Discover the 4 Deepest Canyons and Gorges in England

England isn’t known for towering mountains. The country’s tallest mountain is just over 3,200 feet, which makes it easy to rule out the country as having many canyons and gorges. England does, however, house some impressive natural wonders, though not the same depths as Americans expect, but England’s gorges and canyons take your breath away. Join us for a closer look at the four deepest canyons and gorges in England.

1. Cheddar Gorge & Caves in Somerset (Approximately 449.4 feet)

Choosing the deepest canyons and gorges in England proves challenging as some do not give the depth, only the length. But, Cheddar Gorge & Caves is clearly England’s deepest gorge with a depth of just over 449 feet. Situated in Southwestern England, the gorge and its caves are in Somerset, a rural village known for its apple orchards.

It’s a limestone gorge nestled in the Mendip Hills. Cheddar Gorge’s trail system takes just over two hours to complete, with a three-mile cliff walk that follows each side of the gorge and requires climbing at times. Don’t worry, there are easier trails. Start near the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, progress to Gough’s Cave, and go up over the cliffs. Wind back down to Jacob’s Ladder and the Lookout Tower.

Check out the Museum of Prehistory to learn more about the 9,000-year-old man, Cheddar Man, discovered in Gough’s Cave during an expedition in 1903. Scientists extracted his DNA, learning more about life 10,000 years ago. Much of Cheddar Gorge & Caves is dog-friendly.

2. Gordale Scar in Yorkshire Dales National Park (Approximately 330 feet)

Gordale Scar sits on the Malham Landscape Trail, a trail formed on the Middle Craven Fault. Glacial meltwater carved limestone within the ravine, creating England’s second-deepest gorge. Hikes along the ravine pass by Janet’s Foss, a small waterfall ending in a wide pool for swimming. The waterfall’s mossy rocks collect dissolved limestone creating porous rock formations known as tufa.

The Malham Landscape Trail brings hikers to Malham Cove, where peregrine falcons nest. Accessible routes provide those with low mobility to view the mile-long Gordale Scar to Janet’s Foss, which some may recognize from Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal.

3. Avon Gorge in Bristol (300 feet)

Not only is Avon Gorge the third deepest gorge in England, but it’s also extremely wide at 700 feet. The gorge winds through limestone and sandstone ridges with the highest point at the site where the Clifton Suspension Bridge spans the widest part of the gorge.

Avon Gorge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with more than 24 rare plants found throughout the gorge and the return of peregrine falcons after an absence spanning several decades,

Clifton and Durdham Downs make up the eastern side of Avon Gorge and have a wildlife area and trails for birdwatchers. Leigh Woods is on the other side, forming a woodland that backs the entrance to Clifton Suspension Bridge.

4. Deep Dale in Buxton, Derbyshire (230 feet)

At number four for England’s deepest canyons and gorges is Peak District National Park’s Deep Dale. Typically dry in the summer, the gorge forms a stream in the winter and spring that’s fed by two springs that wind their way to the River Wye.

Deep Dale is two miles long and reaches a depth of 230 feet with limestone cliffs on both sides. In the late 1800s, boys found Roman artifacts in one of the gorge’s caves, and those artifacts call Buxton Museum home now.

It’s a nature reserve managed by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, and it’s an SSSI-designated gorge because of the jackdaws, kestrels, and a variety of rare plants.

Honorable Mention: The Lyd Isn’t the Deepest Canyon or Gorge in England, But It’s Gorgeous

Lydford Gorge, the Lyd for short, is just 114.8 feet deep but covers 1.5 miles in Dartmoor National Park. It may not be the deepest canyon or gorge in England, but it is the deepest in South West England. Erosion from a nearby river caused the gorge that’s been managed by England’s National Trust since 1954.

Two features make this a must-see natural site. White Lady Waterfall plummets 100 feet to the River Lyd, and the other is Devil’s Cauldron, a stunning, crystal-clear pothole formed in the deepest part of the gorge. The best way to see it is by standing on the deck over the River Lyd.