Cheddar Gorge hits you all at once. One moment you're driving through flat Somerset farmland. The next, the road drops between 450-foot limestone cliffs that rise vertically on both sides, and you're threading through a canyon that feels like it belongs in southern Utah, not southwest England.

The B3135 through Cheddar Gorge is only about a mile long. That's the first surprise — photographs make it look like an epic mountain road, but the gorge section is short and sharp. The second surprise is how tight the road is. Two cars can pass, but only just, and some of the bends are properly blind.

What the gorge lacks in length, it makes up for in sheer drama. It's Britain's largest gorge and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the road through it is unlike anything else in England.

Quick Reference: Cheddar Gorge (B3135)

Where Is Cheddar Gorge?

Cheddar Gorge cuts through the southern edge of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, about 20 miles south of Bristol. The village of Cheddar sits at the mouth of the gorge — yes, this is where cheddar cheese comes from.

From the M5, take junction 22 and head east on the A38, then south on the B3135 to reach Cheddar. From Bristol, the A38 south or the A368 via Blagdon both work.

The gorge itself runs roughly north-south, with the village at the southern end and the Mendip plateau at the top.

What Makes Cheddar Gorge Special?

Cheddar Gorge is a geological oddity in a country that doesn't really do gorges. Britain's landscape is generally gentle — rolling hills, broad valleys, soft coastlines. Cheddar is the exception: a genuine slot canyon carved by meltwater during the last ice age, with vertical cliffs rising directly from the roadside.

The scale is what gets you. Driving through, the cliffs tower above on both sides, close enough that you could almost touch them in places. Climbers hang from the rock face. Jackdaws wheel in the thermals between the walls. The light filters down into the gorge in a way that changes completely depending on the time of day and season.

As a Driving Road

Let's be clear: Cheddar Gorge is not a road where you're going to have a spirited driving experience during tourist hours. Coaches, pedestrians wandering across the road, parked cars, and 20 mph traffic make it more of a scenic crawl during peak times.

But early morning or off-season, when the gorge is empty, the road is a different thing entirely. The bends are tight and technically interesting — several are properly blind, curving around buttresses of rock with zero forward visibility. The road undulates over small crests and dips. The width changes constantly.

It's short, but it's intense. And the scenery is so dramatic that even at low speed, it's worth the drive.

For context on how gorge roads compare globally, our guide to canyon roads covers the broader category.

Section-by-Section: Driving Through the Gorge

Cheddar Village to the Gorge Entrance

Leaving Cheddar village northbound on the B3135, you pass through the commercial area — Cheddar Gorge Caves, shops, car parks, and the inevitable tourist infrastructure. The road is narrow and the 30 mph limit is appropriate.

The gorge entrance is unmistakable. The cliffs begin rising on both sides and the road narrows further. This is where the drive begins.

The Lower Gorge

The first section features the tallest cliffs and the tightest road. Several bends wrap around rock buttresses with near-zero visibility through the corner. You genuinely cannot see oncoming traffic until you're in the bend.

The road is wide enough for two cars but there's no margin. Mirrors almost touch when passing coaches. The speed here should be low regardless of conditions — the blind corners and potential for oncoming traffic demand it.

This is the most photogenic section. The cliffs are at their highest, the road is at its narrowest, and the sense of scale is enormous.

The Upper Gorge

As you climb, the gorge widens slightly and the corners open up. The gradient increases — nothing dramatic, but you're climbing steadily. The cliffs are still impressive but set back a little further from the road.

A few pullouts and viewpoints are accessible in this section. If you want to stop and look back down the gorge, this is the place.

The Plateau

The gorge ends abruptly as you reach the top of the Mendip plateau. The landscape opens from enclosed canyon to open grassland in a matter of metres. The contrast is striking.

A large car park at the top serves the gorge viewpoint and walking trails. From here, the B3135 continues across the Mendips toward Priddy and beyond.

Best Direction to Drive Cheddar Gorge

South to north (climbing out of Cheddar) is the better direction. You get the dramatic reveal — the cliffs rising around you as you enter the gorge — and the opening onto the Mendip plateau at the top.

Descending (north to south) is less dramatic as an experience, though it gives you the view down the gorge as you drop. The tight corners are slightly more demanding on the descent.

Best Time to Drive

The gorge is a completely different experience depending on when you visit. This matters more here than almost any other UK road.

• Peak season (April-September, weekends, school holidays): Expect coaches, tourist cars, pedestrians walking in the road, queuing for cave entrances, and general gridlock. The drive through will take 10+ minutes at walking pace. Not a driving experience — more of a scenic queue.
• Off-season weekday mornings (November-March, before 9am): The gorge can be completely empty. No traffic, no pedestrians, no coaches. The road is yours and the atmosphere is completely different — quiet, cold, and dramatic. This is when to drive it.
• Early summer mornings (May-June, before 8am): The best of both worlds. Long days mean good light, warm enough to enjoy, but early enough to beat the tourists.

Nearby Roads Worth Driving

Cheddar Gorge is short, so you'll want to extend the drive:

• Burrington Combe — 5 miles north, a smaller gorge that's less touristy and more fun to drive. Steeper, narrower, and generally empty. If Cheddar is the headline act, Burrington is the support that sometimes steals the show.
• Ebbor Gorge road — A narrow lane through another Mendip gorge, even quieter than Burrington.
• B3135 across the Mendips — Continue north from the gorge across the plateau to Priddy. Open, fast-ish B-road with good views.
• The Mendip Hills generally — The area between Wells, Cheddar, and Blagdon has a network of narrow lanes through limestone country that reward exploration.

For more UK driving destinations, the best driving roads in the UK guide covers the full range.

Hazards and Practical Tips

• Tourist traffic is the primary challenge. During peak hours, the gorge is extremely busy. Plan your timing carefully.
• Pedestrians regularly walk in the road, especially near the cave entrances. Some appear from between parked cars with no warning.
• Coaches use the road and take up most of it. If you meet one on a blind corner, someone has to reverse.
• Rock fall is possible — the cliffs are natural limestone and do shed debris. Don't park directly beneath overhanging sections.
• Cyclists use the gorge as a climb. The gradient isn't extreme but the road is narrow — give them room.
• Parking in the gorge is limited and charged during tourist hours. The car park at the top is usually easier.
• The road is well-surfaced but can be wet from run-off even when surrounding roads are dry. The cliffs channel water onto the road.

Rods can help when you're exploring the nearby Mendip B-roads, where blind corners through limestone cuttings are common and unfamiliar. The gorge itself is driven slowly enough that pace notes are less critical — but the surrounding network of lanes is exactly the kind of terrain where knowing the next corner's severity matters.

FAQ

Can you drive through Cheddar Gorge? Yes. The B3135 runs through the gorge and is a public road open to all traffic. There is no charge to drive through — the toll is only for the cave attractions and cliff-top walk.

How long does it take to drive through Cheddar Gorge? The gorge section is about 1.2 miles. In quiet conditions, it takes 3-4 minutes. During peak tourist times, it can take 10-15 minutes due to traffic, pedestrians, and coaches.

Is Cheddar Gorge worth visiting for the drive alone? If you time it right (early morning or off-season), absolutely. The scenery is dramatic and unlike anything else in England. During peak tourist hours, the drive is slow and congested — still scenic, but not a driving experience. Combine it with Burrington Combe and the Mendip B-roads for a full day out.

Is Cheddar Gorge dangerous to drive? The road itself is not dangerous if driven at appropriate speed. The main risks are tourist traffic, pedestrians in the road, and blind corners. In quiet conditions with attentive driving, it's straightforward. The 30-40 mph limit through the gorge is sensible.