For the August bank holiday Nathan and I were staying at Petruth Paddocks Campsite in Cheddar Somerset. We were lucky enough to visit nearby Wookey Hole which has got to be one of the top attractions and places to visit in Somerset – it seems everyone I’ve talked to since our visit has either heard of it or been!
Wookey Hole gave us a day consisting of fun, facts and fascination! There is so much to see and something for all members of the family to enjoy. Read on to hear about our tour of the caves, up close encounter with a giant gorilla, paper mill demonstrations and to find out who won the game of pirate island adventure golf!
Arriving at Wookey Hole!
We arrived at the infamous Wookey Hole at about midday and were directed to an overflow car park. We parked up and walked past the Wookey Hole Hotel (how cool would it be to stay here) to the entrance. We queued for about five minutes to get our tickets and were given a map with information detailing what was on offer to see and do. We were advised to visit the caves first so that’s where we headed!
The Famous Somerset Caves!
We joined the queue for the caves and waited approximately 30 minutes before reaching the front of the queue and meeting our tour guide. We were led into the caves and the tour began! The tour was great – we loved seeing all the caves fantastically lit up and enjoyed the detailed and interesting commentary provided by our guide. We passed through lots of different caves including the Witches Kitchen, Cathedral Chamber and Great Hall – you are transported into a different underground world full of mystery and magic!
You pass through passageways, wander over bridges and duck down through some low cave formations – all whilst listening to the interesting and funny stories from the guide. Different coloured lights and projections really add to the atmosphere of the caves and enhance the visitor experience. Stories of famous divers keep the adults captivated and talk of the Wookey Hole Witch kept the children entertained!
As if that isn’t enough there’s you even catch a glimpse of the cave-aged cheese – yes real cheddar cheese that’s being stored, refrigerated and aged within the caves!
The tour lasts about 45 minutes and I think there were about 40 people per tour – it didn’t feel overcrowded though and you had the opportunity to ask questions to the guide should you wish. You can find out lots more information about the caves on the Wookey Hole website – there’s even the opportunity for people to try out the unique Wild Wookey Experience – a three-hour caving, climbing and abseiling experience – rather them than me!
Dinosaurs, Fairies and the Ice age!
After enjoying our tour we stopped to have some lunch – just a small picnic we had brought with us. We then made our way through the mystic fairy garden – a cute garden area complete with dragons, elves and fairies! Unfortunately, it was raining quite a bit, so I didn’t get any pictures, but you can spot some mystical creatures as well as plenty of other pictures on the Wookey Hole Instagram page.
After wandering around the world of fairies we entered Valley of the Dinosaurs! Here you can step back in time to explore all things pre-historic and even have a go at digging for fossils in the Dino Dig Tent! I enjoyed looking at the huge dinosaur models and reading the accompanying information boards full of dinosaur facts. As well as the display of life-size dinosaur models, there’s also the more recent addition of an animatronic dinosaur which children around us appeared to be really entertained by!
It was in the Valley of Dinosaur that we came across the giant model of King Kong. It stands towering above you and is a great photo opportunity! I kept thinking about how scared I would be if it happened to come alive and start chasing me – quite an irrational thought I know but still, just imagine…!
To escape the rain we decided to head to the next showing of Ice Age – Dawn of the Dinosaurs. This is shown every half an hour and is super fun! First, you enter through the Witches Laboratory where you are presented with 4D glasses and listen to a spooky story told by a talking and moving bat! Next, you enter the cinema area and experience the adventure of the immersive 4D experience. The chairs move in time with the film’s action and even puff out air to make you jump – it’s really quite the experience and the film is pretty engaging too. The cinema ride requires visitors to be aged 3 and above and excludes those who are pregnant or those who have heart conditions for safety reasons – let that be warning enough! We thought this was a really cool attraction, however, didn’t think the Ice Age film followed on from the introductory section in the witch’s laboratory – I can only assume this is because they change the films every so often so they might not always fit with the spooky watch theme.
