Our route south from Bath took us through Cheddar Gorge and the town of Cheddar. It is a modest but picturesque gorge, with sheer cliffs on one side, and is home to a busy tourist operation based around limestone caves found there. There is also the cheese, of course.
 |
| Cafes around the caves in Cheddar Gorge. |
 |
| The entrance to Gough's Cave, discovered by him in the 1800's. |
 |
| "Cheddar Man" was found in the cave, and dated at 9,000 years old! |
The remains of Cheddar Man were found in the cave in 1903. In 1997 researchers were able to analyse some of his DNA, and then went on to identify a number of locals who are direct descendants, so whose families have lived in this area for 9,000 years! They must like it here.
 |
| There is some cheddar maturing in the cave, but I think that's just for the tourists... |
 |
| The route through the cave has been fully tamed, with steps and handrails. |
 |
| These deposits have been dated at 500,000 years old. |
 |
| After the cave we climbed to the top of the gorge. |
 |
| The view from above the gorge, south over Somerset. |
 |
| And you can take away some cheddar if you wish. |
