The name Cheddar comes from the Old English word ‘ ceodor’ , meaning deep dark cavity or pouch.
Cheddar Gorge , on the northern edge of the village, is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom and includes several show caves , including Gough’s Cave . The gorge has been a centre of human settlement since Neolithic times, including a Saxon palace. It has a temperate climate and provides a unique geological and biological environment that has been recognised by the designation of several Sites of Special Scientific Interest . It is also the site of several limestone quarries . The village gave its name to Cheddar cheese and has been a centre for strawberry growing. The crop was formerly transported on the Cheddar Valley rail line , which closed in the late 1960s and is now a cycle path.
The village is now a major tourist destination with several cultural and community facilities, including the Cheddar Show Caves Museum.
Cheddar village supports a variety of community groups including religious, sporting and cultural organisations. Several of these are based on the site of the Kings of Wessex Academy , which is the largest educational establishment.
