Cheddar Gorge
The Clifftop Cheddar Gorge Walk is an absolute classic! It’s one of the best walks in the Mendip Hills, and one I had been dying to do for a long time.
It really is a spectacular hike…from the sharp cliff edges and pinnacles of Cheddar Gorge, to the most amazing panoramic views of the Somerset Levels. Totally stunning!!
WHAT’S THE THE WALK LIKE?
Do be prepared for some steep sections, but overall it’s just a moderate walk, and definitely worth those incredible views.
In my blog, as per usual, I’ve got a couple of options lined up for you, both starting from the Lippiat in Cheddar. On my walk, I skip Jacob’s Ladder, but you do have the option of going via that route if you don’t mind paying for it! More on that to come.
During my hike through Cheddar Gorge, I also ventured a little further, so I could hike up to Beacon’s Batch (325m). So I’ve broken down into 2 route options for you as follows;
Route 1 option – The Gorge walk (Distance 6.5km)
Route 2 option – The Gorge walk PLUS the Wireless Station and Beacon’s Batch (Distance 16km)
There are of course loads of options in which you can discover Cheddar Gorge for yourself, without having to pay for the privilege.
However, if you’re looking to go up via Jacob’s Ladder, then that unfortunately does come at a price!
Why? Although National Trust own the land and is free to visit, Cheddar Gorge charges visitors if they wish to use Jacob’s Ladder to access the Clifftop Cheddar Gorge walk.
You can descend Jacob’s Ladder for FREE, via the Cliff-top walk. But it’s a bit of a shame you have to pay the full price if you wish to ascend Jacob’s Ladder and to see the caves. But they are worth it!
Depending on high or low season, a full day ticket ranges from
£17.20 - £19.45 (Children aged between 5-15yrs)
£22.95 - £25.95 (Adult 16yrs+)
The full package includes;
Gough's Cave (including audio tour)
Museum of Prehistory
Cox's Cave featuring Dreamhunters: The Early Adventures of Man
Jacob's Ladder and the Lookout Tower
Cliff-Top Walk
Beyond the View: A cinematic experience
Before we plunge into our walk, let’s discover a bit more about Cheddar Gorge and what it has to offer…
CHEDDAR GORGE
Cheddar Gorge is a limestone gorge located in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England. It is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with towering limestone cliffs, caves, and a winding river running through the gorge. Here's a brief overview of the history and significance of Cheddar Gorge:
Geological History:
Cheddar Gorge was formed during the last Ice Age, around 1.2 million years ago, when melting glaciers caused water to erode the limestone rock, creating the distinctive gorge we see today. The gorge is part of the Cheddar Complex, a network of caves and tunnels formed by the action of water on the soluble limestone.
Archaeological Significance:
Cheddar Gorge has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates that people lived in the caves of the gorge during the Mesolithic period, approximately 10,000 years ago. The most famous inhabitant of Cheddar Gorge is Cheddar Man, Britain's oldest complete human skeleton, dating back over 9,000 years. Cheddar Man was found in Gough's Cave in 1903
Cheddar Cheese:
Cheddar Gorge is also associated with the production of Cheddar cheese, which has been made in the region for centuries. The unique conditions of the gorge, including its cool and humid caves, were ideal for aging and maturing the cheese. Today, Cheddar cheese is still produced in the area and is one of the most popular and well-known varieties of cheese worldwide.
Tourism:
Cheddar Gorge has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its dramatic landscapes, hiking trails, and the opportunity to explore the caves. The cliffs are popular among rock climbers, and there are several lookout points offering breathtaking views of the gorge.
Caves and Attractions:
Several caves within Cheddar Gorge are open to the public, allowing visitors to explore the underground chambers and learn about the geological and human history of the area. Gough's Cave, where Cheddar Man was discovered, is one of the main attractions. Other notable caves include Cox's Cave and the Diamond Cave.
