Or is it the kind of place Nans like to go?

I have seen a holiday home in Cheddar, Somerset but I don’t know what it’s like. I know it has the gorge but is there anything else going on there?

If anyone has any other recs, we are in our 30s with a 2 year old and a dog. We like nice walks and good food options and lots of places for days out. We have done the Lake District and love it there so looking for something similar. A dog friendly beach within a 30 min drive would be nice.

45 comments

  1. It’s a decent base to explore from, short(ish) drive to Weston or Brean for a “beach”.

    Plus you can visit Bristol, Glastonbury, Bath, Wells and many other quaint little towns

  2. That part of a Somerset is a great place to visit. The Mendip Hills are good for walking, Glastonbury is worth a day with the abbey, Bath too, and if the coast is your thing then Weston-Super-Mare or the North Quantocks coast are in striking distance. Exmoor is also doable, as would Longleat, Stonehenge and Salisbury Plain.

    Cheddar gorge is great to visit, the cave is interesting and the gorge worth a day’s walking – it matches the Lake District in terms of how dramatic it is. Cheddar itself is otherwise unremarkable, but would be fine as a base. If you could stay in Glastonbury or Wells at the same price it’d probably be better, to be honest, but I can imagine your money would go further in Cheddar and it’s nice enough.

  3. I started in a campsite near there and enjoyed it well enough. There are good walks in the area, the Mendip Hills have a bunch of signposted walks. There’s the gorge with the caves and some of it is a bit touristy but overall I liked it. Wookey Hole is not far either and that’s more cheesy but I think fun for kids.

  5. This probably wouldn’t be very dog friendly but you can go caving there and I’m pretty sure that there aren’t any nans hanging out in those caverns!

  10. The gorge is of course wonderful but has been spoilt by utterly bizarre choices of establishments at the bottom of it, such as a derelict walkabout style bar, arcades and tat shops. There is only one establishment of the bottom of the gorge that sells authentic cheddar which is cave aged, the rest use loopholes and marketing tactics to give the impression of authentic cheddar. At the top of the gorge, you are likely to find car chavs having meets and pissing about with their cars.

    TLDR; it’s like Weston but inland.

  11. Having lived in Somerset for most of my life it’s easy to take it for granted but it really is a lovely county.

  12. There’s a reservoir walk, some caves some hiking routes, a little village shop area as well

  14. Stayed in Wells a week or so ago and visited Cheddar. Bit of a tourist trap. The caves are a rip-off, only one of them is really worth visiting and everything else is probably to make the entry price seem worth it. But you can do some lovely walks along the gorge cliffs and there’s lots of good walking in the rest of the Mendip hills too.

    I’d also really recommend Wells. Lovely tiny city, lots of great restaurants and beautiful cathedral.

  15. The gorge is alright, but tourist trappy. Walk up from black rock at the top with your dog for the afternoon, that’s quite nice and quieter!

    Plenty to do in the surrounding areas really if you used cheddar as a base, Glastonbury tor, walk through the town too.

    Blagdon lake is quite a nice walk with a dog, reports of blue algae and angry fishermen so best to keep dog in a lead.

    Plenty of nice pubs in the area

    The crown at Churchill is one of our favs

  16. I’ve been, there is some caves to go and have a look around. It’s quite a nice place.

  19. If you go to the caves buy your ticket at the door after 3pm, or maybe it’s 3:30? Either way, it’s half price after that time and still plenty of time to see it all.

    The town of cheddar itself is pretty run down, but still a nice place to visit/experience.

    Plenty of other places nearby to go like others have mentioned.

  20. The Mendip Activity Centre is nearby and there’s loads to do there: skiing, tobogganing, archery. I just completed a ski course there and my husband would take our son on bike rides while I did my lesson. Cheddar itself is lovely, prehistoric caves, nice cafes, plenty of good walks.

