Ebbor Gorge and Wookey Hole

Ebbor Gorge

Ebbor Gorge is now a nature reserve protected by English Nature. It includes three trails which wander through the woodlands, one of them going up the limestone gorge itself. There are a few mounds at the top of the gorge, and some of the caves in the area were occupied by neolithic people. It is easy to imagine ancient people here. The view over Mid-Somerset from the craggy rock at the top of the gorge path is inspiring.

Wookey Hole

Wookey Hole is a tourist cave on the southern edge of the limestone Mendip Hills, formed by the erosive action of the River Axe. Especially famous is the Witch of Wookey Hole - a roughly human-shaped rock stalagmite, reputedly turned to stone by a monk from Glastonbury. The caves, at a constant 11° C, have been used by humans for around 50,000 years. The caves are acessible with guided tours only, most days of the year. In former times the river valley below the cave would have been a special local sanctuary. Nowadays it houses a paper mill and tourist complex.