FEATURES
GOUGH’S CAVE
The cave is 115 m deep and is 3.405 km long, and contains a variety of large chambers and rock formations. It contains the Cheddar Yeo, the largest underground river system in Britain. It boasts some beautiful rock formations and stunning features wherever you look. The new and improved lighting system makes the magnificence of the cave even more apparent.
JACOB’S LADDER
Is an historic attraction, which is located next to Cox’s cave. It dates back to 1869, and was built by Rowland Pavey.
There are of course many steep staircases in the UK that bear the same name. All inspired by the Biblical ladder Jacob dreamed of that reached up from earth to heaven.
There are 274 steps in total you’d have to climb in order to get to the very top! It shouldn’t take longer than 5 – 15 minutes depending on your speed and fitness.
If you need a rest, don’t worry, luckily, there are some benches on the way up!
CHEDDAR GORGE LOOKOUT TOWER
Lookout Tower
This is located at the top of Jacob’s Ladder, and was also built by Rowlan Pavey. It’s 14m high, and there are 48 steps which lead to a circular viewing platform. Looking down you will see the steep valley side of the Gorge. There are signs at the Tower which will inform you what you are seeing. Be very careful both ascending and descending, as it’s quite narrow, and in windy conditions it can feel a little wobbly!
FERAL CHEDDAR GORGE GOATS
One of the joys of this walk, as you walk along the clifftop you may come across these wonderful feral goats and Soay sheep. They really are quite beautiful, and most that I saw were happy enough as they either lay down or grazed peacefully.
As cute as they are, please be mindful of them, and don’t feed them! If you have a dog with you, it’s best to keep it on a lead.
CHEDDAR GORGE CLIFFTOP VIEWPOINT AT THE PINNACLES
These are one of the main attractions and rewards you get for climbing up Cheddar Gorge. The views are simply breathtaking! To get the best views requires you to step off the main path. So be extra careful! There are sheer drops, without any fencing. If it’s particularly windy, just keep back a little from the edges. The views remain the same I can assure you!
CLOTHING
Wear sensible hiking boots or shoes – the path is steep, with uneven ground pretty much the whole way. There are jagged rocks in the path, and the trail can also get fairly boggy from Late Autumn through winter and also can get dusty in Summer.
Wear or bring extra layers – you can be very exposed especially on the higher ground, with very little shelter until you’re in the woods and lower grounds. Even in the Summer, England being England, you never know what the weather will bring!
HYDRATION
Bring water and snacks – Even if you’re doing the shorter of the two walks I’ve highlighted, it’s still a long and steep climb. So I would bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Plus don’t forget to bring plenty of snacks to top up your energy levels. On a Summer’s day, you can always stop off for a picnic somewhere to really take in the views!
NAVIGATION
Minimal Signage – is not great at all once you’re on the clifftop. Make sure to have my OS Maps route downloaded as an offline route before you go as the signal is bad, and for the longer route which includes Beacon’s Batch download my OS Maps route here. Or try an alternative such as Google Maps, or All Trails
TAKE CARE
The Pinnacles viewpoint – as it’s not on the main path, please be very careful when walking up to the edge of the cliff. Although you don’t want to miss out this highlight of your walk, be very careful when veering off the main path!
PACE YOURSELF
Don’t rush! Take your time to enjoy the stunning scenery – the walk is very steep until you reach the pinnacle viewpoint where it then flattens out. Then, it’s a steep walk back down and up again to the opposite side. There aren’t any benches but there are rocks you can perch on.
REMEMBER THE LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a set of ethical principles that guides us all to help minimise our impact on the environment whilst hiking, camping, and exploring nature. These principles are not only about protecting our natural world, but also about ensuring that our future generations are able to enjoy the same unspoilt, pristine wilderness as we do today.
Taking your dog with you? Keep your dog on a lead – and don’t let your dog stray as there are steep drops. Also, remember there are mountain goats here with their kids too!
