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Gough's Cave is a substantial limestone cave system in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, formed through natural dissolution processes and containing deposits spanning multiple prehistoric periods. The cave is of particular archaeological significance for its Mesolithic occupation, notably the discovery of "Cheddar Man", a skeleton dating to approximately 7,150 years ago whose genetic analysis has provided important insights into post-glacial British populations. The cave also contains evidence of Upper Palaeolithic activity and later Neolithic use, with finds including flint tools, animal bones, and hearths indicating sustained human occupation across several millennia. The cave entrance and main chamber remain physically impressive features within the gorge landscape, and the site continues to yield archaeological data relevant to understanding early human settlement patterns in Britain.
Gough's Cave, Cheddar Gorge is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1011925. View the official record →
Gough's Cave is a substantial limestone cave system in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, formed through natural dissolution processes and containing deposits spanning multiple prehistoric periods. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1011925.
Gough's Cave, Cheddar Gorge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1011925.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Romano-British settlement on Stoke Moor (5 km), Duck decoy east of Barrow Wood Lane (5.5 km), Westbury village cross (6.1 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Gough's Cave, Cheddar Gorge