Caving in the Peak District

The Peak District was the first area in the UK to be designated as a national park, and its natural geology – with much of the park being composed of carboniferous limestone – means that, along with all its attractions above the ground, there’s also a huge network of caves, caverns and underground passages to discover. Many of the area’s former mines are now ‘show caves’ with easy access for the public, where guided tours provide a perfect introduction to this fascinating subterranean world.

Our guide to the best Peak District caving experiences takes in the park’s most famous show caves, secret hideouts above the ground, and information on ‘wild caving’, with tips on how you can explore less developed sites under your own steam. 

Famous show caves in the Peak District

If you’re not sure where to start exploring, here are a few of the best Peak District caves to visit.

Peak Cavern (The Devil’s Arse)

Set in the gorge below Peveril Castle in Castleton, Peak Cavern is one of the most famous show caves in the Peak District, and its impressive natural entrance chamber – 100 metres long and 20 metres high – is the largest in the UK. The cave system was used by the rope makers who made ropes for lead miners between the 17th and 19th centuries, and evidence of their village still remains.

A trip through the illuminated tunnels takes in stalagmites, stalactites and flowstone formations in evocatively named chambers including the Great Cave, the Devil’s Cellar and Pluto’s Dining Room, as well as a cascade in Roger Rain’s House. If you’d like to explore this historic site, guided tours explain about the caves’ geology, history and folklore, and include a rope-making demonstration. 

The caves are open daily from April to October (10am to 5pm), with hourly tours, while from November to March there are three tours per day, and hourly tours at weekends. Full details of how to book tickets are available on the website. There’s a car park close by, and booking in advance is advised.

Local tip: The entrance chamber’s size and excellent acoustics make it a great concert venue, with gigs and pop-up cinema screenings held here regularly, particularly during summer. While you’re visiting the Peak District, it’s definitely worth checking the website to see if there are any events taking place.

Speedwell Cavern

High above Castleton in a former 18th-century lead mine at the foot of Winnats Pass, Speedwell Cavern’s particular claim to fame is that its underground passages are flooded. After clambering down more than 100 steps, you board a boat which then continues 200 metres below the hill to a huge cathedral-like chamber with a subterranean lake known as the ‘Bottomless Pit’. 

The round trip through the illuminated tunnels, with a guide who will fill you in on the mine’s history, takes approximately an hour. The caves are open daily all year round from 10am, with tours at regular intervals. 

Local tip: Wear comfortable shoes and dress warmly, as the cave temperature is rarely higher than nine degrees.

Treak Cliff Cavern

Renowned for its Blue John stone – a type of rare mineral found only here in the Peak District National Park – Treak Cliff Cavern offers another fascinating glimpse into the area's mining history. The beautiful Blue John stone formations here include the ‘Pillar’, the largest piece ever discovered.

A 50-minute self-guided tour (with commentary available on a downloadable app) visits the Witch’s Cave, Fairyland and the Dream Cave, multicoloured flowstone in Aladdin’s Cave, and the Stork, formed by hundreds of thousands of years of flowstone deposits. Look out for bats en route as well. 

The cavern is open daily from 10am. Booking details and a link to the tour guide app are available on the website. Its small museum displays examples of Blue John discovered in the mine, and you can pick up a piece of Blue Stone jewellery in the on-site shop. 

Local tip: In January, February and March, you can also book a longer (3-hour) visit, during which a craftsman accompanies you into the mine to find and polish your own piece of Blue John Stone. Don’t forget to stop for a few minutes to enjoy the view over Castleton and the Hope Valley on your way out.

Unique caving experiences

Blue John Cavern

Blue John Cavern is another site that's home to the national park’s unique precious mineral, and a series of illuminated passages and caverns make it one of the finest in Europe to visit. 

Guided walking tours lasting around an hour take in extensive Blue John stone deposits (it has eight of the world’s 15 known veins), impressive limestone strata and fossilised marine animals. Miners and craftsmen still work the cavern in winter, so you’ll find out how the mineral is extracted and see tools used in the process. Blue John jewellery is on sale in the gift shop.

The cavern is open daily and runs regular tours. 

Local tip: The cavern has lots of steep steps, so consider whether this trip is suitable for younger children, and wear sturdy footwear.

Poole’s Cavern

Named after a 15th-century outlaw who used the cave as a hideout, Poole’s Cavern is an impressive cave with a rich history, featuring large natural galleries carved by the Derbyshire River Wye, chambers with crystal stalactites, and evidence of historic occupation. 