PARKING
FOR MY ROUTE FROM LIPPIAT
There’s a pay and display car park in Cliff Street – Costs £1.80 for up to 2 hours, £3.90 for up to 4 hours, or All day is £6.10
There are toilet facilities there, so a good place to go before you set off.
Cliff Street Car Park location BS27 3PT, or What3Words Taking.Overcomes.Animated
FREE Cheddar Gorge walk parking
If you wanted to do the free Cheddar Gorge walk that skips paying for Jacob’s Ladder there is the option to park in Black Rock in one of the lay-bys there. What3Words Intention.Drop.Animates
You’ll see a National Trust sign for Black Rock with an entrance gate and there is limited off-road parking next to it.
From Black Rock, it’s very easy to access the start of the walk up the cliffside to see the pinnacles viewpoint and skip the parking and entrance fees!
WHERE TO STAY IN CHEDDAR
On my visit to Cheddar, I stayed at The Bath Arms. It was out of season, so very reasonably priced (but do check out pricing in High Season). The rooms feel quite luxurious, and the food is amazing! So if you fancy treating yourself to a bit of comfort, look no further! Click here to see rooms and rates
Aside from that, there aren’t too many other hotels in Cheddar Gorge itself, but there are other options you can book nearby.
Here is a selection of places you can spend the night near Cheddar Gorge;
Strawberryfields Park – take camping to a new level. This luxury lodge is more like a boutique home with a sundeck and hot tub. It makes the perfect retreat! Click here to book.
Mount Pleasant Farm – a luxury Bed & Breakfast in the heart of Somerset. There are bright beautiful rooms and even a pool! Click here to check dates and rates.
YHA Cheddar – a popular hostel chain that’s perfect for backpackers! Click here to book.
MARC’S ROUTES
Free option 1: Gorge Walk: from The Lippiat in Cheddar (bypassing Jacob’s Ladder)
Time: 2-3 hours (allowing plenty of time for taking in the scenery and snapping up loads of photos!)
Free option 2: Gorge Walk + Beacon’s Hatch
Time: 4-5 hours (the route can become quite sticky and harder to navigate in places especially around Beacon’s Batch – stick to my OS Maps route and you’ll be ok!)
MARC’S ROUTE MAPS
Marc’s OS Maps – Gorge walk
Marc’s OS Maps – Gorge walk plus Beacons Batch
Now you’ve got all the information you could possibly need for the Cheddar Gorge walk, LET’S GO!!!
START!
From the relative comfort of my Hotel, The Bath Arms, it was time to set off. The Cliff Street car park was literally around the corner, so I headed off in that direction.
My starting point from the Bath Arms Hotel
Cliff Street Car Park - and starting place for our walk.
From the car park, turn right, past a few shops and cafes, until you reach a stream on your right on the corner of Lippiat. Turn right and it’s a small incline until you reach Lynch Lane on the left.
Follow the sign, which takes you through a wooded path, and up towards the Lookout Tower. As it was an early start, the air felt quite cold being Autumn. But once I reached the Tower, I decided to take off one of my layers!
Along the trail there are some very handy signposts, that mark out exactly where you are in relation to other points along the walk.
Cheddar Gorge Lookout Tower
Walking up through Hazel Wood
We follow the signs for the Clifftop walk and go through a tall gate. The path then heads gently uphill. The path leads up towards Hazel Wood, and is quite uneven. It’s not too far though until we reach an open space offering up some amazing views. The Somerset Levels on one side, and if you climb up on the left hand side you get your first glimpse of the Gorge, which is teasing you to continue for a better view!
First glimpse of Cheddar Gorge
Low mist across the Somerset Plains
As it was still fairly early morning, there was a low mist rolling through the levels to my right, which made me think it could be a watercolour painting. Quite beautiful! The beauty continued as i headed up the path. At this time of year, the ferns were bathed in a golden hue.
Unbeknown as you are walking and admiring the views, you pass Gough’s Old Cave, which runs below you. Looking around, you also start to get some views of Cheddar Reservoir, behind where you started your journey. Another time, the reservoir was calling for a nice circular walk perhaps!