  22. I think the caves are the best bit, amazing features, and easy to access too , if you like that kinda thing.

  23. Yeah it’s quite nice I went with my family (I am in early 20s so not a nan) and I enjoyed it, lots of nice walks and views

  24. It’s a really lovely area. Quiet country village. It’s cosy but there isn’t too much going on I’ll be honest.

  25. Cheddar itself is a bit shit.

    But it’s not a bad base. You’ve got a few touristy things, you’re not far from the Mendips, Bath, Bristol and Brean – all of which have their charms.

  26. I’m not a Nan but I’m that age and I would certainly recommend the whole area and I first visited when I was younger than you are now (although it IS possible I was born middle-aged). I am a (fairly) proud north-west native but if I had to move anywhere else in the country it would be to Somerset.

  27. Obviously plenty of options for amazing walks on the Mendips. The levels are beautiful too. Glastonbury if you want to see the weirdest, new age Town in the UK. There are some lovely touristy towns nearby. Wells is nice. Wookey hole is nearby too. Nearest beach would be Burnham on sea. Not 100% on dog friendly though, you’d have to check.

  29. Yep I live ten minutes away. A wholesome place, lots of walks, and Bath/Bristol/Wells/Weston/Glastonbury are all very drivable. Definitely visit Glasto while you’re down! 20 minute drive. A really lovely area to holiday and plenty of places to eat and picnic

  30. Drove through Cheddar and Cheddar Gorge ( too busy to stop) on a Saturday in early March. Cheddar itself was so busy. Pavements were packed.
    Drive on to the Gorge however and there is plenty of parking and walks.

  33. I live near Cheddar.

    The gorge is kind of ok, but apart from that there is absolutely nothing of interest.

  34. The gorge is beautiful, the surrounding area is really scenic – Wells just down the road being a really good example of somewhere quintessentially British – but Cheddar itself is a bit dull and ugly

  37. I went there in march as a 19 yr old female. Cheddar gorge is interesting but do be careful the floor is wet and sometimes slippy but looks really cool. There is a christmas shop open all year round and many small shops. I bought things like homemade soap and fudge and bath bombs made by small businesses so plenty to buy. Of course theres the cheese and you get a lot of info about it in cheddar gorge. Not much for young kids to do but if you stayed in the haven holiday park just down the road theres plenty for young kids to do. Hope this helps!!

  38. Yes. Cheddar is a lovely place to visit. As another person said, Somerset is full of interesting places. Glastonbury for the Abbey, the Tor and the Chalice well, Wells (Hot Fuzz town and a beautiful cathedral) the Mendips, Wookey Hole, Barrow Mump etc are all lovely to visit and go walking etc. I’ve just got back from visiting family in Somerset and I love it every time I go.

  39. Nice enough area, worth visiting. Downside is it is very well known and accessible, so gets rammed on nice days. Some attractions are gimmicky tourist traps.

    If you liked the Lakes and the look of Cheddar Gorge, have you considered the Highlands? Long drive even without a two year old, but it’s the most scenic part of the British Isles, with more and better mountains. Plenty of walks with better land access, and lots of beaches and coastline. You can spend a fortnight on Skye easily and still want to come back.

  41. It’s awesome. Got everything Cheddar has to offer. Glastonbury Tor & abbey down the road. Chalise well also. Wookey Hole Caves. Brean Down Fort. Incredible walks over the Quantocks. Wells City Cathedral/bishops Palace&moat. (also where Hot fuzz was filmed) Clarks village is NOT worth visiting in my opinion. And Street itself has nothing to offer other than that. Definitely worth popping to Rogers Cider farm down Mudgley. Have fun

  42. Yes for a day if you park at the top of the Gorge in one of the few free car parking areas, walk down the Gorge along the cliff top, have a quick look around the bottom, then walk back to the car.

    Perhaps have a tea and cake at the bottom. It’s a nice pleasant walk.

  43. Cheddar Gorge is pretty epic, it’s great walking through and gazing up and you can also see the view from above. You’ll always see/ hear boy racers drifting at speed through the gorge though, even more so in the evening/night.

  44. It’s amazing. They have freaky caves, tasty cheese, an open top bus thing and you’ve got Wookey Hole nearby. Lovely vibe. Only downside is a 300% increased likelihood to encounter white people with dreadlocks.

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