Enjoy a family day out at Cheddar Gorge and experience something new this summer. Full of history, natural beauty, fantastic exhibits, and only 30 minutes away from Brent Knoll by car, this spot is a wonderful day out where little ones and big ones alike can enjoy everything that the site has to offer.
Cheddar Gorge is a fantastic location in Somerset that every family will love. With caves, walks, a museum, a café, and more, there is something for everyone here, and it is sure to keep a whole family busy.
The gorge itself is a beautiful limestone gorge in the Mendip hills near Cheddar. The Cheddar show caves are home to Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton, known as the Cheddar Man, who was found in 1903 and is estimated to be around 9,000 years old—if that doesn’t draw you in, what will?
Key Visitor Information
Below are the important pieces of information you need to know for a family day out at Cheddar Gorge, from location to entrance fees:
- Location – Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar, Somerset. BS27 3QF
- Opening Times – 10.00am–5.00pm in mid-May to September; 10.30am–4.30pm from mid-September–April. Closed on Christmas and Boxing Day
- Entrance Fee – free entry to main part of the gorge and walks
- Full Day Visitors Prices – access to six locations across Cheddar Gorge; £24.95 for adults (16+ years), £18.70 for children (5–15 years), accompanying carers and children under 5 enter for free
- Email Address – caves@cheddarcaves.co.uk
- Telephone Number – 01934 742343
Top Family-Friendly Attractions at Cheddar Gorge
For a family day out at Cheddar Gorge, consider visiting the following areas to make the most of your visit!
Gough’s Cave
For stalagmite and stalactite formations, Gough’s Cave is the number one destination at Cheddar Gorge. Here, you can also visit the site of Cheddar Man’s remains, and see fresh cheddar cheese maturing in the chambers.
Enjoy the audio guide available in six languages as you explore the caves, and select a special version for children accompanying you to get the most out of it.
Jacob’s Ladder & Lookout Tower
If you have some energy to waste, the 274 steps it takes to scale the gorge will be enough to tucker you out – but don’t worry, there are plenty of resting spots along the way. From the top, you can enjoy the stunning views of the Mendips and Somerset Levels.
For those who want to go the extra distance, climb the additional 48 steps of the Lookout Tower for an even more breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.
Cox’s Cave
Explore Cox’s Cave alongside a tour and the virtual guide ‘Yeo’. Here, you will be immersed in the history and formation of the caves through the help of projections and animations on the cave walls. State-of-the-art sound and lighting create an unbelievable experience, and tells you about the importance of the environment and protecting our natural resources.
As the oldest of the two show caves, Cox’s Cave was discovered accidentally in 1837 when a crowbar was dropped into a hole at the top of the cliff, leading to its discovery.
Cheddar Gorge’s Museum of Prehistory
You can visit the Museum of Prehistory and learn about the artefacts uncovered in the area that tell us about how people lived thousands of years ago. Here, you can find all kinds of artefacts and recreations, including woven baskets, skins, skeletons, and scenes of the site and its old inhabitants.
While the museum itself is not large, it is full of fascination, and will keep you and the family busy for hours. As many of the reviews say, you shouldn’t be surprised if you spend more time here than the caves themselves!
Adventures for Everyone to Enjoy
If you want to take part in adventure, consider taking part in the escape rooms or trying out the rocksport area, where over eights can try out caving, free-falling, and climbing. There is plenty to do and enjoy for a family day out at Cheddar Gorge.
Activities for visitors to enjoy:
- Escape Rooms – suitable for anyone 12 or older, you can put your brain to the test and try your hand at the two escape rooms: Caved In, and The Vault.
- Rocksport – suitable for anyone 8 or older, Rocksport is perfect for everyone who wants to imagine climbing the rock face, free-falling, or caving.
- Beyond the View – learn the history, stories, and wildlife associated with Cheddar Gorge through the 270-degree screen.
Scenic Walks and Wildlife Spotting
The Cliff-Top Walk will take you along the beautiful cliff from the top of Jacob’s Ladder for three miles to enjoy the scenery and beauty of nature. While you need to put on some walking shoes and make sure you are appropriately dressed, this walk is well worth the effort—even if you only decide to go halfway.
In just 10–15 minutes, you will be met with a stunning view of the entire gorge, and you should absolutely sit and soak it in for a while on a sunny day! There is no better way to finish a day at the gorge.
Where to Eat: Family-Friendly Cafés and Picnic Spots
Located near the entrance of Gough’s Cave, this café is the perfect spot to sit back and relax while you enjoy hot or cold drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and dig into snacks, light lunches, and cakes. You can also head to the Cheddar Cheese Visitor Centre in the village of Cheddar to watch real cheddar being made, and even partake in some delicious, free cheese-tasting!
There are also several fantastic locations for you to enjoy a picnic if you want to sit out in the sun during your family day out at Cheddar Gorge. Due to how busy it can get in the summer, many of our visitors may prefer this option—and you will be glad to know that you can bring your well-behaved dogs, provided they remain on their leash during their visit with you.
Tips for Visiting with Kids (Parking, Pushchairs, Toilets)
If you have children and are visiting Cheddar Gorge, you can explore the caves and surrounding area with ease. Gough’s Cave has a wonderful audio tour to enjoy, or you can go to Cox’s Cave or the Museum of Prehistory for a unique and unforgettable experience. You will also want to visit Jacob’s Ladder and the Lookout Tower to get a good view of the area, enjoy the Cliff-Top Walk, and experience Beyond the View: A cinematic experience to make the most of your day out with your kids.
The best family activities at Cheddar Gorge include the Museum of Prehistory for those who want to fill their day with knowledge about the incredible history of the area, Gough’s Cave, where you can enjoy an in-depth audio tour while you explore the area, and Cox’s Cave, where you can immerse yourself in stunning lights. Depending on how old your little ones are, the three-mile Cliff Top Walk might be too much, and Jacob’s Ladder and the Lookout Tower could be a challenge with over 300 steps to climb in total—but the views are worth the struggle.
Planning a Family Day Out at Cheddar Gorge
To plan a family day out in Cheddar Gorge, you will need to take into account accessibility first and foremost—anyone with severe mobile restrictions or those who require wheelchair use will not be able to access many parts of Cheddar Gorge, including the Cliff Top Walk and the Lookout Tower and the caves. This may also apply to young children who require a pushchair, or children who are not physically able to navigate the caves, walk, and the 300+ steps.
You can make the most of a family day out in Cheddar Gorge by being mindful of capabilities and planning ahead. However, there is plenty to see and experience during your visit if you avoid the more physically demanding areas like the 3-mile walk, with child-friendly caves, museums, and more to fill a day with excitement and fun for all ages.
Cheddar Gorge is family-friendly, and there are play areas for under twos, baby changing facilities, and buggy parking for anyone who needs it. We are also a breast-feeding friendly space, and offer high chairs, and free water refills to ensure that you are comfortable during your visit.
Make a Weekend of it: Stay at Apple Tree Hotel Nearby
Spend the night at Apple Tree Hotel after a long and exciting family day out at Cheddar Gorge, just a short drive away from the caves. Here, you can relax or dine with us, or unwind in our various meeting rooms and bedrooms available, and be ready for another day of exciting things to do nearby.
Planning a visit to Cheddar Gorge? Book your family-friendly stay at Apple Tree Hotel, just a short drive away—perfect for comfort, convenience, and countryside charm. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us, or read more about the Apple Tree Hotel in our news section.