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Pictures of Cheddar

a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset

jacobs ladder view, Cheddar

About Cheddar

Each year, thousands of visitors are drawn to Chedder and the wild beauty of the magnificent hills through which this famous gorge is cut. Often called 'Englands Grand Canyon' Chedder Gorge was carved out by a river that now runs underground. On each side of the road that leads down to the village, cliffs rise majestically to the great heights of the Mendips Hills that are said to have been home to man and beast for thousands of years. This fact is evidenced by several long barrows that date to the New Stone Age of around 3,000 BC. There is evidence too, of a prosperous Bronze Age period and of Roman occupation. This is an area with a long history which has travelled through turbulent times and has seen various industries come and go. At one time mining featured heavily here, but always, over many centuries, and long before the vast underground caverns were opened for man to explore, farming has been at the heart of the communities that dwell within the Mendips.

It is the tourist attraction of the vast underground caverns that causes thousands of visitors to flock to Chedder. They queue in their hundreds to see the spectacular underground chambers which feature crystalline formations that have been created by water action. The caves are beautifully lit and present the visitor with a magical spectacle which is well worth seeing.

Just as cavers continue to explore the cavernous underground of these hollow, limestone hills, many climbers come here to scale the rock faces of the great cliffs that fill the ancient gorge. Some come quite unprepaired for the weather changes, for in the high upland regions, change comes swiftly, sunlight gives way to swirling mist and it is then that one is easily trapped. Fortunately, Chedder has an experienced rescue team than annually, both saves and helps many inexperienced climbers. One can quite understand the desire to climb these beautiful hills, the scenery all around is quite magical and from the high ridges there are wonderful vistas of the Bristol Channel and Brean Down and, on clear days, the hills of Wales come into view.

This is hallowed ground for the naturalist, the Mendip Hills reveal a rich bounty of flora and fauna. The fragile looking but sturdy Chedder Pink, once gathered in bunches by the tourists of a hundred years or so ago, is now a rare flower and grows only in Chedder Gorge, blooming in the high summer months. In late summer and autumn, many Butterflies can be spotted, they feed on the wild hedgegrow flowers such as red campion and marjoram. Many herbs and berries grow in the wooded areas. Blackberries grow in great profusion, and in cool, spacious openings between the trees you can find rosebay willowherb and paris. The woodland regions are rich with a multiple of trees, there are huge old oaks, towering maples, gracious limes and douglas firs. In spring delicate bluebells and wood anemones grow in abundance forming a splendid carpet in the undergrowth beneath the trees.
In autumn, the delicate colours of spring and summer give way to deeper hues when the leaves of trees and bushes change from green to brilliant red, copper and gold. There is a rare peace to be found in these wooded areas where often all that can be heard is the sound of birdsong from the birds who inhabit these woods.

High on the Hills, narrow lanes wend through ancient hamlets and delightful little villages. The surrounding land is a criss cross of fields hemmed in by leafy hedges and drystone walling. Old farmhouses, strongly built to withstand the icy blast of the winterwinds are surrounded by lush meadows, grazed by cattle and sheep. Here you are a world away from the tourist Chedder below, it is a region of sheer enchantment where every turn offers a fresh delight.

In the village of Chedder you will find many gift shops; Somerset cider is plentiful as is the famous cheese for which this area is renowned. There are several inns and public houses and a couple of traditional fish and chip shops. There is much to do, see and admire in this area but your abiding memory will be the sheer grandeur of the scenery where the highest point echoes the words of the song - On a clear day - for the view is just that - as though you could see forever more!


