Cheddar
Cheddar shown within Somerset
Population	5,724 (2002)
OS grid reference	ST458535
District	Sedgemoor
Shire county	Somerset
Region	South West
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BRISTOL
Postcode district	BS27 3
Dialling code	01934
Police	Avon and Somerset
Fire	Devon and Somerset
Ambulance	South Western
European Parliament	South West England
UK Parliament	Wells
List of places: UK • England • Somerset

Coordinates: 51°16′43″N 2°46′40″W / 51.2785, -2.7777 Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Red_pog2. ... This article is about the county of Somerset in England. ... The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using latitude or longitude. ... The districts of England are a level of subnational division of England used for the purposes of local government. ... Sedgemoor is a local government district of Somerset in England. ... Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties are one of the four levels of English administrative division used for the purposes of local government. ... This article is about the county of Somerset in England. ... The region, also known as Government Office Region, is currently the highest tier of local government subnational entity of England in the United Kingdom. ... South West England is one of the regions of England. ... Constituent countries is a phrase used, often by official institutions, in contexts in which a number of countries make up a larger entity or grouping, concerning these countries; thus the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has used the phrase in reference to the parts of former Yugoslavia... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This is an alphabetical list of the sovereign states of the world, including both de jure and de facto independent states. ... A post town is a required part of all UK postal addresses. ... This article is about the English city. ... UK postal codes are known as postcodes. ... The BS postcode area, also known as the Bristol postcode area[1], is a group of postal districts around Axbridge, Banwell, Bristol, Cheddar, Clevedon, Wedmore, Weston-super-Mare and Winscombe in England. ... +44 redirects here. ... There are a number of policing agencies in the United Kingdom. ... Avon & Somerset Constabulary is a police force in England covering the county of Somerset and the districts of South Gloucestershire, Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset; these districts were the now defunct county of Avon hence the forces name. ... A Fire Appliance belonging to the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service The fire service in the United Kingdom has undergone dramatic changes since the beginning of the 21st century, a process that has been propelled by a devolution of central government powers, new legislation and a change to operational... Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service or FRS covering the counties of Somerset and Devon, including the unitary authorities of Plymouth and Torbay, in the south west of England Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service was founded on 1 April 2007... The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SWAST) is the authority responsible for providing NHS ambulance services in the counties of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. ... This is a list of Members of the European Parliament for the United Kingdom in the 2004 to 2009 session, ordered by name. ... The constituency (first used 2004) within England; Gibraltar is in the inset. ... The United Kingdom House of Commons is made up of Members of Parliament (MPs). ... Wells is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... List of cities in the United Kingdom List of towns in England Lists of places within counties List of places in Bedfordshire List of places in Berkshire List of places in Buckinghamshire List of places in Cambridgeshire List of places in Cheshire List of places in Cleveland List of places... This is a list of cities, towns and villages in the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...

Cheddar is a large village and civil parish in the district of Sedgemoor in the English county of Somerset. It is situated on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills 9 miles (14 km) north west of Wells. Country of origin England Region, town Somerset, Cheddar Source of milk Cows, rarely Goats Pasteurised Frequently Texture hard/semi-hard Aging time 3-30 months depending on variety Certification West Country farmhouse Cheddar Only: PDO Cheddar cheese is a hard, pale yellow to orange, sharp-tasting cheese originally (and still... Masouleh village, Gilan Province, Iran. ... A civil parish (usually just parish) in England is a subnational entity forming the lowest unit of local government, lower than districts or counties. ... Sedgemoor is a local government district of Somerset in England. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the county of Somerset in England. ... The Mendip Hills (commonly called The Mendips) are a range of limestone hills (karst) situated to the south of Bristol and Bath in north Somerset, England. ... For other uses, see Wells (disambiguation). ...

