Somerset: Cheddar Gorgeous!

Students will love Britain’s biggest, most spectacular gorge.  From the dramatic cliffs rising 450ft to the stunning stalactite caverns this world-famous site is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, reveals many fascinating stories of our prehistoric ancestors, and is an international centre for caving and rock climbing   This world-famous area is a treasure trove for History, Geography, Geology, Ecology, Business and Tourism students.  Marvel at the dramatic landscape whilst learning about its formation and the caves within it. The Horse Hunters of Cheddar Gorge lived in Gough’s Cave 14,700 years ago, at the end of the Ice Age.  The evidence suggests they were cannibals, killing and eating their enemies who were migrants from mainland Europe.  Students will love the stories about the Cheddar Man, a hunter-gatherer who lived around 9,000 years ago, was the oldest complete skeleton ever found in Britain. His odd behaviour, possibly due to brain damage from a blow to the head, caused his tribe to bury him in a twilight zone of the cave to prevent his spirit passing to the land of the ancestors. Recent advances in genetic research suggest the Cheddar Man had dark to black skin, blue eyes and curly hair. The remarkable genetic discovery has been documented recently on First Brit: Secrets of the 10,000 Year Old Man on Channel 4

You just don’t get this in the classroom.  Students will study the physical processes as well as the land use its impact on the economy and the changes in agriculture and industry.  Cheddar Gorge is truly a memorable learning experience.  Workshops are both interesting and challenging and ensure students maximise their learning by doing which will develop their understanding.

A great educational day out offering specialist talks, tours and demonstrations for primary, secondary and tertiary education. Suitable for those studying specific subjects or those looking to escape the classroom and experience this natural wonder first-hand. Many of the attractions cover a number of subject areas and so to make the most of your visit you might want a cross curricular approach.