Cheddar Gorge Reservoir
But the Clifftop Pinnacles were drawing me onwards, and it’s here that are the views I was waiting for. They don’t disappoint. If you remember from my advice earlier, this is the place for the ideal photo opportunity. Taking a slight detour off the path, you will see a perch, offering a natural place, if you’re brave enough, to take in the outrageous views, and snap up your pics! To be honest, I could have stayed there a little longer, but I had a longer walk planned for today. So after taking in as much as I could of those views to hold onto, it was time to carry on.
The perch, which offers amazing views of Cheddar Gorge!
Cheddar Gorge Clifftop Viewpoint
There’s still a little more climbing to do before you reach the top, and of course, you can venture off the path again if you wish. Once at the top, you veer to the right towards the Cliff Plantation. The ground here was really muddy and sticky underfoot. But once through that I was onto an easy path in the trees once more, leading me downwards, and through some gates. The path descends quite steeply once through the thicker part of the woods, until you reach Cliff Road.
If you wish, there is an option just before you reach Cliff Road, to follow the signs for the South Cliffs, to walk around the other side of the Gorge. Or, once crossing the road you arrive at Black Rock, and now you have more choices ahead of you.
Decision time!
You can either follow the signs for the shorter walk (in my OS Maps route), and head back via Clifftop South, or you follow the signs for Black Rock Quarry.
If you’re aiming for Cheddar via Clifftop South, then head down to this section of my blog now!
On my walk, I took the path towards Black Rock Quarry, as I was heading towards the Wireless Station and then onto Beacon’s Batch.
If you chose this route, then follow me! Let’s carry on!
Look out for this gate and enter into Velvet Bottom
It’s a flat path, which after the previous efforts of the Gorge comes as a relief. Continue along this path, and eventually if you look to your right where the path veers left after, you’ll see a gate. Go through the gate and you’re now in Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve, which is a beautiful meadow, and soft underfoot. After passing through a gap in between some rocks, you’ll enter the Velvet Bottom lead dams. A signpost gives you some history of where you are now walking.
I’m all alone, and have been since the start of this hike. Even though I do love going hiking with friends, walking through this vast open meadow alone with my thoughts, was a joy. Being midweek on a cold Autumn day, I was wondering if I’d see anyone to be honest.
Walking through Velvet Bottom Lead Dams
Eventually the meadow grounds end and you’re now onto a hard gravel stone path. Go through the gate, and then you take a sharp left, as indicated handily in my photo! I mean, it’s pretty obvious, but my generosity knows no bounds!
Me making it very obvious!
We’re now onto a road, and continue along, first passing St. Hughs Charterhouse on our left, followed by the Charterhouse Outdoor Centre on our right. Coming to a crossroads carry straight over, and eventually you’ll be taking a left towards Mendip Farm and the Wireless Station. Interesting fact – the field on your right was once a Roman Lead Mining Settlement!
St. Hughs Charterhouse
This treelined road continues for a while, and eventually you’ll start to see the tall pylons of the Wireless Station ahead of you. We’re now at 312m elevation.
Wireless Station, 312m
The path runs directly to the left of the first pylon. Continue along this path for a while, until the view opens up once more. In the distance you should just be able to make out Beaon’s Batch. Again, I’ve handily photographed the spot!
Beacon’s Batch is somewhere over there!
You eventually come to a gate. Be careful through this section as you may come across some rather large cows, and bull. They’re happy enough, and are probably used to the odd walker passing through. It’s a lovely little stretch here, very barren and exposed to the elements. Not before long you reach the highest point of the day, Beacon’s Batch (325m). Low and behold, people! A group of 8 and a dog! One of them was very happy to take my photo, and I of course returned the favour.
