Trains to Cheddar Gorge
Discover the Cheddar Man’s home
Located amongst Somerset’s Mendip Hills, Cheddar Gorge is one of those places you can’t quite believe is in England. It’s a place that makes you want to take a breath and enjoy the majesty of nature – it’s hard to have a care in the world there. Join CrossCountry as we catch a train to Cheddar Gorge and explore what makes it so special.
How to get to Cheddar Gorge by train:
Cheddar Gorge is close to the small village of Cheddar. The nearest major train station to Cheddar Gorge is Weston-Super-Mare. This is within easy reach of CrossCountry stations, such as Taunton, Bristol Temple Meads, and Exeter St Davids.
Once you’re at Weston-Super-Mare, buses run regularly from the station to Cheddar village, taking around an hour. From the village, you can walk to Cheddar Gorge – the stunning limestone cliffs and show caves will be well worth it.
Things to do at Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar Gorge focuses on bringing plenty of education, entertainment, and excitement to your visit. One of the main Cheddar Gorge tourist attractions is Gough’s Cave, an enormous show cave with seemingly endless hidden chambers to explore under atmospheric lighting. Learn about the cave’s prehistoric inhabitants, the stalagmites and stalactites, and King Solomon’s Temple, a beautiful mineral formation.
Cheddar Gorge’s caves are astounding feats of nature, so it’s well worth visiting both show caves. Head to Cox’s Cave for an immersive journey back in time with Yeo, your virtual guide. The experience explores the relationship the cave has with water and the importance of our natural resources, using lights and animation to create a moving atmosphere.
The Museum of Prehistory teaches visitors about the lives of early humans in Cheddar. You’ll find tools, remains, and stories that bring the distant past to life, including information about Cheddar Man, a 10,000-year-old complete human skeleton!
Cheddar Gorge also offers plenty in the way of refreshing and challenging walks. You can climb the 274 steps of Jacob’s Ladder, which rewards you with access to the Lookout Tower and astonishing views of the Mendip Hills and the surrounding countryside. Or, the Cliff-Top Walk runs along the edge of the gorge, providing spectacular views of the gorge below in all its green glory.
Cheddar Gorge also offers Rocksport activities, including rock climbing and caving. These activities give thrill-seekers the chance to experience the landscape in an exhilarating and unforgettable way.
About Cheddar Gorge
With dramatic cliffs rising as high as 450ft, Cheddar Gorge is the UK’s biggest gorge. It boasts stunning limestone stalactite caverns that offer perfect photo opportunities, and a hike that’s begging to be walked if you’re in the area. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is famous across the world and continues to throw up new secrets and stories about where we, as a species, came from.
The history of Cheddar Gorge began millions of years ago when limestone cliffs were formed during the Ice Age from melting glaciers. Over the years, the cave’s stable environment has helped in the process of ageing authentic Cheddar cheese.
The gorge holds value as a centre for biodiversity. It is part of the Cheddar Complex Site of Special Scientific Interest, and it supports a range of rare flora and fauna, like peregrine falcons and dormice. Conservation efforts by the National Trust and Somerset Wildlife Trust help protect this important ecology.
Events are regularly hosted at Cheddar Gorge. For example, at Christmas, Santa and his elves pay a visit, and at Halloween, the ghosts and ghouls come out to spook visiting families in a frightful festival of fun. There is also a range of one-off events throughout the year, like educational talks and trails.
If you’re planning to visit Cheddar Gorge, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
