Cheddar - Gough's Cave & Square

Navigating The Route

This is a looping Treasure Hunt around Cheddar, Gough's Cave and the square, with Explorers helping Marcy Pony recover her secret Cheddar cheese recipe after Gordon Zola stole it and hid it somewhere in Cheddar.

The quest covers just under 2 1/2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll set off from the entrance to Gough's Cave in Cliff Road, head downhill through the famous Cheddar Gorge and attractions area, follow footpaths and lanes, explore a park, investigate Union Street and the Market Cross, visit the Parish Church of St Andrews and loop back to finish in the Cheddar area near where you started.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The route is described as fairly level and ideal for wheelchair and pushchair users, although the pavement runs out in places, one bridge has no pavement, and you may need to deviate from paths in the cemetery.

Take care at several road crossings, including a zebra crossing and roads where traffic can be busy. Take great care on the bridge because there is no pavement - stay well behind the yellow line and supervise children closely. The route also goes near water. At the Parish Church of St Andrews, if the front gate is locked, use the side entrance on Wesley Mews.

Getting There

By car: Start your expedition at the entrance to Gough's Cave in Cliff Road (BS27 3QF). There is plenty of parking available nearby for your expedition vehicle.

By public transport: Make your way to the entrance to Gough's Cave in Cliff Road (BS27 3QF) to begin the quest. The route loops back and finishes back in the Cheddar area, ending near where it started.

Need the Loo?

Explorers have two useful comfort stops on this quest - toilets are at Clue 02 and again near the end.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

If you're bringing four-legged Explorers, keep them close throughout the adventure. 🐾

The route includes footpaths, lanes, road crossings, places where the pavement runs out, a bridge with no pavement, a park, cemetery paths and sections near water. You may also often see feral goats and rare Soay sheep scrambling around the gorge escarpments, so leads and close supervision are sensible.

Food & Drink Stops

Secret cheese-recipe recovery is hungry work. There are a few chances to stop for refreshments at the start, and a shop at Clue 11 if your treasure-hunting supplies need a boost.

If you're packing your own provisions, you can picnic at the park after Clue 05 or at Clue 19.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Cheddar Gorge

The route takes you through the famous Cheddar Gorge and attractions area, so there's plenty of extra atmosphere for Explorers who like their quests with dramatic scenery. Keep your eyes peeled for feral goats and the rare Soay sheep scrambling around the gorge escarpments. The sheep were introduced to help manage the ecology of the gorge, and they are counted every year to understand their impact on the vegetation.

The Park

The Trail passes through a park with a play park and a path through it, making it a handy breather for Mini Explorers. It's also one of the picnic options after Clue 05, so it works well as a refuelling stop before Gordon Zola's hiding place gets any closer.

The Parish Church of St Andrews

The quest visits the churchyard at the Parish Church of St Andrews. If the front gate is locked, try the side entrance on Wesley Mews. While you're there, seek out a plaque dedicated to Margaret Scourse inside or at the church.

Union Street and the Market Cross

As the route turns into Union Street, look out for the building on the right with the clock face. It was constructed in 1858 as a Literary and Scientific Institute, with a reading room and library on the top floor. Nearby, the Market Cross was built in the 1600s as a covered trading area - a proper slice of Cheddar history to enjoy once the clues stop demanding your full attention.

Rotary Garden

The route enters the gardens on the left to look for a plaque to the Rotary Garden, with a reference to Arvicola Terrestris and Ken in the gardens too. It's a small but intriguing extra pause for Explorers who enjoy spotting the little local details tucked into a place.