Withyhill Cave

A tight squeeze leads into this modest cave system near Mells, and honestly, that's half the adventure. You'll need to crouch through the entrance - not one for claustrophobes - but once inside, the limestone cavern opens up enough to stand and poke around. The formations aren't spectacular by Mendips standards, but there's something satisfying about discovering it yourself rather than queuing behind school groups at the tourist-trap caves.

Withyhill works best for walkers exploring the surrounding countryside rather than as a standalone destination. The cave itself takes maybe 20 minutes to explore properly, so you'd want to combine it with a decent ramble through the Mells valley. Families with older kids will manage fine, though younger children might find the entrance passage intimidating. It's free to visit and there's no formal access control, though the landowner's permission is technically required - best to be sensible about it.

Stay at Glamping on the Hill just down the road and you're perfectly positioned to tick this off as part of a wider walking holiday. The Somerset countryside around here is genuinely lovely, with proper stone villages and decent pubs. The cave won't blow your mind, but it's the sort of thing that makes a weekend in this area feel like proper exploration rather than ticking boxes. Go when it's dry - a wet cave entrance is miserable.