🧀 Cheddar Gorge and Cheese Day Trip

################# This hike is now FULL. We’ve created a list of [FAQs](https://drive.google.com/file/d/12gIZWTLfA3zQsx1fb0lpv1zOWP2vC5tq/view?usp=drive_link) to help answer your questions. ################# Come and join us on a trip to one of the UK's most famous beauty spots! At 400ft (122m) deep and three miles (4.8km) long, Cheddar Gorge is England's largest gorge, boasting subterranean caverns with impressive displays of stalactites and stalagmites. Britain's oldest complete human skeleton, known as Cheddar Man, was found here, as was some extremely rare Ice Age art. Cheddar is also the birthplace of the world-famous Cheddar cheese. We're going to visit the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company – a family-owned, independent small artisan cheesemaker, that makes the only authentic Cheddar cheese in the world! Cheese is produced by hand, using traditional methods, such as using raw milk, traditional animal rennet, and a cloth wrapping. Of course, no visit would be complete without tasting the renowned authentic Cheddar cheese and purchasing some gifts for your friends and loved ones! TRIP HIGHLIGHTS • Enjoy a cliff-top walk around the famous Cheddar Gorge, with its weathered crags and pinnacles. There will be some rocky paths and stiff climbs, but all of your efforts will be well rewarded by the jaw-dropping beauty around you! • Explore mysterious chambers of Gough's and Cox's Caves, that are over 500,000 years old! Marvel at the incredible rock formations and the outstandingly beautiful chambers of St Paul’s Cathedral, Solomon’s Temple and Aladdin’s Cave. • See picturesque stalagmites and stalactites inside the caves. • Visit the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, and see how the only authentic Cheddar cheese is made! DISTANCE & DIFFICULTY Distance: 3 miles (5km). Ascent: 300m. Difficulty: [Easy](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BMjvqhAAdSeCdyzLPHs0z04_e2TiKdci/view). ITINERARY 07:45 Meet outside Hotel Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, W6 8DR (a five-minute walk from Hammersmith Station) 08:00 Sharp departure 11:15-13:30 Cheddar Gorge cliff-top walk 13:30-14:30 Lunch in Cheddar village 14:30-16:30 Visit the Cheddar Caves and Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company (the only Cheddar cheese made in Cheddar!) 19:30 London, Hammersmith TRANSPORT As on most of our trips, we'll travel in a comfortable 16-seater minibus. FOOD There is a wide selection of nice cafés and tearooms in Cheddar village where you can enjoy lunch. However, you are also welcome to bring your own packed lunch if you prefer. SAFETY The hike is led by an experienced, Outdoor First Aid qualified hike leader. THE PRICE OF £78 INCLUDES • Transport throughout the trip • Experienced, professional PSV minibus driver • Guiding on all hiking routes by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader • Professional event organisation • Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders • Admin fee • 20% VAT BOOKING To keep ticket prices down and avoid PayPal/Meetup fees (£7 extra per ticket), we kindly ask for payment by bank transfer. Please include your Meetup name and the trip as the payment reference (e.g. John Cheddar). As places are limited, we can hold your place for 24 hours. Business Account Name: London Social Hiking Limited Sort Code: 20-17-20 Account Number: 63116514 We'll let you know by changing your status to “Paid” as soon as the payment is cleared. You can check your status next to your name in the [attendees list](https://www.meetup.com/londonsocialhiking/events/315821912/attendees) of the event. You don’t need a paid Meetup subscription to do this – just close any pop-up windows and continue. THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE • Entrance ticket to Cheddar Caves (you can buy it on the day) HOW TO CONTACT US For all enquiries, please PM Anna (the main organiser) via Meetup. Alternatively, you can email us at info@lshiking.co.uk We'll usually get back to you within 4 hours. Your guide will be Anna (07596844467, only for use during the hike). Please get in…