Stonehenge & Cheddar Gorge Review: Is Britain’s Most Famous Day Trip Worth It?
Is Stonehenge really worth the price of admission, or is it just a "pile of rocks"? We sent Eric and Braden to Salisbury Plain and the Mendip Hills to tour two of the UK’s most iconic landmarks: Stonehenge and Cheddar Gorge. From ancient mysteries and 10,000-year-old skeletons to tasting "real" cave-matured cheese, we’re breaking down everything you need to know before you book this day trip.
Exploring the Mystery of Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a marvel of ancient engineering that has stood for over 5,000 years. While the stones themselves are the main draw, the entire site is a massive historical complex. Some of the stones weigh up to 40 tons and were moved hundreds of miles from Wales—a feat that still baffles historians today.
A few highlights from the visit:
The Heritage Center: Don't skip the museum! It houses Neolithic tools and a 10,000-year-old skeleton found nearby, giving you a real sense of the people who built the monument.
The Neolithic Houses: Outside the visitor center, you can walk through reconstructed homes to see how the builders lived.
The Theories: Whether you believe it was an ancient calendar, a burial ground, or (as Braden suspects) a landing pad for aliens, being there in person makes the mystery feel much more real.
The Best Cheese in the World? Cheddar Gorge
After the stones, we headed to the town of Cheddar. If you’re a foodie, this is a mandatory stop. We visited The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, which is the only place in the world still making "real" Cheddar in the town of its namesake.
Authentic Cheddar: We learned a pro tip: real Cheddar is always round. If you see it in a square block, it’s not the authentic stuff!
Gough’s Cave: This massive cave was once an underground riverbed. Today, it’s used to age wheels of cheese because the temperature and humidity are naturally perfect.
Cox’s Cave: A more immersive, high-tech experience that uses light and sound to tell the story of how water carved the gorge over millions of years.
Pro Tip: The English Heritage Hack
Admission for Stonehenge can be pricey (around £35 per person). If you plan on visiting more than two or three historic sites in the UK—like Dover Castle or Hadrian’s Wall—it is much cheaper to buy an English Heritage membership. For about £82 a year, you get unlimited access to hundreds of sites, which pays for itself very quickly.
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Stonehenge is a bucket-list item that everyone should see once, but Cheddar Gorge was the surprise standout of the day. The combination of dramatic natural landscapes and world-class food makes these two spots a perfect pairing for a day trip outside of London.
Are you team "Aliens" or "Ancient Calendar" for Stonehenge? Let us know your theories in the YouTube comments! And if you enjoyed the vlog, be sure to subscribe to The Roaming Twins for more travel adventures.
