Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar Gorge, gorge in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England. The area is characterized by limestone caverns, some of which have collapsed to form gorges. The Cheddar Gorge, 3 km (2 mi) long, with cliffs 130 m (427 ft) high, is the most spectacular limestone feature in the region. Below the gorge are the Cheddar Caves, which were formed by subterranean rivers (mainly by Cheddar Yeo) eroding the limestone bedrock and producing remarkable limestone formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. Nearby is the market town of Cheddar, a famous cheesemaking centre. It produces one of Great Britain's oldest and best known cheeses—the Cheddar cheese. Cheddar Gorge, together with the surrounding area, is a popular tourist destination. Important early human remains, dating back to the Stone Age, have been discovered there. The famous “Cheddar Man” is a Mesolithic skeleton (c. 9,000 years old) that was found in the area.