Deepest caves in the Peak

Rob

Well-known member
Mostly for my interest, and from lack of finding anything online, I?ve put together a list of the deepest ?caves? in the Peak District. This has been compiled primarily using the latest CotPD, but also using the Castleton Caves survex file. It?s a little controversial as to whether include mines, so I?ve tried to use my judgement.

1. 268m Peak Speedwell
2. 211m Giants/Oxlow/Maskhill*
3. 180m Nettle Pot
4. 145m Winnats Head
5. 125m Waterways Swallet
6. 100m Rowter Hole*
7. 90m Blue John Cavern
8. 82m Eldon Hole
9. 76m Hungerhill Swallet
10. 70m P8 Jackpot
11. 70m Christmas Swallet
12. 64m Bagshaw Cavern*
13. 61m Carlswark/Merlin*
14. 56m Eyam Dale House Cave*
15. 55m Lathkill Head Cave
16. 53m Darfar Pot
*assisted by mines
 

bograt

Active member
Think I may have asked before, but any sign where it might come out at the "other end?".
 

pwhole

Well-known member
Main Rising...? ;)

Seriously though, (having no clue as to their lateral direction or bearing) I'm really hoping that it's actually developments along Shack Hole Scrin, as that one seems completely unknown underground. Given it directly connected the Rowter Hole and Longcliffe Mine sites, both 'known' vein-cavity mine/cave systems, and it's called 'Shack Hole', there must be something going on down there. Myself and another fool spent an hour jumping up and down on the blocked engine shaft hollow at the Longcliffe end last year to no avail, although it seemed to have recently slumped a bit at the top, hence our enterprising effort.

One other possible candidate could be Winyates Grove, which I believe to be the spoil heaps uphill from the bend in the Winnats Pass road. Given the new depth of Rowter, and the further depth it may attain, it's getting damn close to there - at least altitude-wise. They seem to be shaft hollows, though way too exposed for a dig, which is why I presume it hasn't ever been attempted - or has it? Maybe JW Puttrell and friends had a poke whilst mooching around Speedwell - I can't imagine they wouldn't have looked at least, given it was just a dirt track then, and he'd been up the Halfway House series too. Whatever, that seems the closest 'other stuff'.

Also - does Long Rake count as a cave assisted by mining too?
 

Rob

Well-known member
pwhole said:
...Also - does Long Rake count as a cave assisted by mining too?
I did wonder about Long Rake. Discounted it because if i remember correctly the natural is mostly in the bottom half only.

Also until the politics gets sorted to allow access i don't think it should be allowed up there! Naughty little mine!
 

bograt

Active member
Rob said:
pwhole said:
...Also - does Long Rake count as a cave assisted by mining too?
I did wonder about Long Rake. Discounted it because if i remember correctly the natural is mostly in the bottom half only.

Aah, you mean like Rowter and Knotlow?
 

David Rose

Active member
That 268m for Peak- Speedwell: is that from Titan or JH? Is that the second deepest in the UK? And is the OFD figure reliable?
 

Rob

Well-known member
It's from JH. According to the Survex file, JH is 1.18m higher than the Titan entrance.
 

martinm

New member
Rob said:
16. 53m Darfar Pot
*assisted by mines

If we can link Riverside Swallet to Darfar Pot, it will be at least another 5m deeper.

Also, you forgot Robin's Shaft Mine * which has loadsa natural in it and is currently 97m deep.

Regards, Mel.
 
Only a physical connection or a dye test will confirm it, but I strongly suspect that Rowter is heading for 'A Grand Day Out' at the top of the Assault Course....

D.
 
Ok, just had a look at the 3d Survey on Survex.

So it might be heading somewhere behind Whirpool Rising? I didn't realise 'A Grand Day Out' had gained so much height from the end of the Assault Course...

D.
 
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