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Cheddar

Cheddar Caves and Gorge(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)Pictures
King John's Hunting Lodge(2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction NW)Pictures
Wookey Hole Caves and Papermill(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction SE)Pictures
Bishop's Palace, Wells(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction SE)Pictures
Wells Cathedral(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
Glastonbury Abbey(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction S)Pictures
The Chalice Well Gardens(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction S)Pictures
Glastonbury Tor(10.0 miles, 16.0 km, direction S)Pictures
Burnham-on-Sea Lighthouse(10.0 miles, 16.2 km, direction W)Pictures
Birnbeck Pier(10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction NW)Pictures
Tyntesfield(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction N)Pictures
Clevedon Court(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction N)Pictures
Ashton Court Estate, Bristol(13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction NE)Pictures
Clifton Suspension Bridge(13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction NE)Pictures
SS Great Britain(13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction NE)Pictures

All attractions in Cheddar
All attractions in Somerset
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Cheddar

Wookey, in the county of Somerset (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction SE)
It is a pleasant resort village made famous by the glittering limestone cavern known as "Wookey Hole" which comprises of several dramatic chambers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wells, in the county of Somerset (7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction SE)
Wells, situated at the foot of the picturesque mendip hills, is most certainly one of England's most delightful cathedral cities.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Glastonbury, a Historic Market Town in the county of Somerset (9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction S)
This little town now enjoys world renown for its annual music festival which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Burnham-on-Sea, in the county of Somerset (9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction W)
This invigorating Somerset coastal resort offers visitors a variety of experiences. It has a rich expanse of sand covering almost seven miles of coast, making it an idyllic resort for families with children.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bristol, a Historic City in the county of Somerset (16.3 miles, 26.2 km, direction NE)
Bristol Zoo is not this great city's only claim to fame
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Langport, in the county of Somerset (16.9 miles, 27.2 km, direction S)
This old town cradled at the heart of the Somerset Levels, sits bounded by the soft rolling Somerset countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bath, in the county of Somerset (19.2 miles, 30.9 km, direction E)
Bath is an elegant city famous for its fascinating history, its beautiful Georgian architecture and its Roman remains.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Holford, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (20.1 miles, 32.3 km, direction W)
Holford lies in a peaceful wooded valley at the foot of the lovely Quantock Hills crowning the landscape where the county of Somerset sweeps towards the coast.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Severn Beach, in the county of Gloucestershire (20.1 miles, 32.4 km, direction N)
From this pleasant spot it is possible to get the most marvellous views of the two impressive bridges spanning the River Severn.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Martock, in the county of Somerset (21.3 miles, 34.4 km, direction S)
The interior of Martock's Ham-stone church is perhaps the grandest in all Somerset, the startling effect of the golden stone against the most lavishly decorated of the county's great tie-beam roofs is simply overwhelming.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cardiff, in the county of Glamorgan (22.3 miles, 35.9 km, direction NW)
Cardiff, vibrant capital city of Wales is located on the banks of the beautiful, meandering River Taff. It is an ancient city with an amazing history and strong maritime connections.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stourton, in the county of Wiltshire (23.3 miles, 37.5 km, direction SE)
Stourton is noted for the church dedicated to St. Peter where you can see many memorials to the famous Hoare banking family and for the house which was the families ancestral home.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Poyntington, in the county of Dorset (24.1 miles, 38.8 km, direction SE)
This is a delightful small village situated in the picturesque Blackmore Vale where the Dorset and Somerset boundary meets.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Gillingham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset (27.4 miles, 44.2 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Somerset
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

M5 Junction 21(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NW)
Bristol International Airport(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction N)
Worle Station(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction NW)
Yatton Station(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction N)
M5 Junction 22(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction W)
Cardiff International Airport(26.1 miles, 42.0 km, direction W)
Cheddar to London(115.7 miles, 186.1 km, direction E)

Hotels & Accommodation in Cheddar

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Cheddar center
Holiday Inn Bristol Airport(5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction N)
Holiday Inn Bristol Airport and 8 days parking(5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction N)
Holiday Inn Bristol Airport and 21 days parking(5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction N)
Holiday Inn Bristol Airport and 15 days parking(5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction N)
Webbington Hotel & Country Club(6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction W)
Days Inn Sedgemoor(6.4 miles, 10.4 km, direction W)
Cadbury House Classic Hotel(7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction N)
Bridge Inn(8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction N)
The Commodore Hotel(10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction NW)
Arosfa Hotel(10.1 miles, 16.3 km, direction NW)
All hotels in Cheddar

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