Wookey Hole
Carved out under the limestone Mendip Hills over millions of years by the mysterious River Axe, Wookey Hole Caves have become a popular visitor attraction, featuring magnificent underground chambers and pools, where spectacular light and sound effects bring the caves’ natural wonder to life. Cave diving expeditions since 1935 have revealed 25 caverns, but there are surely more that remain unexplored.
Historically, Stone Age man sheltered in the caves, Celts farmed the fertile valley floor; Romans built a villa here and mined the hillside for lead. Today, the ravine of the River Axe is a sanctuary to rare flora and fauna, but is still accessible to visitors.
Ancient folklore associated with the caves raises its head in the shape of the Witch of Wookey Hole; legend has it that a Glastonbury Abbey monk once splashed holy water on the witch, turning her to stone.
Other attractions forming part of the Wookey Hole experience include demonstrations of paper-making by hand, ‘Penny Arcade’ historic amusements, and the Magical Mirror Maze.
An all-inclusive admission ticket gives access to all the above features, plus a licensed restaurant, free parking, an attractive picnic area, plus facilities for the disabled (no wheelchair access to the caves).
Must see and do
- Wells Cathedral, Wells
- Wookey Hole Caves, Wookey Holes
- Burcott Mills, Burcott
- Vicars’ Close, Wells
- Priddy Sheep Fair, near Wells (August)
- Milton Lodge Gardens, Wells
- Ebbor Gorge, near Wells
- Cheddar Gorge and Show Caves, Cheddar
- Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury
- Illuminated Carnival, Wells (November)
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