Attracting about 500,000 visitors a year, southwest England's spectacular Cheddar Gorge makes a wonderful daytrip destination, guaranteed to delight lovers of the great outdoors. The limestone gorge, located at the southern end of the Mendip Hills near the village of Cheddar in Somerset, has been named Britain's 'second-greatest natural wonder' (after the Dan yr Ogof caves in Wales), and plays host to a variety of attractions and activities. For the cost of admission, visitors gain access to the exciting Cliff-Top Gorge Walk; the spellbinding Gough's Cave, full of stalagtites and stalagmites; and the Museum of Prehistory, where the oldest skeleton in Britain - the 'Cheddar Man', who is believed to be about 9,000 years old - can be viewed. There's also a thrilling Crystal Quest feature, which is sure to delight the young ones, consisting of a cave filled with models of mythical and magical beings. A highly recommended tourist attraction, Cheddar Gorge makes a wonderful day excursion for visitors to southwest England.

Address: Near Cheddar, in Somerset

E-mail: info@cheddargorge.co.uk

Website: www.cheddargorge.co.uk

Telephone: (0)1934 742343

Transport: Train to Temple Meads station in Bristol, and then bus to Weston-super-Mare

Opening times: Open daily, from 10.30am to 5pm for most of the year, and from 10am to 5.30pm over Easter, in May, during the Whitsun School Holidays, and from July to August

Admission: £18.50 (adults), £12 (children 5-15), Free for children under 5 years of age. Note that tickets are cheaper if you book them online