Cheddar Gorge: England's Spectacular Limestone Canyon

Cheddar Gorge lies in the Mendip Hills, Somerset, England—Britain's largest gorge.

• Depth: ~120 m (400 ft)
• Length: ~3.2 km (2 miles)
• Geology: Carboniferous limestone, carved by glacial meltwater floods (~1.2 Mya)
• Caves: Gough's Cave, Cox's Cave (show caves); Cheddar Man (9,000-yo skeleton) found here
• Wildlife: Peregrine falcons, greater horseshoe bats, rare flora (Cheddar pink, whitebeam)

Visiting

• B3135 road runs through the gorge (dramatic drive)
• Cliff-top walks (National Trust)
• Cheddar village: cheese caves (original Cheddar cheese aging), shops, cafes
• Rock climbing, caving (permitted areas)

Designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) & Special Area of Conservation (SAC).