Peak Cavern, Castleton, Derbyshire Peak District

England
Derbyshire

Peak Cavern

Located just west of Peveril Castle, Peak Cavern is accessed by a short walk from a car park off the High Street in Castleton. The path leads along a narrow gorge which leads to the largest cave mouth in Britain. Inside the cave mouth you can clearly see signs of habitation by rope makers, who used the caves to live and work for centuries.

Further in, the caves show the wear and tear of water actvity in the roformation of the cave chambers; indeed, the furthest parts of the caves may occasionally be closed of when heavy rains raise the water levels.

Note that in one section of the cave the ceiling is quite low, and visitors will need to crouch for 15 or 20 yards as they move deeper into the caverns. This should not prove a difficulty to most visitors, but if you have trouble stooping or if you are above average height it may provide a challenge.

Regular tours are conducted from the museum at the cave entrance. These tours include a fascinating demonstrating of the art of rope making as practiced by the artisans who used to call the caves their home.

Here are a few photos from a recent visit to Peak Cavern
click on an image to see a larger version

The approach to the mouth of Peak Cavern. You can just see the cave mouth at the bottom of the photo	Exhibit showing a rather dissolute example of the rope makers who lived and worked at the entry to Peak Cavern
Stalactite deposits	Looking from the mouth of the cavern into the caves

Details
Peak Cavern
Peak Cavern Walk
Castleton
Derbyshire
England
S33 8WS
Location: Located just west of Peveril Castle, Peak Cavern is accessed by a short walk from a car park off Castleton High Street.
Website: Peak Cavern
Email: info@peakcavern.co.uk
Phone: 01433 620 285
map
OS SK292 584