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16 GREAT Things To Do in Cheddar Gorge & Near Cheddar Gorge!

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Cheddar Gorge is the perfect day out in Somerset to see a unique limestone Gorge and one of the outstanding places in Britain. And don’t go thinking that the Gorge is all there is to see and do! There are lots of things to do in Cheddar Gorge perfect for everyone.

Cheddar Gorge is located just past the village of Cheddar (yes, like the cheese!) and the Gorge, Village and nearby surroundings offer lots of Cheddar Gorge activities like hiking, caves, golf, shopping and eating!

You can pass by Cheddar Gorge on a wider road trip or day out in the local area and still get a good look at this hugely impressive Gorge after all Cheddar Gorge is close to places like Glastonbury, Weston-Super Mare, Bath, and the Cotswolds, or great as a stop on the way to Devon or Cornwall!

But you can also spend a whole day exploring Cheddar and things to do near Cheddar Gorge as a family, as a couple, with friends, with dogs, or on your own!

For more information on the details of visiting Cheddar Gorge like how to get to Cheddar Gorge and Cheddar Gorge Parking because there are a few options. Check out my Cheddar Gorge Guide here!

Things To Do in Cheddar Gorge

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge
Keep reading for the top things to do in Cheddar Gorge!

1. Drive Through Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar Gorge has previously been named Britain’s second greatest natural wonder! But, when visiting Cheddar Gorge for the first time, I was wondering how do you actually see the Gorge??

Well, you can definitely drive all the way through Cheddar Gorge and this is easily one of the top things to do at Cheddar Gorge because it’s the easiest, quickest and most up-close way to see it!

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, cars near Cheddar Gorge
The start of the drive into Cheddar Gorge

If you’re wondering, how long is Cheddar Gorge?

It’s 3 miles in total, so depending on your time you might want to drive all the way through it to your next destination, drive one way and back the other, or drive just half way and turn around in one of the car parks along Cheddar Gorge.

You do have to be careful driving through the Gorge as many people walk on the road and it’s very windy. Also, you have to drive through the village of Cheddar to access the main side of Cheddar Gorge which is a small road through an often very busy village with lots of tourists.

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, street in Cheddar Village
Start your drive through Cheddar Gorge by going through the village of Cheddar

2. Do the Cheddar Gorge Clifftop Walk

The main Cheddar Gorge walk also known as Cheddar Gorge Clifftop Walk, is a circular walk from Cheddar village, up a track to the top of the Gorge and through fields that take you alongside the Gorge, finishing via the famous Jacobs Ladder in Cheddar.

Not only will this Cheddar Gorge hike provide you with amazing views of the Gorge and a great sense of achievement but you’ll also take in other popular spots in Cheddar like the Pinnacles, Jacob’s Ladder and get a view of Cheddar Reservoir.

This is a great post on how to do this Cheddar Gorge Circular Walk with detailed information.

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar Gorge Clifftop Walk
Cheddar Gorge walks are one of the best things to do in Cheddar!

3. Marvel at the Cheddar Gorge Viewpoint

If you are short on time in Cheddar, you can still climb a path to a viewpoint at the top to see an amazing view of the Gorge and then walk straight back down.

To get to this path, walk up Cufic Lane which is in the middle of the village and then turn right, through the gate and up the hill.

The path to get to the top is through some woodland and it is quite steep but it is definitely worth it as one of the top Cheddar Gorge things to do!

Aside from the noted footpaths on the map (although don’t use Google Maps to look for footpaths as it’s not good here, I always use maps.me for footpaths), there are some scramble footpaths up Cheddar Gorge.

Cheddar Gorge Walk
Look out for this Cheddar Gorge Footpath sign
Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar Gorge Viewpoint
If there’s one thing you can’t miss in Cheddar, it’s seeing the Gorge from up high!

4. Explore the Cheddar Gorge Caves

The Cheddar Gorge Caves are usually top of the list for Cheddar Gorge with kids because they will interest them so much.

Gough’s Cave is the cave you can visit with a guided tour using a Cheddar Gorge & Cave Explorer Ticket. Gough’s Cave is the largest show cave and one of the best caves to visit in the Country! A tour will take you from the Ice Age creation to the Stone Age occupation to Victorian exploration.

As Visit England says, the Cheddar Gorge Caves are great if you’re looking for rainy day activities in Cheddar Gorge.

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar Gorge Caves entrance
Cheddar Gorge Caves are some of the Cheddar Gorge activities great for children!

5. Reach the top of Jacobs Ladder Cheddar

One of the top Cheddar Gorge attractions is Jacobs Ladder which provides excellent views from the top! But, it will take you a few steps to get to the top – 274 steps to be precise!

This tower first opened in 1908 and was wooden but it has been recently redeveloped and is now a major activity on people’s list of things to do in Cheddar.

Jacobs Ladder Tickets are part of the Cheddar Gorge & Cave Explorer Ticket too like the Cheddar Gorge Caves.

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Jacobs Ladder Cheddar ticket office
Start of Jacobs Ladder Cheddar
Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Jacobs Ladder Cheddar steps
Make sure Jacob’s Ladder is on your list of Cheddar Gorge things to do!

6. Try Rock Climbing

If there’s one thing to do at Britain’s most iconic rock landmark, it’s rock climbing!