Cave Diving, Paper Making and Penny Arcades
There’s so much to see at Wookey Hole and our day touring the attractions continued as we entered the cave diving museum. This was a small yet interesting exhibit on cave divers and also housed a video displaying history and work of the paper mill which was really interesting.
Inside the monster mill, you can visit the papermaking museum which features the old-fashioned hand-made paper making machinery and information to match. There was even a papermaking demonstration going on which was really cool to watch. Children were invited to have a good too which looked fun! Shame I’m too old!
The cave museum houses lots of interesting information, artefacts from cave excavations and a display of the caves through the ages. There are even some human skeletal remains too!
We explored the Victorian penny arcade next – it was pretty busy, likely because it was pouring with rain by this time! There were loads of old-fashioned arcade games, many of which you played with using old-fashioned pennies which added to the nostalgia. There’s an indoor children’s play area and mirror maze too which were busy and looked fun.
Time for Some Competition!
To top of our action-packed day at Wookey Hole we partook in a game of golf at Pirate Island Adventure Golf. A round of golf is included in the admission ticket to Wookey Hole, although if you aren’t visiting the whole attraction the golf can be paid for separately.
As the name suggests the golf course was pirate themed with many of the holes being adjourned by swashbuckler figures and all things pirate related. There was a bit of a queue to get our clubs, but this soon eased once people got playing. The course was really good with long, challenging holes which kept Nathan and I in competition right until the last hole – where at the last minute Nathan took the lead and won the game by one point!! I was not best pleased as this meant the ice creams were on me! Again!
Final Thoughts!
We finished our adventure by having a look around the well-stocked gift shop and left feeling like we had experienced a real family fun day out. Wookey Hole is so much more than just caves – whilst the caves for me are the main star attraction, the added extras of the paper mill, museums, 4D cinemas, penny arcade and more means there’s plenty to entertain the family for a full day and makes the relatively high entrance price a lot more understandable.
There were unique attractions that appeared to suit all ages and interests. The site encompasses both inside and outside elements making it a suitable attraction for both sunny summer days and those not so sunny summer days! The added bonus of a round of golf is great and was fully enjoyed by us as we love competing against each other! I would recommend Wookey Hole for a family-friendly day out for all ages – there’s a real range of interesting attractions and the spectacular caves are a must!
***Whilst our tickets were provided to us on a complimentary basis, all thoughts, pictures and opinions are my own.***
Didn’t know this place existed but those caves look amazing! Definitely adding this to my bucket list of places to travel to!
Awesome! Hope you enjoy the caves when you visit!
This place looks so fun! I think I’d like the cave diving museum best but who can resist mini-golf, especially when it’s pirate themed?
Haha exactly! I loved the golf – apart from I lost. All the history and info about the caves was great and super interesting!
Looks like you all had a great time. I’ve great memories of going caving as a kid!
We sure did! Aw that’s awesome!
Wow such a beautiful place! This is definitely on my bucket list now. I would love to bring my family here.
It was so good for families – so much to see and do – really recommend!
I thought Wookey Hole was just caves, I had no idea they had all the other attractions, cinema etc too!
I know me neither till I visited – there was so much more and we didn’t even see it all! Spent hours there!
Wow, it looks like a great day out! I’ve never been to Somerset, but it’s now on my staycation bucket list, thanks to you! xx
Oh brilliant that’s great to hear! I hope you make it soon!
Would love to visit Wookey Hole, looks like an awesome place to go with the family.
It’s such a great family attraction, so much to keep the children entertained 🙂
I can jus see my children having the time of their lives here. It reminds me of a disney world but with a much greater educational feel. I think this might be a place to put on our must go lists! Thanks
Oh wow yeah I know what you mean. There’s the perfect mix of fun, facts and fantasy!
I’ve never heard of Wookey Hole but it looks like a lot of fun! Especially the cave tours – I always love doing those!
Yeah the cave tour was the highlight for me I think!
I have been to Somerset once but did not know that there was something as incredible as this there. How cool are the caves
Oh you’ll have to go back and visit! Really recommend!
