UK cave book or online resource?

Kenilworth

New member
Where is the best place to read a summary of karst areas in the UK and Ireland? I don't need a guidebook exactly but I would like to read about the various geological regions and the nature of the caves within them. I am willing to buy a book if an excellent one can be recommended, otherwise any online sources of interest would be helpful.
Many thanks,
JK
 

Les W

Active member
The book you probably want is "Karst and Caves of Great Britain"
Unfortunately it was quite a small print run, is long out of print and very collectable, so quite expensive if you can find a copy for sale (second hand).
You can read I believe the first chapter online at the JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) web site.
http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-3014

I recall there was an Image bank, somewhere online where all the images from the book could be found, and I also think I found somewhere that had all the text, however I don't recall where.
As it is out of print I would hope the JNCC would make a complete PDF available as they have with some of their other publications but unfortunately I don't believe the have yet.
Somebody on here might know different, or where I may have seen the text or the image bank.

Otherwise, there are regional publications, again mostly out of print, but much easier to come by, but they only really deal with the major Carboniferous Limestone regions. As most of the karst in the UK with significant cave development is of Carboniferous age, the other karst areas don't seem to have attracted the attention of the book writers.
There are plenty of papers and also the regional Geologic Memoirs from the BGS are worthy of a read but they are general geology books rather than a specific treatise on karst...

EDIT:
A quick search of the internet suggests that there are copies available on Amazon.com for $58 which seems a good price to me.
https://www.amazon.com/Karst-Britain-Geological-Conservation-Review/dp/0412788608

FURTHER EDIT:
I found the Image Bank...
http://www.thegcr.org.uk/ImageBank.cfm?v=12&Style=All
 

Les W

Active member
I have now found the text (and images) on the GCR web site. It is a bit long winded to get to them, and not all the sites are available, but most are.

First you need to go to http://www.thegcr.org.uk/SiteReports.cfm?
Then click "I acknowledge this notice" to move to the next step.
At the next step chose the select by volume
Then at the drop down chose the volume, in this case it is volume 12
There is then displayed a new drop down with all the sites listed ( a few are "greyed out and unavailable) then selecting a site you can get a summary of that site.
At the bottom of each summary there is a link to the full report. Each report is as published in the book so you can view most of the book, report by report. If you also go and find the index you can view the reports in the context of the original book.

Like I said, a bit long winded, but actually a fantastic resource and seeing as the original book now sells on the second hand market generally for more than ?100 when available, a chance for those who don't want to, or can't afford to chuck that kind of money at the book, to see it (mostly) on line.
 

Pitlamp

Well-known member
Simon Wilson said:
Caves and Karst of the Yorkshire Dales is in print and covers Britain's largest area of karst.

http://bcra.org.uk/bookshop/

Simon's right - this is an outstanding publication. Here a little more information which may be of use; it comes in two parts. The first part is more general and the second covers each main caving area of the Dales in much more detail. I suspect that Part 1 might be more appropriate for you (from the info you gave in your original question).
It is also pretty much up to date. Tony Waltham and Deej Lowe, who produced these two books on behalf of BCRA, are experts in their fields. They consulted experienced northern cavers widely and synthesised their input into what should be regarded as the definitive description of England's extensive northern karst area.
 

RobinGriffiths

Well-known member
If you want a general world overview, THE UNDERGROUND ATLAS (Waltham + Middleton) is a good resource (though out of date now). It's got a good, brief general overview of UK and Ireland and is available cheaply second hand from a certain well know online book store.

 

yrammy

Member
You would bew welcome to come and see what we have in the caving library . We are based near Buxton in Derbyshire. I am usually there on Wednesdays but can arrange visits. If you are interested email me on bcra-librarian@bcra.org.uk

Thanks
Mary
 
Top