Beacon’s Batch trig point 325m
After a very short breather it was time to head off – I was starting to feel the effects of being so exposed to the wind! There’s a couple of options at this point. The one I had planned would have led me through a large herd of enormous cows. This normally wouldn’t pose too much of a problem for me. But they were HUGE and blocking my path. So, being on my own, going down that unprotected grassland, I opted to turn around and follow the other group, who were heading back in the direction I had come to Beacon’s Batch just before. No problem, I would work out an alternative which I could then cross over the fields. (The OS route in this blog is the updated route I plotted after this hike).
Coming back to the same gate I had gone through a short while earlier, and then back along the same path, we then came to another gate on our right. After hopping over, we were into fields, which were going in the general direction I had originally intended. This detour was actually very pleasant, with rolling fields on either side. After spending a little time chatting and walking with my new found friends, we eventually said our goodbyes as they were heading elsewhere.
Keeping to the left side of the fields, you work your way down towards the bottom, followed by a left into another field. Just keep following the signs, and my OS maps route, until you eventually reach a narrow country road. Cross to your right, and then on your left you’ll see the sign taking you into the woods and down to a stream. Cross over a small wooden bridge and then the path snakes up a little until you reach a stile on your left.
It's a big open field, with Long Wood running on your right hand side all the way. Just keep going, following the path, which then heads downhill until you reach a familiar gate, which we had come to earlier at Black Rock. Follow the sign pointing in the direction of Cheddar Gorge, and go past the Quarry, until you reach the other familiar signpost where we left those that chose Route Option 1 earlier.
Gate at Black Rock
The way back to Cheddar
CHEDDAR VIA CLIFFTOP SOUTH
Following the sign, we now make a small ascent, up in between the trees, with some jagged rocks poking their heads through making you think before each step. Once at the top you bear left and down towards another gate. You take the path that’s in front of you just slightly to your right.
Once through the gate and onto the path, you soon come to the first of two sets of staircases! Now, I love a good old staircase, and these beauties reminded me so much of Box Hill. If you know, you know! If not – maybe check out my Box Hill Blog some time.
Love them or hate them, that’s the path we’re taking. The cold weather I had earlier on my walk, had long since lifted, and despite being late November, I was now down to a t-shirt.
The first of two staircases leading up Clifftop South
Just as well! Despite the climb, the reward are the views that open up once more. This time, from the South side of the Gorge, which offers a completely different perspective to it’s North side neighbour, and equally stunning!
Cheddar Gorge Clifftop South
At the top of Clifftop South
The path becomes quite narrow for a short while, until you reach a gate. Go through the gate and into an open space. Just past this space, I was about to continue down the path, when I noticed a low wall to my left that beckoned, as I thought I might get a better view of the cliffs from there. On arriving at the wall, a small herd of the feral goats I’d heard about were quietly grazing, some resting whilst soaking up the late afternoon sun. I stood very quietly, just for a short time watching them, being very careful not to disturb their siesta.
Back on the path, you can see Cheddar Reservoir once again, this time directly in front of you in the distance.
Cheddar Gorge Reservoir
The path then veers up through a field slightly to your right, and to another gate. The path I would have taken was blocked off, with a sign saying there had been a rockfall lower down and therefore was inaccessible. Not a problem. Just a slight right and left, and you head down through the woods, and you’re back on the path. Come to another gate, and the path heads steeply downhill for a short while, until eventually you reach a path next to a farmhouse.
It’s just a little further now until we reach the end of our walk…
Turn left at the road, Tuttors Hill. Follow the road and then turn left into Birch Hill, and then right, until you finally reach Cliff Street. The Car Park is to your left.
Awesome! You made it!
Now, if you’re feeling a little peckish, its’ definitely worth stopping by the Village Cafe and Bakery, in Bath Street. They make a mean Cornish pasty!
What3Words Emptied.Trinkets.Difficult
I hope you enjoyed my blog, and found it a useful resource if you decide to explore Cheddar Gorge and surrounds for yourself.
Happy hiking!
Marc
You can check out my highlights of the Cheddar Gorge walk on my YouTube Channel!
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