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The Cheddar Gorge scenic drive is one of the finest short drives in Britain. The B3135, known as Cliff Road, twists through England’s deepest gorge between limestone cliffs up to 453 feet tall, and in 2018 it was named the best driving road in the country. It sits at the heart of the Mendip Hills, just 35 minutes from Bristol, in some of the most rewarding touring country in the South West. This guide covers the famous gorge road plus the best drives across the wider Mendips, from Burrington Combe to the cathedral city of Wells. A hire car is the perfect way to explore it all, and Bristol Airport is the natural gateway.
The Cheddar Gorge and Mendips Drives at a Glance
If you only have time for one drive, make it the gorge road itself, the B3135 through Cheddar Gorge. But the wider Mendips reward a full day or two of touring. Here are the best Cheddar Gorge and Mendips drives at a glance, with distance and difficulty so you can match a route to your time.
| Drive | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| The Cheddar Gorge scenic drive (B3135) | Approx 14 miles | Moderate, steep, twisting |
| Burrington Combe (B3134) | Approx 3 miles | Easy to moderate |
| Cheddar to Wells | Approx 9 miles | Easy |
| Wookey Hole and Ebbor Gorge | Approx 6 miles | Easy, narrow lanes |
| The high Mendips: Priddy and Black Down | Approx 12 miles | Moderate, exposed |
| The southern scarp: Cheddar to Shepton Mallet | Approx 15 miles | Easy to moderate |
What You Need to Know Before Driving Cheddar Gorge and the Mendips
IMPORTANT: The Cheddar Gorge scenic drive is steep, narrow and twisting, especially at the top of the gorge, and it gets very busy with tourists, cyclists, buses and walkers in summer. Take it slowly, watch for the resident feral goats and Soay sheep on the cliffs and road, and never stop on the carriageway. The wider Mendips lanes are narrow with passing places.
The UK drives on the left. The best direction for the Cheddar Gorge scenic drive is to come down through the gorge from the top (east to west towards Cheddar village), when the cliffs reveal themselves most dramatically, though driving up is just as rewarding. The road can occasionally close after heavy rain or rockfall, so check before you set off in winter.
Parking in Cheddar village and at the gorge is limited and busy in peak season, so arrive early and use the official car parks. Fuel up in Cheddar, Wells or Axbridge before a long day on the Mendips lanes. For visitor information, see the Mendip Hills National Landscape (opens in new tab) and the UK government driving pages (opens in new tab).
Drive 1: The Cheddar Gorge Scenic Drive (B3135)
This is the main event. The B3135, or Cliff Road, runs for around 14 miles with 22 bends, and the most dramatic stretch climbs through the gorge itself between sheer limestone cliffs up to 453 feet high, the deepest gorge in England. Named the best driving road in the UK in 2018, it is a genuinely thrilling Cheddar Gorge scenic drive, tight and twisting at the top before opening out across the rolling Mendip plateau towards Priddy and Ashwick.
Start in Cheddar village, famous as the home of Cheddar cheese, where you can tour the show caves and the cliff-top walk. Then drive up through the gorge, pulling over safely at the marked viewpoints such as Lion Rock to take in the scale of the cliffs. Watch for the feral goats that graze the rock faces. It is short, spectacular and unforgettable, the finest stretch of road in the Mendips.
Drive 2: Burrington Combe
On the northern side of the Mendips, Burrington Combe is often described as a quieter, less touristy Cheddar Gorge. The B3134 climbs through this limestone gorge with its own dramatic rock faces and far less traffic, making it one of the most enjoyable Mendips drives. It was here, at the Rock of Ages, that the hymn of that name is said to have been written when the Reverend Augustus Toplady sheltered from a storm.
From the top of the Combe you can continue across the high moorland of Black Down, the highest point of the Mendips, with sweeping views towards the Bristol Channel and Wales. It pairs beautifully with the gorge drive for a figure-of-eight day across the hills.
Drive 3: Cheddar to Wells
A short, easy drive of around nine miles links Cheddar with Wells, England’s smallest city. The route runs along the southern edge of the Mendips with the Somerset Levels stretching away to your right, a lovely contrast of hills and flat wetland. Wells itself is a gem, dominated by its magnificent medieval cathedral, the moated Bishop’s Palace and the cobbled Vicars’ Close, the oldest residential street in Europe.
It is an easy, gentle drive, perfect for combining the drama of the gorge with a relaxed afternoon exploring a historic city. Park in Wells and explore the cathedral green on foot before driving on into the hills.
