Complete Guide: Caving In Peak District

Whether you’re seeking adventure in the Peak District or just looking for some caves to see on your hikes, we’re here to share the best spots for caving in Peak District. 

You may know the Peak District in the UK to be a tranquil hiking destination, but did you know it’s also the best spot to go caving in England? This British national park has many unique natural landmarks, including over 30 caves full of fantastic underground formations. 

You can walk around some of the caves on your own, but you’ll need to enter with a tour for others. For example, the Peak District is home to the highest natural cavern in the UK, Titan Cave.

To enter this vast underground world, you’ll need to abseil into it under the guidance of a certified instructor. 

Best Caves In The Peak District

We’ve included the most popular caves in Peak District, with options for beginners and experienced cavers. 

Thor’s Cave, Wetton 

Thor’s cave is one of the best caves in Peak District as it’s the largest one you can visit for free and without a tour group. The cave is in the Manifold Valley of the White Peak, just outside the village of Wetton. 

There are two walking routes from the village that will take you to Thor’s Cave, a 5-mile trail (8 kilometers) and a shorter 3.5-mile (5.6 kilometers) course. However, on the 5-mile route, you’ll have the opportunity to explore other caves, too. 

There is a stunning view of Manifold Valley from the cave’s entrance, so you can take some incredible photos from inside the cave looking out. The entry is covered in polished rock, so take care if it is wet.

We recommend you take a torch with you to go all the way to the back of the cave and check out the walls there.

Robin Hood Cave, Stanage Edge

The Robin Hood Cave has been carved out in the cliff face of Stanage Edge and is so well hidden that many people pass by without knowing it’s there. The elevated cliffside cave gives lovely views of the park from the entrance and cliff top. 

It takes 20 and 30 minutes to reach Stanage Edge from Hollin Bank Car Park. Then to access the cave, you’ll need to follow a rocky trail from the top of the cliff down to the entrance.

This area is often very windy, so the cave makes for a welcoming retreat from the cold. 

Dove Holes Cave, Dovedale

Dove Holes in Dovedale is another excellent option for easy caving in Peak District without a tour guide.

Dove Holes Cave has a wide opening, which lets in ample light and sufficiently lights the inside. So, if you’re heading there during the day, you won’t even need a torch. 

Looking out from inside, you’ll enjoy a beautiful vista of River Dove and the mountain range. To reach it, you can take the 7-mile walking route from Thorpe and add a short detour from Ilam Rock, adding an additional 1.2 km to your hike.

Wetton Mill Caves, Wetton

While visiting Thor’s Cave in Wetton, we highly recommend checking out the two Wetton Mill caves.

You’ll find them side by side just above Wetton Mill, which you’ll pass on the 5-mile walking route from Wetton. One cave is significantly larger than the other, but they are both equally cool.

Speedwell Cavern, Castleton 

Speedwell Cavern near Castleton is a must-visit for those looking for a memorable caving experience in the Peak District.

You’ll need to go in with a tour as access to this cave network is by boat. This underground cave system has an eerie silence that can feel either peaceful or unsettling, depending on you.

First, you’ll descend 105 steps to an underground canal where you’ll board your tour guides’ boat. You’ll then cruise through an old lead mine before reaching a cathedral-like cavern with a vast subterranean lake known as the “Bottomless Pit.”  

Heights Of Abraham Caverns, Matlock 

The Heights of Abraham caverns were formed around 350 million years ago and, as you can imagine, are rich in history. This cave system is located in Matlock, and there are two caverns you can explore; The Masson Cavern and Rutland Cavern.

Both caverns are only accessible via a tour guide. Still, you don’t need to book in advance as tours frequently run throughout the day from the Heights of Abraham hilltop estate.

The cave system is illuminated by colorful lights, showing the fascinating geology of the underground chambers. 

Giant’s Hole, Castleton

Giant’s Hole near Castleton is a stream-way cave that is part of the area’s Karst topography. The cave eventually connects to Oxlow Cavern and Maskhill Mine through a complex system.

Still, there are many large passages that you can explore with a tour guide.

Giant’s Hole is popular with adventure seekers as you can abseil into it or follow the stream that runs through the entrance. In addition, giant’s Hole has many cool findings, such as an underground waterfall that you can also abseil down.

Another is Crabwalk, a narrow canyon where the water has eroded downwards over time. Hence, you have to walk sideways like a crab to pass through it.

Titan Cave, Castleton 

We’re ending the list with the deepest cave you can find in the UK. Titan Cave in Castleton has a depth of 464 feet (141.5m), which is twice the size of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

It was discovered in 1981 but was not accessible. So, it was only in 1999 that its actual size was revealed through tunneling, digging, and exploring.

Being the biggest in Britain, many experienced cavers have come to Titan Cave to check it out. Unfortunately, if you have no previous caving experience, you won’t be able to enter it, as you have to be physically fit, competent with ropework, and have experience with big pitches. 

But suppose you do have some previous caving experience in the Peak District. In that case, you can abseil into Titan Cave with one of the certified caving instructors in the area. 

Best Caving Tours In The Peak District

If you’re planning a day of Caving in the Peak District, we recommend booking a tour with one of the tour companies in the area.

Here are three tour operators that offer caving experiences for all levels, from guided walking tours to thrilling abseiling or climbing adventures.

Lost Earth Adventures

Lost Earth Adventures has many options for you to experience potholing in the Peak District.

You can choose between horizontal trips with no abseiling, climbing or ladders, or vertical trips involving some or all of these. They also offer half-day (3-hour) and full-day (6-hour) experiences.

For example, you can abseil into Carlswark Cavern and climb through the labyrinths of tight, winding passageways. Or you can check out the incredible underground waterfall at Giant’s Hole. 

Pure Outdoor

Pure Outdoor offers a selection of caving in Peak District adventures based on your level. For example, beginners can book the beginner caving day experience.

You’ll visit two cave systems in the area, exploring them on foot, although some areas of the caves will require you to crawl. However, there is no abseiling or climbing needed for this one.

For those with experience, you might be interested in the adventure caving day with abseiling and climbing. The route also involves a specialist ladder and safety line techniques.

The company supplies all the technical and safety equipment you need, such as an over-suit, boots, knee pads, harness, helmet, and head torch.

Acclimbatize

Acclimbatize is a locally based adventure company that offers half-day introductory caving and full-day intermediate vertical caving experiences in the Peak District.

You can do the half-day excursion even if it’s your first time caving, but you’ll need to be physically fit as it involves tricky sections where you’ll need to use a rope.

However, the experienced instructors will teach you the art of negotiating and squeezing through underground passageways and stay with you at all times, keeping you safe. 

The vertical caving day is for those with previous experience. It involves a challenging variety of rope techniques underground, personal abseils, and climbing the unique ‘electron’ style caving ladders.

So if you’ve already tried caving in the Peak District a few times, this is an excellent way to learn the technical and environmental aspects of cave exploration.

Final Thoughts On Caving In Peak District

Whether you’ve never been inside a cave before or you’ve abseiled into one elsewhere, exploring the cave networks of the Peak District makes for a fascinating day out.

For a gentle cave experience, incorporate Thor’s Cave and Wetton Mill Caves into a day hike. Or, for an adrenaline-filled adventure, sail into Speedwell Cavern or challenge yourself to abseil down Giant’s Hole.

Besides caving there is so much more to do and see in the Peak District, see for yourself below:

• Camping in Peak District
• Best views in Peak District
• Cottages in Peak District
• Best easy walks in Peak District