Cheddar Gorge is on a public road and therefore you do not need tickets to access the gorge. It is free to access for all. At street level you can walk or drive through the gorge.
Can you visit Cheddar Gorge for free? Yes! The Gorge is a public road with public footpaths from the village of Cheddar which are all free to access. Fee's only apply for Cheddar Gorge Tourist attractions like the Caves and Jacobs Ladder.
This is now going into land owned by Cheddar Gorge, but this part of the attraction is free and open to the public. You'll quickly reach the highest part of the Gorge and can look across to the other side you've just walked along.
There's then a rocky uphill path to reach the top of the Gorge. From there you can come down Jacobs Ladder for free. Unless you have small kids with you/want to go into the caves, there's no need to pay for this tourist attraction at all. Head to the National Trust website for a full printable map and directions.
How to see Cheddar Gorge. One of the easiest ways to get a sense of the scale and beauty of Cheddar Gorge is to simply drive through it. Just start in the village and head outwards and upwards.
Located in the Mendip Hills, 50 minutes away from Bath and Bristol, the spectacular gorge offers a breathtaking walk along the cliff tops, fantastic views over the Somerset countryside and a great opportunity to spot wildlife. While visiting Cheddar Gorge is free, you may need to pay for parking.
Cheddar Gorge & Caves provides accessible toilets, free parking for blue badge holders and free admission for carers accompanied by a full paying visitor.
A moderate 4-mile walk along paths with some steep climbs. For further details, please see Terrain section. Cliffs may be difficult to access for those with limited mobility.
Experience this 12.7-km circular trail near Hope, Derbyshire. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 10 min to complete. This is a very popular area for camping, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Always Cheddar. Wookey is OK and has the underground lake to look at but they take you on a tour so you don't get to hang around. Ceddar has three caves (one with a dragon) and you can take your time. Cheddar also has great walks around the gorge and more choice for cafes - walk up the gorge a bit for quiteter ones.
14 miles. Starting on the B3135 just east of Cheddar, 14 glorious miles of Somerset countryside lie between you and your destination at Ashwick. Heading east along Cliff Road, you'll pass through Priddy before travelling along Plummer's Loan.
If you want to enjoy the full three mile route you should probably leave around 2-2.5 hours to do this. After all you never know what amazing native flora and fauna you might encounter in this rich habitat. However, you could always just go for a shorter climb to the first view point and turn back when you're ready.
How long does it take to walk to the top of Cheddar Gorge?
The whole walk took just over 3 hours with a couple of 10 minute breaks, following the footpath up the gorge , very steep in places and along the top through some very rocky and uneven ground to a steep decent down to the main road, crossing the road and another steep climb up the other side, this is where the best ...
Many people think you need to pay for Jacob's Ladder to do this walk but you don't have to. There are many free options from Cheddar Gorge village as well. Although it is steep and a little bit of a workout, you won't regret putting in the effort for these incredible views.
You'll soon burn that off climbing the 274 steps which make up Jacob's Ladder, and there are 48 more to get to the top of our unique Lookout Tower. The climb is well worth the effort. You'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the Mendips and beyond.
Cufic Lane Loop is the easiest trail in this collection of Cheddar Gorge walks, offering wonderful views of the Somerset Levels. The path takes you on an uphill hike to Cheddar Waterfall, which is accompanied by a restaurant and Cheddar Crazy Golf!
Wear suitable clothing - it can be cold and windy at the top of the gorge. Wear walking boots – it's rocky underfoot ,and can be muddy and slippy when it rains. Take care at cliff edges, keep your dogs on a lead and follow The Countryside Code.
The idea of a cable car at the gorge was first suggested more than 20 years ago. Although no planning application has been submitted the trust has made it clear it would object. David Bradley from the Longleat Estate said he was "disappointed" with the trust's stance having previously consulted with it.
Cheddar Gorge is one of England's most iconic and spectacular landscapes. We are really proud to own the north side of this spectacular gorge and we hope that you will enjoy exploring it in a way that suits you.
The circular loop of the park is 3.5 km of the Cheddar Resevoir. There is free parking at both the Sharpham Road entrance and the Cheddar Road entrance.
