Wookey Hole, Somerset Review
Wookey Hole
Reviewed by Judy Cera
Today (31 May 2014) I went with my husband and our two sons to Wookey Hole in Somerset, home to the famous caves and witch.
We arrived at 10am just as it was opening. It was well signposted and there was ample free parking.
On arriving, we were greeted by a pirate who chatted to the children before showing us where to wait for the cave tour. The tour was very interesting and informative. We were taken through the caves by a very friendly and knowledgeable guide who told us all about the history of the caves and the legend of the witch of Wookey Hole. We were shown stalactites and stalagmites, and some interesting rock formations including one which people used to believe was the witch turned to stone. We walked through the tunnel where Indiana Jones was chased by a boulder during the filming of The Temple of Doom. We saw (and smelt!) the cheese which is left to age in the caves, and is sold in the shop. It was a fascinating tour.
The main attraction of our visit was the brand new 4D cinema which will open in August but we were lucky enough to have a sneak preview. First we were handed 3D glasses and led into a room where we met the witch and her bat. The bat had been messing around with the witch’s topsy turvy spells, and everything in the room was upside down; there were chairs and tables on the ceiling and upside down book shelves on the walls. The witch was very angry when she saw what the bat had been up to, and so the bat thought it wise to usher us through the door into the next room which was the cinema.
The first thing I noticed was how big and comfortable the seats were. We were told that most of the 4D effects were working, except for the water sprays which will be functioning in time for the summer. I have to say I wasn’t too disappointed to hear that! The short film was entitled “The Lost World” and tells the story of Bob, who went to an island for a restful holiday, only to discover that the island is inhabited by dinosaurs. We go along with Bob on his adventure as he tries to escape from these fearsome creatures. The 4D effects are amazing; our seats shake as the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex stomps towards us, and we even feel his breath on the back of our necks as he comes closer, thanks to a jet of air in the head rest of our seat. Leaves come out from under our seat to tickle our ankles when Bob’s plane lands on the ground. Our seats move so we almost feel as if we are flying through the air along with Bob, while being chased by a flying dinosaur. It was a great experience for all of us, but is not for the faint hearted and not recommended for children under the age of three.
As well as the tour and the cinema, there are many other attractions such as a paper making demonstration and a soft play area. There is also a theatre where you can see a circus show. My boys really enjoyed the hall of mirrors and getting lost in the mirror maze.
The caves are even licensed for weddings if you are looking for a unique venue for your big day!
All in all it was a great day out and I would definitely recommend it.
Rating: 5/5 
Standard tickets cost: Adults £18, Children (3-14 years) £12, Seniors (69 years +) £12. Save 15% on these prices by booking online.
For more information or to book tickets visit www.wookey.co.uk.
Wookey Hole Caves, The Mill, Wells BA5 1BB | 01749 672243
