Lookout

The Lookout towers above Cheddar Gorge like a Victorian sentinel, and on a clear day the views justify the climb. You're standing on high ground that commands the entire gorge - the massive limestone cliffs drop away beneath you, and on good visibility you can see right across the Somerset Levels toward the Bristol Channel. It's genuinely breath-taking.

What you're actually doing is walking up to a viewpoint platform - nothing complicated, but the path can be steep in sections so factor in proper shoes and a decent pair of lungs. The surrounding moorland is open and windswept, which adds to the sense of elevation. Most people spend 30 minutes to an hour here depending on whether they're the stopping-to-look-at-the-view type or the photo-and-on-you-go type.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a destination on its own - you'll want to combine it with the gorge itself and the caves below in Cheddar proper, which sits less than a mile away. If you're camping at one of the nearby sites like Cheddar Bridge or Owley Woods Glamping, the Lookout makes an easy morning outing before you tackle the gorge properly. Families with younger children might find the walk a bit of a slog for what's essentially a viewpoint, though determined kids aged 8 and up will manage it fine.

No facilities up there, so bring water. The access appears to be free, though it's worth checking locally when you arrive. Weather-dependent absolutely - fog rolls in fast here and ruins the whole point of coming.