Status

It is a frequent misconception that Cheddar is a town, presumably based on its present-day size and importance. Officially, however, Cheddar is a village. The adjacent settlement of Axbridge, although only about a third the size of Cheddar, is a town. This apparently illogical situation is explained by the relative importance of the two places in historic times. While Axbridge grew in importance as a centre for cloth manufacture in the Tudor period and gained a charter from King John, Cheddar remained a more dispersed mining and dairy-farming village until the advent of tourism and the arrival of the railway in the Victorian era. Map sources for Axbridge at grid reference ST4354 Axbridge is a town in Somerset, England, situated in the Sedgemoor district on the River Axe, near the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. ... For other uses, see Tudor (disambiguation). ... This article is about the King of England. ... This is the top-level page of WikiProject trains Rail tracks Rail transport refers to the land transport of passengers and goods along railways or railroads. ... The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British Industrial Revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ...

This situation is unlikely to change in the near future, with the residents of both Axbridge and Cheddar proud of their settlements' respective status and the inevitable friendly local rivalry between the two.

Twinning

Cheddar is twinned with the following towns and has an active programme of exchange visits: Sign denoting twin towns of Neckarsulm, Germany Town twinning is a concept whereby towns or cities in geographically and politically distinct areas are paired with the goal of fostering human contact and cultural links. ...

• Felsberg in Germany
• Vernouillet in France.

Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Felsberg is a small town in Hesse, Germany. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Vernouillet is a commune in Eure-et-Loir, France. ...

Local produce

Main article: Cheddar cheese

The village is famous for having given its name to Cheddar cheese which is the most popular type of cheese in the United Kingdom. Although the cheese is now made worldwide, only one producer remains in the village itself. Country of origin England Region, town Somerset, Cheddar Source of milk Cows, rarely Goats Pasteurised Frequently Texture hard/semi-hard Aging time 3-30 months depending on variety Certification West Country farmhouse Cheddar Only: PDO Cheddar cheese is a hard, pale yellow to orange, sharp-tasting cheese originally (and still... Country of origin England Region, town Somerset, Cheddar Source of milk Cows, rarely Goats Pasteurised Frequently Texture hard/semi-hard Aging time 3-30 months depending on variety Certification West Country farmhouse Cheddar Only: PDO Cheddar cheese is a hard, pale yellow to orange, sharp-tasting cheese originally (and still... Cheese is a solid food made from the milk of cows, goats, sheep, and other mammals. ...

Cheddar's other main produce is the strawberry, which gave name to the now disused Strawberry Line railway that ran from Yatton to Wells. In the 1960s, when the rest of the line was closed and all passenger services ceased, the section of the line between Cheddar and Yatton remained open for goods traffic, to provide a fast link with the main markets for the strawberries in Birmingham and London. The former station has become housing and a trading estate, and is the starting point for a cycle path along the old track to Axbridge, passing the Cheddar Reservoir, an SSSI for its large population of wintering waterfowl, and the home of a sailing club. For other uses, see Strawberry (disambiguation). ... The former start of the branch at Yatton is now the Strawberry Line railway walk The Cheddar Valley line was a railway line that ran from Yatton railway station through Wells, Cheddar, Shepton Mallet to Witham. ... Yatton is a village in North Somerset, England. ... For other uses, see Wells (disambiguation). ... This article is about the British city. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Map sources for Axbridge at grid reference ST4354 Axbridge is a town in Somerset, England, situated in the Sedgemoor district on the River Axe, near the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. ... Cheddar reservoir at dusk. ... A Site of Special Scientific Interest or SSSI is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. ...

Cheddar Ales is a small brewery, based in the village, which produces beer for pubs in the local area.

Cheddar Village circa 1907

Cheddar Village - Mendip Hills - Somerset - England From Project Gutenberg eText #12287 Title: Somerset Author: G.W. Wade and J.H. Wade Release Date: May 7, 2004 EBook #12287 This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for... Cheddar Village - Mendip Hills - Somerset - England From Project Gutenberg eText #12287 Title: Somerset Author: G.W. Wade and J.H. Wade Release Date: May 7, 2004 EBook #12287 This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for...