Cheddar Gorge and Caves offers rock climbing for all ages and all abilities up the 450ft rock face!

This is one of the great things to do in Cheddar Gorge for children to get them to try something new!

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar Gorge Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is also one of the popular Cheddar Gorge activities

7. Cheddar Crazy Golf

Right in the middle of the village within a row of shops is Cheddar Crazy Golf, this is one of the fun things to do in Cheddar and perfect to keep children entertained on your day trip to Cheddar Gorge.

It was constructed 16 years ago using natural water-worn stone from the Gorge on the site of a 19th-century hotel garden!

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar Gorge Crazy Golf Entrance
Crazy Golf in Cheddar isn’t something I expected to see but it’s a great activity!

8. Dreamhunters at Cheddar Gorge

Another attraction included in the Cheddar Gorge & Cave Explorer Ticket is Dreamhunters!

This Cheddar Gorge Man experience takes you into the chambers of Cox’s Cave where you can walk in the footsteps of our ancestors in a multi-media experience!

It’s an extremely impressive story and a unique experience. If you have visited Cheddar Gorge a few times before and are looking for a new thing to do, check out this for one of the attractions near Cheddar Gorge.

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar Dreamhunters Entrance
Dreamhunters is a unique experience and another one of the top things to at Cheddar Gorge

9. Do more Cheddar Gorge Walks

There are even more Cheddar Gorge Walks to do than mentioned at the start of these things to do at Cheddar Gorge post.

If you decide to base yourself in the area and want to do a few days of hiking in Cheddar Gorge, I like this blog post which gives 11 different walks to do. You certainly won’t get bored of hiking around Cheddar Gorge with all the diverse countryside nearby.

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar Gorge Clifftop Walk
Cheddar Gorge walks are one of the best things to do in Cheddar!

10. Eat Cheddar Gorge Cheese

Yes! Cheddar Cheese is made and sold here in Cheddar, and even better, it’s actually made and aged in the Cheddar Caves!

There are plenty of shops selling Cheddar Cheese in Cheddar, specifically at The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company you will find a range of cheeses to purchase and take home.

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Block of Cheddar Cheese
Yes, Cheddar Cheese is from Cheddar!
Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, yellow building in Cheddar village
One of the Cheddar Cheese Shops in Cheddar Gorge

11. Book a Cheese Experience Tour

If you really love cheese and want to see how Cheddar Cheese is made and stored, you can book a VIP Cheese Experience Tour with The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company.

These cheese tours in Cheddar do book up fast so when planning your day out at Cheddar Gorge, do book tickets in advance.

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Experience
Why not book a Cheese Experience Tour when in Cheddar?

12. Cheddar Gorge Shopping

The shops in the village of Cheddar are like Chocolate Box shops in a perfect quintessentially English-designed village!

There are many gift shops, cheese shops, cider shops and much more for you to browse. There’s also an all-year-round Christmas shop called Old Rowlands.

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Fudge Shop Entrance in Cheddar
Shopping in Cheddar is great so leave some time for it
Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Christmas Shop in Cheddar
There’s even a Christmas Shop in Cheddar Village

13. Cheddar Gorge Cafes

As well as plenty of ice cream shops and take-out cafes there are many cute cafes you can sit in for a sandwich (obviously I got a Cheddar sandwich), or some afternoon tea!

Lion Rock Tea Rooms is a highly rated cafe in Cheddar and it’s in a beautiful blue cottage. I went to Cafe Gorge across the road which had lovely outdoor seating and a view over the cliffs.

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Lion Rock Tea Rooms in Cheddar
Lion Rock Tea Rooms is a great place to visit if you’re looking for cafes in Cheddar Gorge
Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Table at Cafe Gorge in Cheddar
I ate at Cafe Gorge across the street which was a good spot

Things To Do Near Cheddar Gorge

14. Cheddar Reservoir

Going away from the village of Cheddar a bit and Cheddar Gorge itself, for things to do near Cheddar Gorge, be sure to head to Cheddar Reservoir which is a nice place to walk around, especially for dog walkers, and you can do watersports on the water.

I got a great view of Cheddar Reservoir from the Cheddar Gorge Clifftop Walk so if you want to get a look at it before you go, head up to the Cheddar Gorge viewpoint first!

Things to do in Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar Reservoir view
Cheddar Reservoir is one of the good places near Cheddar Gorge to visit

15. Wookey Hole

Wookey Hole is a top family attraction near Cheddar and is still located in the Mendip Hills!

For alternative Caves in Cheddar you can visit them here! They have the largest and most spectacular show-caves in England plus 20 other fantastic attractions for families in Somerset!

Going here as well will make the perfect family day trip to Cheddar!

16. Day Trips from Cheddar

To make a full day out at Cheddar Gorge and in Somerset, you could combine some of these places near Cheddar Gorge with visiting Cheddar Gorge.

  • Weston-Super-Mare Beach
  • Bristol
  • Bath
  • Glastonbury
  • The Cotswolds

Check out these Somerset hidden gems by the National Trust for more places to visit in Somerset near Cheddar Gorge.

Things to do near Cheddar Gorge, Cotswold village
The Cotswolds are not too far from Cheddar Gorge!

I hope this list of things to do in Cheddar Gorge has helped you plan your visit!

For more detailed information on how to get to Cheddar Gorge, car parking etc, read my full guide to Cheddar Gorge here!