Cheddar Gorge, nestled deep in the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Somerset, stands as one of the UK’s most spectacular natural landmarks. This awe-inspiring geological feature, carved out of Carboniferous Limestone, is not only England’s deepest natural canyon but also home to a vital, winding road that is widely celebrated as one of Britain’s best drives: the B3135.
A Scenic Drive Through Deep Time
The B3135, also known as Cliff Road, offers an unforgettable journey of approximately 14 miles, connecting the village of Cheddar to Ashwick. The most famous section is the one that weaves through the gorge itself. Here, the road is a twisting, challenging ribbon of tarmac, dictated entirely by the dramatic landscape.
Towering up to 450 feet (137m) above the valley floor, the sheer limestone cliffs of the gorge press in on either side, demanding concentration from the driver while simultaneously presenting an utterly breathtaking panorama. As you exit the claustrophobic clutches of the canyon, the road transforms, swapping tight corners for sweeping bends and dramatic rock faces for open, rolling Mendip countryside. It is this three-part journey—from the dramatic gorge ascent to the freer country flow—that has seen the B3135 consistently voted among the UK’s most scenic and engaging driving roads.
Geology: A Story of Ice and Water
The origins of Cheddar Gorge are a profound lesson in Earth’s history, spanning millions of years. The gorge is primarily cut into Carboniferous Limestone, laid down over 300 million years ago when the area was submerged beneath a warm, shallow tropical sea.
However, the dramatic chasm seen today was formed much more recently. Contrary to the misconception of a collapsed cavern, the gorge is an exhumed wadi—a valley cut by surface water flow, then left high and dry as the drainage disappeared underground. This process accelerated during the numerous cold, periglacial periods of the last 1.2 million years. During the Ice Ages, permafrost made the limestone impermeable. Glacial meltwater, unable to soak into the ground, was forced to flow on the surface, carving the canyon deeper with each successive cycle. In warmer interglacial periods, the water returned underground, creating the famous subterranean cave systems.
Attractions Above and Below
The natural grandeur of the B3135 drive is complemented by a wealth of attractions concentrated around the Cheddar village end of the gorge:
- The Cheddar Show Caves: The most famous are Gough’s Cave and Cox’s Cave. Gough’s Cave is renowned for its spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations, and for the discovery of “Cheddar Man,” Britain’s oldest near-complete human skeleton, estimated to be over 9,000 years old.
- Jacob’s Ladder & The Lookout Tower: For the intrepid, a climb of 274 steps up Jacob’s Ladder leads to the Lookout Tower, offering panoramic views across the gorge, the Mendip Hills, and the Somerset Levels. This is also the start of the Cliff-Top Walk, a three-mile circular trail that allows visitors to truly appreciate the gorge’s scale from above.
- The Gorge Ecosystem: The unique limestone environment is a haven for specialised flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for the rare and protected Cheddar Pink flower, which grows only in the wild here, and the feral goats and Soay sheep that nimbly navigate the rugged cliff faces.
Whether you’re an avid motorist seeking a thrilling drive, a geologist fascinated by natural history, or simply a visitor eager to explore one of Britain’s iconic landscapes, the Cheddar Gorge and the B3135 provide an unforgettable experience in the heart of Somerset.