Landscape

Gorge and caves

Main article: Cheddar Gorge and Caves

Cheddar is also famous for Cheddar Gorge, the largest gorge in England, and for the Cheddar Caves, including Cox's cave, Tyning's Barrow Swallet and Gough's Cave where the remains of Cheddar Man were found. Nearby is Wookey Hole and Ebbor Gorge. Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom, near the village of Cheddar in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England. ... Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom, near the village of Cheddar in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England. ... A gorge is a narrow passage between steep mountains or hills. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom, near the village of Cheddar in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England. ... Coxs cave (grid reference ST46465390) is part of the Cheddar Gorge and Caves on the Mendip Hills, in Somerset, England. ... Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom, near the village of Cheddar in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England. ... Cheddar Man is the name given to the remains of a human male found in Gough’s Cave in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, England. ... The entrance to Wookey Hole. ... Ebbor Gorge is a limestone gorge in Somerset, close to Wells. ...

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

There are several large and unique Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) around the village including Cheddar Reservoir and Cheddar Wood. By far the largest is called Cheddar Complex and covers 441.3 hectares (1,090.5 acres) of the gorge, caves and the surrounding area. It is considered important for both biological and geological features. A Site of Special Scientific Interest or SSSI is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. ... Cheddar reservoir at dusk. ... Cheddar Wood (grid reference ST445552) is a 86. ... The Cheddar Complex (grid reference ST465538) is a 441. ...

Quarries

Close to the village and gorge are Batts Combe quarry and Callow Rock quarry two of the active Quarries of the Mendip Hills where limestone is still extracted. Batts Combe quarry, grid reference ST460550 is a limestone quarry on the edge of Cheddar village on the Mendip Hills, Somerset, England. ... Callow Rock quarry, grid reference ST442558 is a limestone quarry on the edge of Cheddar village on the Mendip Hills, Somerset, England. ... Western extension of Whatley quarry. ... For other uses, see Limestone (disambiguation). ...

History

There is evidence of occupation from both the Neolithic and Roman periods in Cheddar.^[1] The remains of a Roman villa have been excavated in the grounds of the current vicarage.^[2] It was also the site of a Saxon Royal palace which has been fully excavated. Its outline has since been laid out in the grounds of The Kings of Wessex School, which was built on the site although not directly on the palace. For other uses, see Anglo-Saxon. ... Kings of Wessex School is a secondary school located in Cheddar, Somerset, England. ...

Cheddar was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Ceder, meaning 'Shear Water' from the Old English scear and Celtic dwr.^[3] An alternative possible meaning is from Ceodre or ceod meaning a pouch referring to the caves or gorge.^[4] A line drawing entitled Domesday Book from Andrew Williamss Historic Byways and Highways of Old England. ... Old English (also called Anglo-Saxon[1], Old English: ) is an early form of the English language that was spoken in parts of what is now England and southern Scotland between the mid-fifth century and the mid-twelfth century. ... The Celtic languages are the languages descended from Proto-Celtic, or Common Celtic, a branch of the greater Indo-European language family. ...

William Wilberforce saw the poor conditions of the locals when he visited Cheddar in 1789. He inspired Hannah More in her work to improve the conditions of the Mendip miners and agricultural workers.^[5] William Wilberforce (24 August 1759–29 July 1833) was a British politician and philanthropist. ... Hannah More (February 2, 1745 - September 7, 1833) was an English religious writer and philanthropist. ...

Amenities

Cheddar has a number of active service clubs including Cheddar Vale Lions Club, Mendip Rotary and Mendip Inner Wheel Club. The clubs raise money for projects in the local community and hold annual events such as a fireworks display, duck races in the Gorge, a dragon boat race on the reservoir and concerts in the grounds of the nearby St Michael's Cheshire Home[1]. Lions Clubs International logo Lions Clubs International is the worlds largest service club organization with 45,000 clubs and nearly 1. ... Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. ... Inner Wheel Club is an international organisation which is closely linked to the Rotary Club. ... For other uses, see Rubber duck (disambiguation). ... A Dragon boat (traditional Chinese: ; simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ) is a very long and narrow human powered boat used in the team paddling sport or Dragon boat racing which originated in China. ... Group Captain Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, Baron Cheshire, VC, OM, DSO and Two Bars, DFC (7 September 1917 – 31 July 1992) was a British RAF pilot during the Second World War who received the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that...

