places , and definitely walking boots if you have them , although we saw plenty of people trying it on a muddy day in trainers too.
You can go off track and extend the route as and how you want .

Theimpossiblegirl · 06/04/2023 17:19

It's a nice area. Cheddar Gorge is nice for a visit, as is Glastonbury. There are lovely walks in the area and lots of attractions/touristy things.

Bristol is great for a day too, the Banksy trail, museum, shops, st Nicholas market etc.

Theimpossiblegirl · 06/04/2023 17:20

The Jacob's Ladder walk is a good one too.
What pub are you going to? There are several lovely ones in the locality.

Original poster
HelpsHeal · 06/04/2023 17:20

DS is at Uni in Bristol, we're taking the scenic route when he goes back after the Easter break.

OP posts:
MMBaranova · 06/04/2023 17:33

If you want to hike go up on the Mendip Hills. Look on an Ordnance Survey map (if you don’t have an app or a paper one go on Bing maps and select OS). I have fond memories of walking there back when I was going out with Cave Man some years ago.

Cheddar? Might avoid over Easter weekend. There are commercial caves you can visit at Cheddar itself and Wookey. If you are a limestone cave enthusiast do both. Can’t say they thrilled me but Cave Man got excited. If you are doing Wookey, Wells is next door. I’d rather see the Cathedral there.

The whole Mendip area is compact. Getting up on the hills is easy,

Mumof1andacat · 06/04/2023 18:08

We went to cheddar gorge caves last year. We spent I would say 4-5 hours there. There are the 2 caves, cave history museum and a film to watch. You can also climb Jacobs ladder and then join the walking routes around the gorge but we didn't. Cheddar gorge village (the shops in gorge) is quite nice. A few shops and little places for lunch. We took a picnic. There is a nice christmas decorations shop.

Original poster
HelpsHeal · 06/04/2023 18:11

Mumof1andacat · 06/04/2023 18:08

We went to cheddar gorge caves last year. We spent I would say 4-5 hours there. There are the 2 caves, cave history museum and a film to watch. You can also climb Jacobs ladder and then join the walking routes around the gorge but we didn't. Cheddar gorge village (the shops in gorge) is quite nice. A few shops and little places for lunch. We took a picnic. There is a nice christmas decorations shop.

Are Cheddar Gorge Cave different to Wookey Hole?

Wookey Hole is £21 and it says the tour takes 25 mins!

OP posts:
GordanoBenito · 06/04/2023 18:15

@HelpsHeal Yes, cheddar gorge caves are different from Wookey Hole caves - wookey hole is about 20-30 mins drive from cheddar.

Nailsandthesea · 06/04/2023 18:18

We did it last summer even though we live near.

do you need a recommendation for a place to stay? We stayed in an eco cabin in the woods with llamas - very reeasonable

caves you can do in an afternoon cheddar

wookey hole took a whole day loads to do - dinosaur, circus, pitch and putt etc

jacobs labber is worth it

nice trip to wells cathedral and see the swan ring the bell

chew Magna lake

Nailsandthesea · 06/04/2023 18:18

Ladder even!! Excuse my fingers typing!

MMBaranova · 06/04/2023 18:19

Wookey is on the outskirts of Wells. Cheddar caves are right next to Cheddar. The gorge has the road coming down off Mendip in it.

Nailsandthesea · 06/04/2023 18:20

We spent all day at Wookey hole - literally all day.

plan at least an afternoon - you can do paper making and all sorts
an hour for Wookey caves

cheddar caves a couple of hours and a nice walk along the river and ice cream

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