Cheese, Hiking and Caving - Cheddar Gorge Adventure

CHEDDAR GORGE

Cheddar Gorge is England’s version of the Grand Canyon (of course to scale!), and the enchanting, twisting cleft in the Mendip Hills demands exploration. It was voted Britain’s second greatest natural wonder in a Radio Times poll and the country’s oldest skeleton was also found there, as was a popular type of cheese, of course.

CAVING

If you are up for a physical challenge & seeking the thrill of adventure - this challenge is for you. Experience the excitement of ‘real’ caving deep inside the Mendip Hills, led by a British Caving Association trained Caving Leader, through a system of ‘wild’ caves beyond the well-lit caverns of Gough’s cave. This will be a 90 minute adventure.

FOR DETAILED INFORMATION WITH PICTURES OF THE TRIP CLICK HERE

What will we do?

We will be caving, hiking on a spectacular cliff top walk, learning about cheddar production and of course trying some local food.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1: July 26th, Friday

Train from London Paddington to Weston Super Mare and meeting in the hostel. Transport to the Youth Hostel from Weston Super mare station is not included.

Day 2: July 27th, Saturday

Breakfast

HIKE (national trust trail)

This is a moderate 4-mile (6km) route along paths. Several stiles and kissing gates, rough

walking in sections and some steep climbs. Spectacular views and a varied community of

specialised plants and wildlife, you’ll get the chance to spot on this exhilarating circular

walk.

VISIT GLASTONBURY AND GLASTONBURY TOR and a visit to the Abbey (said to be the final resting place of King Arthur and Lady Guinevere) and then a walk around the town.

VISIT WELLS - SHORT EVENING WALK & THEN DINNER

Wells is a medieval city nestling on the southern side of the Mendip Hills with the mystic Somerset Levels stretching away to the south and west. The history of Wells goes right back to Roman times when we know that there was a settlement, probably because of the springs that bubble up here. Wells gets its name from these springs which can today be found in the gardens of the Bishop's Palace. Wells is the smallest city in England with about 12,000 inhabitants. It can call itself a city because of the famous 13th century Cathedral. 

Day 3: July 28th, Sunday

Breakfast

10:00 – 11:45 - VISIT THE CHEDDAR CHEESE COMPANY 

During our visit we will see the genuine magic of the transformation of how fresh raw milk turns into curds and whey. 

We'll be able to watch parts of the authentic cheese making process as well as viewing the packing room, where the cheese is portioned and prepared for sale.  A continuous DVD (approx 17mins ) shows the whole process from beginning to end. Detailed information on each stage is displayed on the walls.

11:45 – 12:10 - free time

12:30 – 14:00 - CAVES AND CAVING 

This is an introduction to Caving. The minimum age is 11 years, the minimum height is 4’8” (142cm) and the maximum waist size is 40” (101.6cm).

Your journey begins at the ‘Black Cat’, a quarter of a mile inside one of Europe’s finest show caves. Then an easy climb to the Mushroom Chamber, crawl into Sand Chamber, lifeline down a 40ft steel ladder into Boulder Chamber, climb up to the Far Rift, emerge through April fool’s squeeze, clip into a wire traverse, crawl across the top of Boulder Chamber and then over the ‘Bottomless Pit’, before returning through Sand Chamber, to the tourist show cave again.

EQUIPMENT 

We provide you with helmets, karabiners, caving lights, boiler suits & Wellington (rubber) boots. We suggest that you wear your old clothes (e.g. T-shirt & joggers)

Our unique safety features, including fixed ladders, an underground telephone, first aid supplies & ‘backup’ staff close by, make Cheddar Caves the perfect choice for your very first caving expedition.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THE CAVING THERE'S ALSO AN OPTION OF A TRIP AROUND THE AREA AND SIGHTSEEING DURING THE 2 HOURS WE'LL BE OCCUPIED IN THE CAVES 

14:00 – 14:15 - return to Cheddar

14:15 onwards - lunch and return to station or drive back to London

COST

£189 

What`s included:

· two nights’ accommodation in a hostel in YHA Cheddar

· breakfasts and packed lunches

· caving on Sunday

· Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company visit

· Cheddar Gorge hike

· Visit to Glastonbury Tor & Glastonbury and Evening in Wells

What's excluded:

· transport (approx cost of travel to locations, Glastonbury / Wells / Caves is £15 per person for the week-end)

· dinners 

· Entry fees to places in Glastonbury (such as the Abbey)

Please make payment to:

CKAC

account number: 41764527

sort code: 40-09-25

ref: Your name / trip name

Then email us at: admin@curiouskatsadventures.com your 

(1) Full name

(2) Mobile / WhatsApp Number

Cancellations:

Please note that unless the trip is cancelled the payments are non-refundable as the costs need to be paid in advance. However, you may be able to sell your place to your friends or other group members