News and Features

Winter in Cheddar

The Christmas season literally started with a bang when a rocket was launched from St. Andrew's Church to announce the start of the Cheddar Festive Night on 7th December.  It was a night to remeber for food and drink lovers alike, with lots of food and drink gifts, pig roasts, hot chilli, mulled wine, mince pies, wine tasting, roasted chestnuts and plenty of Cheddar Ale.

But, don’t worry if you missed it, all of the pubs, restaurants and shops we’ve featured are open as normal throughout the Winter.  We love the tourists, but it's far quieter in Winter and for many locals this is the ideal time to visit. 

Our choices for food and drink  . . .

Cheddar Ales

These new local beers and their brewer are rapidly building a reputation amongst real ale drinkers and publicans for quality and service.  Try the clean tasting Cheddar Ales Best Bitter and the stronger, fuller-flavoured Potholer in The Riverside, The Galleries, The Bath Arms and Cox’s Mill.  Look out for the brand new limited edition Totty Pot Porter - a wonderful mellow, beer with a delicious taste of chocolate malt. I tasted it just before it had finished fermenting and it was wonderful then, it will be even better once chilled and bottled/racked. Call into the brewery (best to phone first) to see the full range of gift packs and discuss options for parties and events, from 9 pt tins and 12 bottle cases to fully serviced bars. more

Cheddar Water

Did you know the word Cheddar means ‘Brilliant Water’ in Saxon?  England’s first carbonated water from a certified organic catchment area comes from a spring deep in the caves below the Mendip Hills, dating back over 2000 years.  The water is naturally filtered by the rocks through which it travels and farmer David Urch originally used it for his cattle.  When realised it was so pure, he started using it for his family.  Today it’s available in most of the pubs, shops and restaurants in and around Cheddar.  Why buy any other bottled water?

Cheddar Organica

Cheddar’s health food store come delicatessen has recently started stocking the full range of Stokes and Suffolk Mud Food Products, a quintessentially English range of home made luxury cranberry sauces, redcurrant jellies, relishes, mayos and tomato ketchups that really taste of tomatoes.  They will be offering free tasters of the Mud products, organic wine, Godminster cheese and gluten free Christmas cake and pudding.  Make up your own gift box or choose from their range of hampers, all of which can be ordered online, including a gluten free one. more

The Riverside Inn

Situated in the heart of the action, at the foot of Cheddar Gorge opposite Organica, this pub is always popular and sure to be buzzing on Festive Night.  There’ll be live music from singer Steve James, a free pig roast and food will be served in the restaurant.

Traditional pub food, well cooked and reasonably priced, features prominently on the restaurant menu and is perfect with the delicious, indulgent desserts such as deep baked vanilla cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding and rich lemon tart 

There’s a Winter menu with all the seasonal favourites and a good choice of alternatives. 

Children are well catered for on the restaurant menu. more

The Gardeners Arms

Wind your way away from the bustle of the Gorge for live music from local singers and bands in this cosy village pub with a real fire and warm welcome.

Well known for it’s selection of game and fresh fish, it didn’t surprise us to find game pie, stuffed partridge and Cornish Dover sole alongside the traditional turkey on the Winter menu, but we couldn’t have predicted the appearance of ostrich and apricot amongst the range of delicious homemade pies!  more

Derrick's Tea Rooms

Nestling below Lion Rock at the top of the gorge, this building has been a tea room for over 100 years.  The new owners Simon and Bonnie will be opening all Winter, tempting you with an array of home-made cakes that stopped me in my tracks before I finally chose a slice of Cherry & Coconut, complimented by a lovely cup of delicate Darjeeling.  For a real 'olde-worlde' treat try the high tea, a stack of sandwiches, cakes and scones on a traditional cake stand.  Your Grandma would love it and we did too.

Frank’s Restaurant

The relaxed peace of Frank’s restaurant is an oasis in the dessert storm, for me the food is so special that it deserves an evening dedicated to the meal alone.  If you're on a tight budget or watching what you eat for the New Year, we recommend the set priced lunch menu.  The evening menu ranges from classic favourites like char grilled prime British beef steaks to Gressingham duck, honey-roasted with rhubarb, ginger and port sauce.

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Cheddar Cottage Indian Restaurant

This Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant is everything you want from a curry house.   The food is consistently good, whether you choose an anglicised Tikka Masala or an authentic Bangladeshi Nagajal.  If your preferred dish is not on the menu the chefs will do their best to cook it for you anyway.  Being slightly off the tourist trail, it’s usually full of locals who have a good banter with the long-serving staff.  There’s a takeaway service too and customers are welcome to sit and enjoy a Kingfisher or Bangla beer while they wait. more

Cheddar Cottage