B3135-Cheddar Gorge is one of Britain's most scenic drives
England, europe
23 km
138 m
hard
Year-round
Cruising the B3135 through Cheddar Gorge is an absolute must-do if you're anywhere near the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. This road, also known as Cliff Road, slices right through a stunning part of Somerset, deep inside Cheddar Gorge – the UK's largest gorge and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Imagine limestone cliffs carved by glaciers, soaring nearly 400 feet high for three whole miles!
This 14-mile (23km) stretch of road has a wild 22 bends linking Cheddar to Ashwick. Without stops, expect the drive to take around 30-40 minutes, but be prepared for some traffic. Keep an eye out for tour buses, farm vehicles, the occasional flock of sheep, and wandering tourists.
Cliff Road is epic. The first section is the most intense, where you're threading the needle through the gorge itself. Towering cliffs rise on either side, forcing you to navigate a series of tight twists and turns. Precision is key here – think agile, not powerful. After about four miles, the gorge opens up, and trees replace rock. The second part mellows out with sweeping bends. Then, the final stretch is all about long straights and gentle gradients, giving you a chance to soak in the surrounding views. With gradients reaching 16% at times, be aware that the road may be closed after heavy rains and floods.
This road is so good, it’s been featured in the Tour of Britain and was once named the best driving road in the UK. Cheddar Gorge gets packed with visitors, so expect to share the road, especially with tourists and cyclists.
Where is it?
B3135-Cheddar Gorge is one of Britain's most scenic drives is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 52.7257, -3.4320
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 23 km
- Max Elevation
- 138 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 52.7257, -3.4320
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