Sounds awesome and we’ve often seen signs for Wookey Hole when driving down the M4. We’d love to visit for Halloween! The caves look spectacular x
Ooh a visit during Halloween would be awesome, wouldn’t it! The caves were great, much better in person – my pictures don’t do them justice!
I had never heard of the Wookey Hole before but it sounds like such a fun place to visit. Getting to explore the caves, see the dinosaurs and witches laboratory sound right up my alley! I will definitely have to visit next I’m in England.
Yes please do! There is so much to see!
Wow, that looks a great family day out. Lots of variety to keep everyone engaged.
Fun for all ages and all members of the family I think!
Oh how fun! Looks like a great place to visit. My family and I love cave exploration, that cave system looks beautiful.
Oh wow sounds like you would enjoy the Wookey Hole cave tour then! You get to hear all about their formations, the different chambers and diving stories.
This place looks amazing! I will have to add this to my list of travel sites to visit in the future 🙂
I really recommend it for a fun day out and something a bit different!
This is a beautiful place. It would a great idea for family day out.
It has such mix of attractions I think it makes for a fun unique day out.
This place looks like a lot of fun! My kids would love seeing the dinosaurs.
There seemed to be a lot of children interested in the dinosaurs – especially the animatronic one!
I have never heard of Wookey Caves, but I’m fascinated by caves. These places look like amazing spots to visit with the family!
They were so interesting and there was so much history to be heard and to read about which made it really cool.
This whole trip looks like it was amazing!! But I think my favorite part would have been the caves!
Yeah the caves were the best bit for me too! The other attractions just added to the fun!
Looks like a great place to visit. I’ll definitely go here one day with my family. Will be saving this! Next trip to Somerset,
Yes put it on your list for your next trip! 🙂
Such a nice place looks so perfect place to visit this Halloween I am sure my sister and her son would love to see this place.
Yes visiting at Halloween would be even more fun I bet!
My kids and I are not really fan of scary things but this one looks like a nice place to visit and I am sure my sister will really enjoy to be there.
I’m pretty much the same too although this isn’t scary really so sounds like it would be a good place for you guys to visit. They do mention witches but it seemed suitable for all ages 🙂
We visited at Easter this year and loved the caves and the history behind them. I did however find the rest of the site a bit outdated in places, I agree with you the Ice Age film doesn’t flow at all with the witches lab which is a shame.
Glad you enjoyed the caves – I think they are the best bit. I know what you mean about the film!
This looks like such a fun place to visit! You took some really nice pictures. I will have to keep this in mind if I’m ever in the area!
Thank you! Please do!
I have never heard of this place. it looks really fun and a great way to spend the day as a family
Yes so nice – really recommend!
This looks like so much fun, and I’d never think there was this kind of spooky attraction here! Will try and visit one day!
There’s a slight spooky element but not much!
I have been to Cheddar Gorge before but I didn’t know about the existence of Wookey Hole. It looks like a fantastic way to spend a day out. I’d lov eto walk through the dinosaurs valley too.
Oh really, it’s pretty close to Cheddar Gorge – only about 20 minutes! I think there are slightly more added attractions at Wookey Hole but haven’t been to Cheddar Gorge so cant be sure!
I have never heard of this place! It looks like something my family would really enjoy.
Super family friendly – check out their website for more details!
Wow! Looks like you had tons of fun! I would love to see the caves in person. Looks like it was an amazing view.
We sure did, the pics don’t do it’s beauty justice! Has to be seen in person!
My family and I love visiting caves…and this one looks and sounds so exciting! I definitely want to visit this one someday.
Sounds like you and your family would love it here then!
This looks amazing, definitely me and my families kind of place to visit. You have shared so much in both words and images anyone living even half a day away will make the trip.
Aww that’s a nice comment! Thank you, I hope so!
Sounds like you had a lot of fun in Wells. The Wookey Hole looks fun.
We had a great time and loved Wookey Hole!
This place looks so fun! I especially love the dinosaurs
Yeah they were fun!
