Map of Cheddar

By foot!

Parking is possible in numerous laybys in the gorge; the ones near the attractions are larger but usually not free (or at best only certain times). You can usually pull over there for a bit even so, if you stay by the car "in case", unless it's peak season and busy. Those further up the gorge proper are free. The car parks in the village are pay and display.

There are a range of tickets sold in the gorge's shops, which allow entry to multiple attractions — well worth looking into.

• 51.282409-2.765461 Cheddar Gorge. The Gorge is the largest Gorge in Britain. It is made up of limestone. Around 500,000 people visit the Gorge and Caves each year. It was also named the second greatest wonder in Britain, in 2005.  

• Rock Climbing. There are around 350 official graded rock climbing routes on the 27 cliffs that make up the Cheddar Gorge. 
• 51.28199-2.7671 Clifftop walk. 24/7. The gorge clifftop is fully accessible and makes a good 1.3 mile (2 km) walk; the views and air at the clifftop are well worth the steep gradient of the walking path that may be encountered here and there. The easiest way up is via "Jacobs Ladder" (in reality easy-to-walk steps with regular resting places) which is paid entry to walk up and free to walk down, at the top turn left and head uphill. At the far end the path eventually turns into a gentler downhill walk through bluebell woods (in the Spring anyhow!) and back to the main road. It's free to walk up from this end but hard to find the pathway! (The other, North, side of the gorge is also walkable. It comprises a more grassy embankment with more of a woods-and-fields character in comparison.)
  Safety info: There are quite a few points where the cliff edge can be approached and these require care. That said, the top and its walking routes are extremely wide and feel very "safe", much like a hill walk anywhere else; there is no need to go anywhere near it at all or do anything more than enjoy a nice hill walk, unless you want to. Keep an eye out on kids and pets, though! The map marker indicates the start of the walk in the gorge. Free. 
• Museum. Museum of prehistoric humanity and cave findings. Interesting. 
• 51.27547-2.784792 Strawberry Line. 24/7. A nine-mile (14-km) walking and cycling route along a disused railway trackbed. From Cheddar it heads north through Axbridge and Sandford to Yatton. A high resolution map of the line can be downloaded here. Free. (updated Apr 2023)
• 51.2801-2.80253 Cheddar Reservoir. 24/7. Artificial reservoir built in the 1930s, holding over 6 million m³ of water intended to supply the expanding population of North Somerset with drinking water. There is a pedestrian and cycle path loop around the reservoir that is accessible for recreational purposes. The reservoir is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the UK for the waterfowl wintering on the reservoir. Free. (updated Apr 2023)

There is a variety of shops around the Gorge ranging from a teddy bear shop to Cider and ale shops. Some of the shops sell an eyecatching range of unusual meads, ciders and other drinks, as well as regional cheeses, and other specialist delicacies.

• 51.28104-2.771911 La Rocca, The Cliffs, Cheddar Gorge, BS27 3QE, ☏ +44 1934 743 782, info@la-rocca.co.uk. M-Sa noon-10PM, Sunday noon-9PM. Contemporary Italian restaurant with good food, both indoor and outdoor seating, at the entrance of the gorge. Outdoor seating if weather allows gives a view over the river which is quite nice. The roasted duck is highly recommendable. (updated Apr 2023)

In Cheddar Village and at the bottom of the Gorge there are 6 pubs.

• 51.281269-2.7717321 The White Hart, The Bays, BS27 3QN, ☏ +44 1934 741261. (updated Oct 2017)
• 51.2793-2.7738872 The Riverside Inn, 7 Cliff St, BS27 3PT, ☏ +44 1934 742452. (updated Oct 2017)
• 51.27571-2.777193 The Bath Arms, ☏ +44 1934 742 425. (updated Oct 2017)
• The Galleries. (updated Oct 2017)
• 51.2822-2.779924 The King's Head, 1 Silver St, BS27 3LE. 5-11PM. (updated Oct 2017)
• 51.28211-2.7775 The Gardener's Arms, 35 Silver St, BS27 3LE, ☏ +44 1934 611 779. (updated Oct 2017)
• 51.267131-2.7689096 Cheddar Ales, Winchester Farm, Draycott Road, BS27 3RP (20 min footpath walk from village). taproom M-Th noon-4PM, F,Sa noon-8PM(or earlier). Artisinal brewery with 4 regular brews and a wide range of seasonal specials. (updated Jun 2024)

• 51.277677-2.7819751 Cheddar Youth Hostel, Hillfield, BS27 3HN, ☏ +44 845 371 9730, cheddar@yha.org.uk. Check-in: 17:00-20:30, check-out: 10:00. Private rooms and ensuite private rooms only, no dormitories. Not open all year, best check website to make sure. Self-catering kitchen and also serves breakfast. As the hostel has a licensed bar, you can't bring your own alcohol. From £35 for a 2 bed private room - from £55 for a room sleeping 6. (updated Jun 2024)
• 51.228-2.8092 The Swan, Cheddar Rd, Wedmore BS28 4EQ, ☏ +44 1934 710337. Friendly 18th-century inn with real ale and 7 rooms. Four miles awy in the neighbouring village of Wedmore. B&B double £110. (updated Jul 2020)

• Wells, nearby city with famous cathedral and more caves, including Wookey Hole which is different in character to the Cheddar caves.