Cheddar

Stand at the mouth of Cheddar Gorge on a misty morning and you'll understand why this limestone chasm has been drawing visitors since Victorian times. The sheer cliffs rise 450 feet above your head, creating Britain's largest gorge in a landscape that feels almost prehistoric.

Caves riddle the gorge like Swiss cheese. Gough's Cave might get the tour groups, but the smaller caverns - Sandy Hole, Shute Shelve Cavern, and White Cliff Cave - offer a more intimate encounter with this underground world. Each has its own character, from flowstone formations to hidden chambers where our ancestors sheltered thousands of years ago.

Beyond the famous gorge, this corner of Somerset rewards the curious. King John's Hunting Lodge in nearby Axbridge is actually a medieval merchant's house - the name's complete nonsense but the timber-framed building houses a proper local museum. Cheddar Reservoir, now a nature reserve, draws birdwatchers and walkers looking for gentler pleasures than cliff climbing.

The town itself can feel overrun in summer, packed with coaches and day-trippers clutching cheese samples. But venture into Cheddar Wood or Rose Wood and you'll find the peace that first drew people to these valleys. Early morning or late afternoon, when the light catches the limestone just right, the gorge regains its ancient magic.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the area puts you within walking distance of the main attractions while offering escape routes into quieter countryside. Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa sits right in the thick of things, while options like Petruth Paddocks give you breathing room without the trek back each evening.