Best caves for visitors near Orpheus.

[Occasional Borderer]

Looking for advice on "bucket list" caves near the Orpheus hut for an upcoming trip since it's an area I'm not too familiar with.

What's worth doing, What's required for them, and is there anything else small and a bit laid back for Sunday?

 

[Pitlamp]

The obvious answer is the Knotlow / Hillocks system at Monyash.
Other than that it depends what you mean by "near".

 

[Pipster]

Water Icicle Close Cavern?

 

[Andy Farrant]

Masson Cavern and some of the other old mines around Matlock are great for a Sunday bimble. Lots of interesting things to see.

 

[paul]

For a comprehensive list, have a look at:

Caves in the Lathkill Dale area

Locations: Peak District, Location: Derbyshire, Location: Staffordshire, Caves, Mines, Potholes, Caving, Potholing, Guides, Surveys, Speleology, Hydrology

peakdistrictcaving.info

As Pitlamp says the Knotlow/Hillocks/Whalf Pipe system are a short drive away next to Monyash. Water Icicle is also worth a trip but you need to arrange parking access in Derby Lane in Monyash in advance r walk from the village.

 

[wellyjen]

For small and laid back for Sunday, plus close to the Orpheus hut, how about Bottle Pot? SRT pitches in clean washed limestone, down to some horizontal development. A walk up some of the little hills around there, like Chrome Hill would be good too, if the weather complies.

 

[Logismos]

For small and laid back for Sunday, plus close to the Orpheus hut, how about Bottle Pot? SRT pitches in clean washed limestone, down to some horizontal development. A walk up some of the little hills around there, like Chrome Hill would be good too, if the weather complies.

Any of the other little caves around there worth popping into?
Swallowdale Sink? Chrome Hill Swallet?

I've certainly heard of Owl Hole

 

[wellyjen]

Any of the other little caves around there worth popping into?
Swallowdale Sink? Chrome Hill Swallet?

I've certainly heard of Owl Hole

I don't know. I have only been to Bottle Pot and Owl Hole. There is clearly a lot of cave under the area still to be found though.

 

[caving_fox]

Owl is a fun Sunday bimble, derbyshire pretty, slightly entertaining entrance. IIRC there's a nearby dig you can drop into as well. But as above, Knotlow/Hillows, Water Icicle,

 

[JonP]

For small and laid back for Sunday, plus close to the Orpheus hut, how about Bottle Pot? SRT pitches in clean washed limestone, down to some horizontal development. A walk up some of the little hills around there, like Chrome Hill would be good too, if the weather complies.

We were refused access, when we attempted this. Sounds like this could be a common occurrence.

Access agreement as per peakdistrictcaving.info

Think the farmer wants plenty of notice and proof of insurance.

 

[wellyjen]

O

We were refused access, when we attempted this. Sounds like this could be a common occurrence.

Access agreement as per peakdistrictcaving.info

Think the farmer wants plenty of notice and proof of insurance.

Once you jump through the hoops, they seemed very friendly. A trip to arrange in advance.