Cheddar Gorge in Somerset

Have you seen the Wookey Hole caves?

Located 2 miles from the city of Wells in Somerset, the Wookey Hole Caves make for a fascinating, family day out. Wookey Hole is home to more than a stunning underground attraction. With a number of seasonal events and fun activities on-site, there is plenty to holidaymakers of all ages entertained. Read on to discover all there is to see and do at the Wookey Hole Caves.

The Wookey Hole Caves

The Wookey Hole Caves are a series of mysterious, limestone caves that have existed for many, many years. Evidence has been found in the caves that suggest they were once used by people of the Stone Age as places of shelter. You are guided through the caves by excellent tour guides who will tell you the story of how the Wookey Witch, believed to have caused all the wrong doings in the village, was turned to stone by the Abbot of Glastonbury who sent to exorcise her. You can still see her remains in a cavern known as ‘The Witch’s Kitchen.’ Many other artefacts have been found in the cave such as flint tools and bones of Ice Age animals such as mammoths, bears and lions revealing just how old these caves truly are. The caves are the main attraction here, but with your ticket you can see many other things at Wookey Hole included in the price. Open all year round, adult tickets are £18 and children are £12. However, be sure to book online for a great saving of 20%!

Paper Mill and Circus Show

When you have finished seeing the wonder of the caves, be sure to stop by Britain’s last surviving Victorian paper mill where you can watch an interesting film about the history of paper. Watch the skilled staff making paper the traditional way and even have a go yourself! The circus show at the end of the cave tour is a mesmerising addition to the Wookey experience and a bright, exhilarating contrast to the dark, damp caves. Performed by students in training, this show will take your breath-away as the acrobats show off their juggling, bungee, trapeze and wire walking talents. You would never guess they were all in training!

Seasonal Events and Other On-Site Attractions

Throughout the year, Wookey Hole host various seasonal events. Don’t miss Pirate Nights held in late summer where families can get involved in many pirate-themed fun and activities. Enjoy a pirate ‘banquet’ of delicious food with Captain Jack Sparrow, pirate golf, treasure hunts, pirate-themed circus and magic tricks! For more marauder madness, stop by Captain Jack’s Restaurant for dinner to re-fuel and try your hand at other various attractions on site including the Adventure Golf Course, Penny Arcade and Mirror Maze the whole family can enjoy.

During Halloween, you can also catch the Circus of Horrors show where you’ll see sword-swallowers, dare-devil acts and lots of creepy entertainment. It’s not for the faint-hearted! Tickets for this show are around £18 per seat. Other attractions include the prehistoric Valley of the Dinosaurs, where you can see 20 life-sized (and rather noisy) reptiles. Wander through the Fairy Garden and spot the fairies and elves playing. You may even see a dragon! Don’t forget the Cave Museum housing some interesting artefacts found in the caves upon its discovery including daggers, tools, animal bones and even the almost complete skeleton of an old woman! These attractions at Wookey Hole Caves provide a day out suitable for adults and children of all ages.

Cheddar Cheese!

The Wookey Caves are at a constant temperature of 11 degrees Celsius, providing the perfect humidity for maturing cheese! During your tour of the caves, you’ll be guided to the cheese cavern, an informative (but sometimes smelly!) look into one of the oldest traditions of the caves that has only recently been revived. Farmhouse Cheddar was first stored in these caves over 400 years ago. The local people of the West Country are delighted that the tradition has returned giving their cheese the ideal combination of flavour and texture that makes Farmhouse Cheddar so special.

If you want to continue learning more about the area’s history of cheese, visit the village of Cheddar, also in Somerset, to see the popular Cheddar Gorge. You can find online discounts on tickets which will provide a brilliant cave tour, access to the gorge museum, a bus top tour and a place on the Crystal Quest. For braver holidaymakers, you can even try out a bit of rock climbing or abseiling. Just don’t look down! Car parking is available here along with other good facilities.

A visit to the Wookey Hole Caves is well worth a stop! You’ll be left in awe at the sight of the wondrous caves with their shimmering rock pools while kids will have non-stop fun at the site’s many other attractions. With excellent camping and caravan parks nearby in Somerset and the surrounding area, there is plenty to do here for an excellent day out or even a longer family break away. The Wookey Hole Caves are easily reached by car from Junction 22 off the M5 and there is plenty of parking available on and near to this famous attraction.

This article was last updated on October 26, 2013
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