Find a country cottage or holiday home in or near Cheddar for your Somerset holiday. Cheddar in the West Country is located inland within the Mendip Hills AONB, some 20 miles south west of Bristol. Although located in the countryside, this village is just a short easy drive from the coast. Cheddar is just 13 miles from the popular seaside resort of Weston super Mare and 12 miles from Burnham on Sea. With a cottage stay in Cheddar you can enjoy spending quality time both in the countryside and by the sea which is relatively easily accessible by car.
Advice on Cottage Holidays in Cheddar
Cheddar village itself has its own historic portfolio, having been important settlements for Romans and Saxons. Today it is a bustling tourist centre with good shopping and dining facilities.
Stay in Cheddar for the Perfect Excuse to eat Cheese on Holiday
The village of Cheddar is probably best known internationally for its two main attractions that are as different as chalk and cheese. The method of producing a certain type of English cheese originated at Cheddar village. History records production at Cheddar dating back to the 12th century and provides evidence of at least two kings, Henry II and Charles I purchasing cheese from Cheddar. This fascinating history means that Cheddar has some interesting attractions that you can visit whilst on a cottage holiday in this part of the country.
Cheddar Gorge is spectacular and a must see. Central to the production of cheese centuries ago was the maturing environment provided by the natural caves of Cheddar Gorge, some of which are still used for the cheese maturing process today. At this gorge nowadays you can visit a number of different caves and this area is a dedicated National Nature Reserve. The spectacular 3-mile gorge attracts visitors from all over the globe to its 450 feet high cliffs and its fascinating stalactite caverns. The gorge’s cliffs are the highest inland limestone cliffs in the UK and at the other end runs Britain’s largest underground river. Cheddar Gorge is a centre of scientific and historic interest. Found on the site has been numerous artefacts dating back 12-13,000 years. A most significant discovery was that of Cheddar Man, a 9,000 year-old complete skeleton. If archaeology and history are some of your favourite subjects then you’ll be in your element when visiting the caves, especially Gough’s cave and Cox’s cave.
And the museum of pre-history should be another venue worth a visit while at Cheddar Gorge. An open top bus tour is a great way to see the stunning sites or you can climb 247 steps to the lookout tower and enjoy the 3-mile cliff-top walk. The more adventurous might like to take advantage of caving or rock climbing facilities on offer.
Day trippers or longer stay visitors will find their days aren’t long enough to take in what is available in the immediate vicinity, let alone all the other attractions that are available not too far from Cheddar. Wookey Hole, Weston-Super-Mare, Wells and Burnham-on Sea are all within an easy car journey and recommended for day trips. Cheddar could therefore be an excellent base for a Somerset self-catering getaway.
Whether you choose to book a holiday cottage in Cheddar, an apartment, a lodge or another type of self-catering holiday accommodation, we hope you have your best holiday yet in Somerset.