There are three schools: Cheddar First School, Fairlands Middle School and The Kings of Wessex School, which has a leisure centre with an indoor swimming pool. Cheddar village also has a Youth Hostel and several camping/caravan sites, including several large ones with many facilities. There is a Church of England parish church with a tall tower in the typical Somerset style, and also churches for Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and other denominations, including a community Church which meets at the Kings of Wessex, senior school. Kings of Wessex School is a secondary school located in Cheddar, Somerset, England. ... Youth hostel in Rome. ... A parish church in the Church of England, is the place of Christian worship which acts as the religious centre for the people of the smallest and most basic Church of England administrative unit, known as a parish. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Baptist is...

Notable buildings and structures

St Andrew's Church

Looking north west from St Andrew's Church tower. On the left is The Kings of Wessex School and the remains of the Saxon palace. In the distance is Cheddar Reservoir and Crook Peak

The Church of England parish church is dedicated to St Andrew and dates from the 14th century. It was restored in 1873 by William Butterfield. It is a grade I listed building and contains some 15th century stained glass and an altar table of 1631. The chest tomb in the chancel is believed to be to Sir Thomas Cheddar and dated 1442.^[6] The tower, which rises to 100 feet (30 m),^[2] contains a bell dating from 1759 and made by Thomas Bilbie of the Bilbie family.^[7] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 520 KB) Summary Cheddar, as seen from the top of the church tower. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 520 KB) Summary Cheddar, as seen from the top of the church tower. ... Kings of Wessex School is a secondary school located in Cheddar, Somerset, England. ... Cheddar reservoir at dusk. ... A parish church in the Church of England, is the place of Christian worship which acts as the religious centre for the people of the smallest and most basic Church of England administrative unit, known as a parish. ... Saint Andrew (Greek: Andreas, manly), the Christian Apostle, brother of Saint Peter, was born at Bethsaida on the Lake of Galilee. ... This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... St Mary Brookfield William Butterfield (7 September 1814 – 23 February 1900), born in London, architect of the Gothic revival, and associated with the Oxford Movement (aka the Tractarian Movement). ... The Forth Bridge, designed by Sir Benjamin Baker and Sir John Fowler, opened in 1890, and now owned by Network Rail, is designated as a Category A listed building by Historic Scotland. ... Strictly speaking, stained glass is glass that has been painted with silver stain and then fired. ... A church monument is an architectural or sculptural memorial to a dead person or persons, often in the form of an effigy or a wall tablet, located within a Christian church. ... Events The community of Rauma, Finland was granted its town rights. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... Bilbie bell kept in St Andrews Church as a memorial to the family. ...

Market cross

The market cross in Bath Street dates from the 15th century, with the shelter being rebuilt in 1834. It has a central octagonal pier, socket raised on 3 steps, hexagonal shelter with 6 arched 4-centred arch openings, shallow 2 stage buttresses at each angle, and embattled parapet. The shaft is crowned by an abacus with figures in niches, probably from the late 19th century although the cross is now missing. Rebuilt by Thomas, Marquis of Bath. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Somerset County No 21) and grade II* listed building.^[8] It was recently restored after being seriously damaged in a road traffic accident. Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath, 3rd Viscount Weymouth (1734-1796), English politician, was the elder son of Thomas Thynne, 2nd Viscount Weymouth (1710—1751), and the great-grandnephew of Thomas Thynne (c. ... A Scheduled Ancient Monument is defined in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the National Heritage Act 1983 of the United Kingdom government. ...

References

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Cheddar at the Open Directory Project
• Community website
• Cheddar First School
• Fairlands Middle School
• Cheddar Valley Gazette
• Cheddar Archaeological Survey
• Photos of Cheddar in 3d (Anaglyphs)
• YouTube videos: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3