Cheddar Caves & Gorge Guide

Parts of the spectacular Cheddar Caves and Gorge complex have been attracting visitors for over 200 years. The largest and most famous cave is Gough’s Cave, so named because it was discovered by a Sea Captain named Richard Gough in 1890. It stretches 0.4km (0.25 miles) underground and is often referred to as a cathedral because of the vast caverns – such as the magnificent Diamond Chamber and Solomon’s Temple – that were carved out by Ice Age melt waters over a million years ago. When Gough’s Cave was blasted with dynamite to open it up for further exploration, archaeologists discovered what’s now known as Cheddar Man, the oldest complete skeleton found in Britain that’s thought to date back over 9,000 years. Other archaeological finds date human habitation in and around the site back over 40,000 years. The smaller Cox’s Cave was discovered by local mill owner George Cox in 1837 when one of his workers fell through a hole in the roof of the cave whilst collecting rocks for a new building. Above ground, a series of 274 steps known as Jacob’s Ladder take visitors from the foot of Britain’s biggest gorge to the very top where the Lookout Tower and the cliff top Gorge Walk are located. Caving, climbing and abseiling courses can also be arranged at the site.