WALK: Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
Ravine ramble
Stunning show caves, rare plantlife and a street of tempting treats make this walk through Britain’s largest gorge irresistible, says Sarah McPherson
Meandering for three miles and with spectacularly precipitous cliffs plunging more than 120m, Cheddar is the largest gorge in Britain. This stunning natural landmark was shaped during the last Ice Age, as glacial meltwater formed a river that, over time, carved out the deep chasm we see today.
Designated an SSSI and part of the Mendip Hills AONB, the gorge and its surrounding grasslands are a haven for wildlife. Feral goats and Soay sheep graze the shrubland, while peregrines, kestrels and ravens command the skies. A diversity of plantlife, including the rare Cheddar pink, endemic to the Mendips, supports an array of bees and butterflies.
CHEDDAR LOOP
You can experience the drama of the gorge via a two-hour circular walk that takes you up and along the north side and then the south, with a mid-way stop in Cheddar town. The trail is steep, uneven and slippery in places, but is an incredibly satisfying stomp that rewards with utterly breathtaking views. Park at Black Rock on the B3135. Enter the National Trust reserve on your right, and after 100m, take the steep, stony path on the left. You then ascend for about 20 minutes through mixed woodland and open areas of bracken, before making the final push to the clifftop via a steep flight of wooden steps. At the top, gather your breath while admiring your first views of the gorge and beyond.
Continue on the path and you soon start a gradual descent, leading across a grassy area and down through another stretch of woodland. Then, meander down through the houses on to the High Street.
Here is a plethora of cafés, pubs, sweet shops and ice cream parlours in which to refuel. To make a day of it, Gough’s Cave, with its excellent audio tour, is worth a visit (entry is included on a ‘day ticket’ to various attractions in Cheddar).
LADDER AND PINNACLES
When you are ready to tackle the south side, either climb the 274 steps of Jacob’s Ladder, or turn left off the High Street on to The Lippiatt and again on to Lynch Lane, picking up the footpath. Both lead to the historic Lookout Tower on the clifftop, which first opened in 1908 and offers views as far as Exmoor.
The trail along the south cliff encompasses Cheddar Gorge’s highest point, known as The Pinnacles, and evermore spectacular views: look out for the iconic outline of Glastonbury Tor. The path eventually descends through pretty swathes of bracken; the gate signposted Shipham marks the final, steep descent back to Black Rock.
Sarah McPherson is features editor at BBC Wildlife Magazine.