Cheddar2017.doc-CarmarthenRamblers.docVIP

Walking at Cheddar in the Mendips Tuesday 16 May to Friday 19 May, 2017 Cheddar is a large village in Somerset where Cheddar Cheese has been produced since the 12th Century and to this day is still stored in the Cheddar Caves to mature. The main village has an assortment of shops, banks, and historic buildings while the Lower Gorge area includes the Cheddar Cheese factory and the Caves and Gorge tourist attraction owned and run by the Longleat Estate. The open countryside above and around the Gorge, is part owned by the National Trust and is within the boundary of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is also a wide expanse of flat land (The Levels) to the south of the village which is ideal for easy walking and cycling. Cheddar is a Walkers are Welcome village, but what makes it really special is its location at one end of the Cheddar Gorge on the edge of the Mendip Hills. Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom. At almost 400 feet deep and three miles long, and with its weathered crags and pinnacles, it is a spectacular natural sight. The gorge would have begun forming about one million years ago during the last Ice Age when water from melting glaciers formed a river which carved out the gorge. The Cheddar Yeo River gradually made its way underground, creating the famous Cheddar Caves. With many well-marked footpaths in the area, Cheddar makes a good base for a selection of both shorter and longer car-free walks. Getting There By car, it is a 120 mile drive to Cheddar via the M4, Severn Bridge, M5, and A371 to Cheddar, taking about 2 1/2 hours allowing for a rest stop. If you’d prefer to leave the car at home, it is apparently possible to make the journey by train/bus in about 5 hours (Daily trains from Carmarthen to Weston Super Mare train station, and then by bus #126 to Cheddar.) Walking Programme We plan to walk in the Cheddar area in May 2017 over four days. Three of the walks start in Cheddar, and we will use