Cheddar

Limestone cliffs tower 400 feet above this Somerset village, creating one of England's most dramatic gorges. The famous Cheddar Gorge cuts through the Mendip Hills like a geological wound, its sheer rock faces drawing climbers and walkers from across the country. This isn't just about cheese - though the caves beneath do produce the proper stuff.

Lodge Hill and Windmill Hill frame the gorge's entrance, their steep flanks carved with walking paths that reward the effort with spectacular views across the Somerset Levels. The climb up Chalcroft Hill is a proper workout, but you'll have the landscape spread below you like a green patchwork quilt. Broadway Hill and Westclose Hill complete this ring of peaks that make Cheddar feel wonderfully enclosed.

Stoke Woods offers gentler rambling through ancient woodland, perfect for families who find the cliff paths a bit much. The village itself sits in the valley bottom, surprisingly quiet once the tour coaches have departed. Most visitors rush through for the caves and cheese shops, missing the real character of the place.

Wells lies just ten miles north, easily reached via the A371, while Bristol sits 20 miles away. The M5 brings you within striking distance, though the final approach through winding Somerset lanes is half the pleasure. Having a base at one of the local holiday parks makes perfect sense - you can explore the gorge at dawn before the crowds arrive, then venture out to Wells Cathedral or Glastonbury Tor. The Mendips reward those who take their time rather than tick boxes.