Ok, how have I NEVER heard of this place!?! It’s like all the crazy, cool, wacky stuff in one place!
Wacky is a pretty good word to describe some of it! At least you have heard of it now! 🙂
This looks like so much fun! My husband is from England, so we go at least once a year to visit. I’ll have to add this to the list of things to do!
Oooh yes please do!
This looks like so much fun, I didn’t know there was such a spooky place out there!
~xo Sheree
poshclassymom.com
I’m not sure how spooky it is really but I reckon at Halloween it would be fun!
Looks like you all had a wonderful time! I love going to caves. They are so beautiful with a lot of history to many of them. My kids would love those dinosaurs for sure, too!
The caves were so interesting, the tour guides commentary was great!
This looks like way too much fun! Seriously such a cool adventure. Thanks for sharing!
It was a cool adventure indeed! Thanks for reading 🙂
This looks like such a fun and cool place to go! If I ever make over the pond, I’ll definitely have to check this place out!
Yes please do! Thanks for reading!
That’s amazing! I’ve never really heard about this before and it would be nice to go there and explore! I’m sure we’ll learn a lot of things from it too.
Yeah I certainly learnt lots from the cave tour, museums and paper mill demonstration!
What an amazing day out for a great price! The caves look stunning. I wish I lived closer as I would love to visit!
Yeah it’s a fun day for sure!
The cave sounds like a thrilling adventure! My son would enjoy this kind of trip as well. 🙂
Yeah it seemed great for kids!
There’s so much to do there! It would be a great trip for kids. They’d get to learn, get to wander, and get to do. Very cool.
Yeah such a mix of adventures, children we saw were loving it!
We visited Wookey Hole caves earlier this year and had a blast – there is simply so much to see and do and good value considering you can spend the whole day here – my kids loved the Penny Arcade and indoor softplay as well as the Dinosaurs and ofcourse the caves
Laura x
Ah cool, glad you had a great visit too! I agree on the whole day thing as there is so much to see!
Amazing! We went to Cheddar on holiday a while back and we saw loads of signs and leaflets for Wookey Hole but didn’t go. Totally wish we had, I had no idea there was so much there! My eldest would have loved all those dinosaurs and the caves sound really interesting, how amazing they actually use them to refrigerate the cheese!xx
Oh no, next time you visit you should go! It was popular indeed! Caves were great – the cheese was an added touch for sure!
Your visit sounds and looks like so much fun! My boy would love the dinosaur part!
I think the dinosaurs were really popular so he would be in good company!
Omg the caves! Kids would love it here but I think I’d have the time of my life too! The images are STUNNING! Never knew of this place before. Thanks!
Yeah there’s something for everyone and for all ages I think! Glad you have now heard of Wookey Hole!
Wow these dinosaurs are awesome. Our niece and nephew are so into dinosaurs at the moment.
Oh cool, sounds like they would love it here then!
I love Wookey Hole, it surprised me just how much there is to do there
Yeah me too, I hadn’t realised how many different attractions there would be. I was pleased to see the golf course too!
I’ve never heard of this place, probably because I live in the US, but how fascinating! I would love to visit the Somerset caves – they look like fun and parts of them have amazing appearances.
They were fun indeed! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Wookey Hole looks fab, it’s somewhere I’d really like to visit. I passed through cheddar gorge a few years ago on a work trip and said I would love to go back for a proper visit with the family, but this has kinda convinced me that I need too!
It’s a lot of fun! Oooh yes you totally should!
I am yet to visit Somerset but this seems like a place I’d love to explore. Totally fascinated by Wookey Hole. Great pictures..
Somerset is lovely and Wookey Hole is a great attraction. Hope you get to visit one day!
My word there’s a tonne of stuff to see and do at Wookey Hole. I must admit I’d never heard of it before but it sounds like an awesome place to visit as a family. I’d love to see the caves but doubt my son would enjoy them. That said the Fairy area and dinosaurs would be right up his street!
Yeah guess that’s what’s great about Wookey Hole is there’s lots of different parts that different tastes will enjoy 🙂