Drive 4: Wookey Hole and Ebbor Gorge
Just a few miles from Wells, the lanes lead to Wookey Hole, a spectacular show cave carved by the River Axe and steeped in the legend of the Witch of Wookey. Nearby, the wooded ravine of Ebbor Gorge, sometimes called a mini Cheddar, is a peaceful National Nature Reserve of limestone cliffs and ancient woodland, far quieter than its famous neighbour.
The drive between them runs through narrow, hedge-lined lanes that are a delight in their own right, though they call for a careful pace. This is one of the gentlest Mendips drives, ideal for combining a cave visit with a woodland walk, and a lovely complement to the bigger gorge drive.
Drive 5: The High Mendips, Priddy and Black Down
For the wildest, most open driving in the area, head up onto the high Mendip plateau around Priddy, the highest village in Somerset and the heart of its caving country. The lanes cross exposed limestone grassland scattered with ancient barrows and famous cave systems such as Swildon’s Hole. Black Down, at around 325 metres, is the highest point of the Mendips, with views on a clear day to the Bristol Channel and South Wales.
This is bleak, beautiful upland driving, a complete contrast to the dramatic enclosure of the gorge. The roads are quiet but exposed, so take care in poor weather. It rounds out the variety that makes the Mendips such a rewarding place to drive.
Drive 6: The Southern Scarp, Cheddar to Shepton Mallet
Following the southern foot of the Mendips, this longer drive of around 15 miles links Cheddar with the old market town of Shepton Mallet, passing through pretty villages such as Westbury-sub-Mendip and Croscombe. To one side rise the hills, to the other spread the Somerset Levels, and the route is dotted with cider farms, churches and country pubs.
It is an easy, rolling drive that shows the softer, agricultural side of the Mendips, the country that produces the cheese and cider the region is famous for. Combine it with the gorge drive for a full and varied day exploring the hills.
Hiring a Car for Your Cheddar Gorge Scenic Drive
The Mendips are wonderfully accessible, and a hire car is the best way to explore them. The nearest major airport is Bristol, only about 35 minutes from Cheddar, which makes the Cheddar Gorge scenic drive one of the easiest great drives in the country to reach. For everything you need on collecting a car, the suppliers and the best rates, see our guide to car hire in Bristol and at Bristol Airport.
A smaller car is easier on the steep, narrow gorge road and the tight Mendips lanes. Wherever you are heading in Britain, our UK car hire guide compares all the major suppliers in one search, with insurance and taxes included. Compare deals below and start planning your Cheddar Gorge scenic drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drive through Cheddar Gorge?
Yes. The Cheddar Gorge scenic drive follows the B3135, or Cliff Road, which runs right through the gorge between the towering limestone cliffs. It is a public road, around 14 miles long with 22 bends, and was named the best driving road in the UK in 2018. It is steep and twisting at the top, so take it slowly and watch for cyclists, walkers and the resident goats.
How long does the Cheddar Gorge scenic drive take?
Driving the Cheddar Gorge scenic drive without stopping takes around 30 to 40 minutes, but you will want longer to stop at the viewpoints, explore Cheddar village and the caves, and take photographs. To enjoy the wider Mendips drives too, including Burrington Combe, Wells and Wookey Hole, allow a full day or two.
Which way is best to drive Cheddar Gorge?
Many drivers prefer to come down through the gorge from the top, heading west towards Cheddar village, as the cliffs reveal themselves most dramatically on the descent. Driving up from the village is equally enjoyable. Either way, keep your speed low on the steep, twisting top section and use the marked viewpoints rather than stopping on the road.
Is Cheddar Gorge worth visiting by car?
Absolutely. The drive through the gorge is one of the most spectacular short drives in Britain, and the surrounding Mendip Hills offer days of varied touring, from Burrington Combe to the cathedral city of Wells. With a hire car you can link the gorge, the caves, the villages and the high moorland at your own pace.
Which airport is best for Cheddar Gorge?
Bristol Airport is by far the best gateway, only about 35 minutes from Cheddar Gorge, with all the main car hire suppliers on site. It makes the Cheddar Gorge scenic drive one of the most easily reached great drives in the country. See our car hire Bristol guide for details.
Plan Your Cheddar Gorge and Mendips Road Trip
From the soaring cliffs of the gorge to the quiet beauty of Burrington Combe, the caves of Wookey Hole and the cathedral city of Wells, the gorge road and the wider Mendips pack an extraordinary variety of landscapes into a small area, all within 35 minutes of Bristol. It is one of the most accessible and rewarding driving destinations in the South West.
Pick up a hire car at Bristol, point it south towards the hills, and the Mendips are yours. Compare car hire deals below and start planning your Cheddar Gorge scenic drive.
Exploring more of the South West? Take a look at our Cornwall scenic drives guide.