Tours have been carried out here for centuries. Bronze items found on site suggest that the caves were used in Roman times (nearly 2000 years ago), and during the Victorian era the caverns even featured a bandstand and a monkey house. Look out for the soot deposits and rusting pipes that are remnants of the original 19th-century lighting system.

The cavern is open daily. Guided 45-minute tours throughout the day (which must be booked in advance) are hosted by knowledgeable guides who relate tales of local folklore, the caves’ history and the origins of the geological formations. You’ll visit the Roman Chamber, Great Dome, Sculpture Chamber and Poached Egg Chamber, named for its unusual stalagmite formations. 

Local tip: Guided SEN tours – which include the chance to handle fossils and replica ancient tools – are held on the first Saturday of the month.

Robin Hood’s Cave 

Located on Stanage Edge, a dramatic gritstone escarpment in the east of the Peak District, this small, hidden cave is reputed to have been a hideout of the famous outlaw Robin Hood. In truth, the main reason for a visit here is to experience the magnificent views from the ridge over the surrounding countryside, but the cave is accessible (with care), and the 4.3-mile (7 km) walk is undoubtedly worth the effort for the views alone, although we wouldn’t recommend it for younger children.

If this piques your interest, the Peak District Kids website has a comprehensive description of the walk and how to access the cave (with pictures, if you need convincing). 

Thor’s Cave

A mile outside the village of Wetton in the south of the park, Thor's Cave is a natural cavern in the face of a limestone crag, and another site with fabulous views of the Peak District countryside. Evidence has been found here of human occupation as far back as the Stone Age. The cave is clearly visible from the Manifold Way – a popular hiking path that follows the route of the former Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway – and is close to the beginning of this circular walk described on the Let’s Go Peak District website.

Whether you just visit the cave itself (take care, there’s a steep drop and it can be slippery), or go on to complete the circuit is up to you, but whichever you choose, you’ll be rewarded with memorable vistas of the rolling green Staffordshire hills.

Wild caving in the Peak District

Wild caving, often known as potholing in the UK, involves exploring caves that remain in their natural state, with little or no lighting or safety features. If you’re an experienced caver, you’ll know that this is a different activity entirely to visiting a show cave, and can involve negotiating darkness, steep drops, water hazards and some very narrow passages. The British Caving Association (BCA) has a useful introduction to wild caving on its website, with information on safety, equipment, caving clubs and finding a professional instructor. There are plenty of opportunities in the Peak District to wild caving, but you should bear the following safety tips in mind:

Preparation and safety

• Always go caving with a knowledgeable guide or group.

• Ensure you have the proper kit, which includes items such as helmets, a reliable headlamp, thermal clothing, climbing equipment and wellington boots.

• Make sure you check the weather conditions before your trip, as heavy rain can cause flooding in some caves.

• Always inform someone of your planned route and expected return time.

• Carry a first-aid kit and know basic first aid.

Environmental respect

• Follow the Countryside Code: leave no trace and respect the underground environment.

• Try to avoid touching formations, as oils from your skin can damage them.

• Take all litter home with you and dispose of it properly.

Peak District caving sites

If you think wild caving is for you, make sure you do some research first and are properly prepared. Here are a few suggestions for places to get started. 

Giants Hole

This site near Buxton is a challenging system for experienced cavers, with a mix of large chambers, tight crawls and underground rivers. The Peak District Caving website has a useful guide to safety and conditions when exploring.

Oxlow Caverns

Vertical caving experience is essential for this system, which is known for its vertical pitches and dramatic underground scenery. Make sure you bring SRT (Single Rope Technique) equipment and go with an experienced caver. Check out Peak District Caving’s Oxlow Caverns page for more information. 

Eldon Hole

Also close to Buxton, Eldon Hole is one of the deepest vertical caves in the Peak District, offering a thrilling descent and exploration. If you want to visit, it’s essential that you have the necessary vertical caving skills and equipment. More information is available on the Peak District Caving website.

 

Whatever your level of experience, the Peak District offers a wealth of opportunities to discover its remarkable subterranean world. Whether you prefer a walk, a boat trip or a guided tour, there’s something out there for you. 

 Back up at ground level, you can make the most of the area's fabulous scenery by staying at one of Pitchup's collection of the best Peak District campsites.