Mirror Pool
The two main Cheddar caves open to the public are on the southside of the Gorge, owned by Longleat Estate. The extensive Gough's Cave and the smaller Cox's Cave, are both named after their respective discoverers. Both are known for their geology, and it has been suggested that the caves were the site of prehistoric cheese-making. Gough's cave, which was discovered in 1903, leads around 400 m (437 yd) into the rock-face, and contains a variety of large rock chambers and formations. Cox's Cave, discovered in 1837, is smaller but contains many intricate formations.
The Gorge's many caves are home to colonies of Greater and Lesser horseshoe bats.
These caves are the inspirations for the caves behind Helm's Deep in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers.
Mirror Pool
The two main Cheddar caves open to the public are on the southside of the Gorge, owned by Longleat Estate. The extensive Gough's Cave and the smaller Cox's Cave, are both named after their respective discoverers. Both are known for their geology, and it has been suggested that the caves were the site of prehistoric cheese-making. Gough's cave, which was discovered in 1903, leads around 400 m (437 yd) into the rock-face, and contains a variety of large rock chambers and formations. Cox's Cave, discovered in 1837, is smaller but contains many intricate formations.
The Gorge's many caves are home to colonies of Greater and Lesser horseshoe bats.
These caves are the inspirations for the caves behind Helm's Deep in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers.