Jacob's Ladder

The 274 steps carved into the limestone cliff face at Cheddar Gorge are properly steep, and yes, you will feel them in your legs on the way up. Jacob's Ladder is less a destination and more a lung-busting shortcut - a Victorian-era staircase that climbs the eastern wall of the gorge, bypassing the road route entirely. From the top, you get a proper view across the Mendip Hills and down into the gorge itself, though the ascent is relentless and genuinely not for the unfit.

Who should bother? Walkers keen on a quick cardiovascular challenge, families with older kids who don't mind a hard slog, and anyone staying at one of the nearby campsite options - Cheddar Bridge, Cheddar Woods Resort, or Owley Woods Glamping - who fancies an early-morning stomp. Small children will likely complain. A lot.

It's free to use and takes roughly 15-20 minutes to climb if you're moving at pace, though most people dawdle and stop for breath. Go in the early morning before the Cheddar Gorge day-trippers arrive, or late afternoon when the light's better for photos. The limestone steps can be slick after rain, so avoid those days.

Fit it into a larger Cheddar Gorge walk rather than treating it as a standalone trip. The ladder connects nicely with trails around Cheddar Woods Resort or onward rambles across the Mendips. It's honest work for honest views - no pretence, no nonsense, just steps and effort.