Gorges in the UK

[StuartDH]

I went over to Dove Dale in the Peak District at the weekend, which is an amazing gorge that runs through the valley for a few miles with steep 200ft rock faces on each side.

Apart from the Cheddar gorge in Somerset, any idea where there are similar gorges in the UK? There are probably even one or two in the Peaks that I don't know about.

[nightshade]

Avon gorge Bristol,the one with the Brunel suspension bridge

[Tursiops]

Ebbor Gorge, not far from Cheddar. Smaller, less spectacular, but much less well known hence quieter and unspoilt. Lovely place for a walk with fantastic views from the top across the Somerset levels.
T

[Tragus]

There is one in Shropshire that I know about The Ironbridge Gorge,
Not as good as the above ones, but a natural gorge though. Also has claim to the first cast Iron Bridge in the world!
Tragus

[nightshade]

While looking for more gorges I came across this www.shiptongorge.org.uk
worth a look?

[mahgnitton]

not much of a gorge but in Wales there's Fairy Glen in Betws-y-coed, very near to it there's also Swallow falls and Conwy falls, the river conwy runs Parallel with the A5 from Conwy falls towards Betws-y-coed and is a steady walk above it on the left and right

this is a picture I took at Fairy glen http://www.deviantart.com/view/23398390/

B&W river conwy off the A5 http://www.deviantart.com/view/22621872/

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by StuartDH

Apart from the Cheddar gorge in Somerset, any idea where there are similar gorges in the UK? There are probably even one or two in the Peaks that I don't know about.

The path and river from cheedale to millers dale in the peak runs through an impresive gorge, also several on the ingleton waterfalls trail in the southern yorkshire dales.

[Alan]

Gordale Scar in Yorkshire is quite impressive:

http://www.go4awalk.com/userpics/brianthompson4.php

[Wild-Woman]

I should think the best places would be anywhere there is limestone. Some of the best scenery and wildlife in Britain is on limestone. Be nice if you found some limestone pavement with all the fauna and flora in the gaps. Happy hunting. ww

[Barnes]

Typically 'gorges' are river cut valleys - often dry in the valley head, which have been erroded through Carboniferous limestone. The younger limestones in the UK those of Jurrassic and Creataceous dates, are much softer than the Carboniferous and tend not to support the formation of deep narrow 'gorge' valleys found on the Carboniferous rocks.

The difference between the Somerset gorges and similar features in Wales and Northern England is that Somerset was not subject to recent glaciation so the gorges can be both relatively old (+12,000 years) and still retain their very narrow 'slot' like profile. One effect of this age difference is that some long established and unique micro habitats can be found in the Bristol and Somerset gorges.

In addition to the Avon gorge Bristol has a small, but also quite spectactular gorge formation within the Blaise Castle estate on the north west edge of the City. A number of small gorge fomations run roughly east - west toward the Servern Estuary, from just to the west of Bristol Airport in North Somerset, while Cheddar Gorge is just one part of a heavily valleyed upland containing many smaller gorges and a mass of cave systems.

To coin a phrase - Carboniferous uplands er ... rock !