Cheddar Gorge and Caves – Museum of Prehistory

About the museum

Cheddar Gorge in Somerset is the largest gorge in Britain and holds a number of show caves. The Museum of Prehistory is one of the attractions included in the Day Ticket at Cheddar Gorge & Caves. It displays flint tools made by early people, everyday objects they used, and information about Cheddar Man, whose skeleton was found in Gough's Cave in 1903 and is described as the oldest complete human skeleton found in Britain.

Gough's Cave, the largest of the show caves, was excavated in the late nineteenth century and formed over more than half a million years as river water dissolved the limestone. Cheddar Man was a hunter-gatherer who lived about 10,000 years ago. A replica skeleton is shown in the cave, while the original is cared for at the Natural History Museum in London. A recent discovery at the site has also identified one of the earliest domestic dogs in the world.

In Cox's Cave a multimedia show called Yeo's Journey explains how water shaped the caves. The Museum of Prehistory is accessible by lift and offers hands-on cave art painting, with demonstrations during school holidays.

Highlights

• Flint tools and everyday objects of early people
• Story of Cheddar Man, found in Gough's Cave in 1903
• Hands-on cave art painting
• Replica Cheddar Man skeleton in Gough's Cave
• Included in one Day Ticket with the show caves and Lookout Tower

Permanent exhibition

• Museum of Prehistory – Flint tools, everyday objects of early people and the story of Cheddar Man, with hands-on cave art painting.

Founded

2005

Admission & discounts

The Day Ticket (Gough's Cave with audio tour, Museum of Prehistory, Cox's Cave, Jacob's Ladder and the Lookout Tower, and the Beyond the View film) costs from £23.30 for an adult and £17.50 for a child when booked online before midnight the day before; the on-the-day price is not published. Armed Forces members can save up to 20% with ID. Car parking is charged separately (£7 per day).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Museum of Prehistory and Beyond the View are accessible by lift, although there are steps at the entrance. The caves, the Cliff-top Walk and the Lookout Tower are not suitable for wheelchair users or people with severely restricted mobility. The audio guides have transcripts and loop systems, and Braille versions are available at Gough's Cave. A free Digital Access Pass (valid for three years) and a physical Access Card (£15) are offered. Sensory bags with ear defenders and fidget toys can be borrowed from Guest Services for a refundable £10 deposit. Dogs on leads are welcome at all attractions.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The museum offers hands-on cave art painting and demonstrations in school holidays. Gough's Cafe has a small play area for under-5s. A children's audio guide is available in several languages, and the site runs seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas at Cheddar. Buggies can be pushed about three-quarters of the way into Gough's Cave but not into Cox's Cave.

Getting there & parking

Sat nav postcode BS27 3QF; what3words ///cheetahs.brothers.backpacks. The road into Cheddar is steep and winding, and the site advises arriving before 11am in school and bank holidays.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

Gough's Cafe serves drinks, light lunches, snacks, cakes and cream teas, with a rooftop patio. There are no lockers or storage areas for belongings.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Corporate hire is offered; details are on the Cheddar Gorge and Caves group pages.

Plan your visit