Wookey Hole — Somerset, England
Wookey Hole is a village in Somerset in close proximity to Wells, situated within the Mendip Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AON); and located near the southern edge of this extraordinary area that is known not only for its pristine beauty, but also for the prehistoric archeological finds that have been unearthed here.
The village of Wookey Hole is well known for the Wookey Hole Caves, a prehistoric treasure trove, which brings many tourists to the area. Aside from the Caves, the village has several other points of interest; Glencot House is a Grade II listed country house dating from 1887, which has presently been converted into a country house hotel; the18th-century Bubwith farmhouse is another Grade II listed building, as is the high street post office and the paper mill building, where one can watch a brief video of cotton being converted into paper. As there was no longer a profitable market for their hand-made paper, production ceased in 2008 and most of the original Victorian machinery was sold off. The water wheel on the mill dates from circa 1860, however it is believed that this was a corn grinding mill during the 11th century. Aside from its historic significance, the mill is lovely to see, with its picturesque canal flowing beneath the mill.
While in Wookey Hole many visitors avail themselves of the long-distance footpaths which pass through the village; the Monarch's Way approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester during the English Civil War; and the Mendip Way, which starts at Wells and continues to the Bristol Channel at Uphill Cliff. From Wells there is a second section that continues east to Frome. While in Wells, the Cathedral is a must see, as it is one of Britain's outstanding architectural sights, and be certain to watch the mechanical knights in the Cathedral clock who exchange blows at the hour. For the nature lovers there is also, the Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve, a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, located just outside the village of Wookey Hole. And for those who travel to Wells, the town of Glastonbury is only a few miles further, with its 14th century tower dominating the landscape of Glastonbury Tor.
Although Mendip offers many sports and leisure activities, many tourists come for the Wookey Hole Caves, which offers a glance at the prehistoric nature of the caves, and also offers a variety of interest for children of all ages. At one time Madame Tussauds owned the caves and joined with the mill to open as a tourist attraction, and eventually Wookey Hole Caves was purchased by a former circus proprietor. There is also a museum among the other attractions. Additionally there is a museum in Wells that exhibits some of the bones of prehistoric animals found at Wookey Hole.
The history of the caves is linked with the Mendip Hills which are honeycombed with many caverns formed by millions of years of water that carved out the limestone leaving gorges and caves above and under the hills. A small cave occupied by Hyenas in the Old Stone Age some 400,000 years ago is near the Wookey Hole Caves, which has been occupied alternately by prehistoric man and animals. In 1857 workman digging the canal found the remains of a prehistoric man, including flint tools, as well as the bones of animals. Archeologists surmise that Paleolithic man occupied the hills; and in 1912 remains of an Iron Age woman with other items were found; leading to further exploration in Wookey Hole to the "Witch's Kitchen", "Hells Ladder" and the "Badger Hole" where 3rd century Roman coins were found. The caves are a virtual history of the ages, with even the foundations of Roman buildings, dating from the 1st to the late 4th century found outside the cave.
There have been numerous other finds, all leading archaeologists to the belief that man lived in and around the caves for 50,000 years, using the caves as a safe haven. The Celts, who farmed the land, lived in or near the cave entrance for more than six hundred years, with the Romans subduing them in order to settle the region and exploit the mineral resources. This is a region that exudes history, myth and Arthurian legend, creating more than a little interest through the centuries in the caves at Wookey Hole, with their vast chambers and unfathomable waters which, in some places go to uncertain depths.
Where is Wookey Hole?Wookey Hole is located in Somerset near Wells on the A371. The nearest populated areas include Wells to the south and Cheddar to the north.
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