Chudleigh Caves

[D.Snaith]

Is there a map or description of the caves in Chudleigh, The only information I have been able to find is on the DCUC page, they mark a good twenty or so but the locations seem to be quite inaccurate and more so in the generalised area of… im finding it difficult to distinguish what each of them is named, also have only managed to find about ten of them so far. Any pointers in the right direction or assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mikem]

Chudleigh caves

Hi im aware of caves in chudleigh im just wandering arethese open access? If so are they easy to navigate or are they mazes?

ukcaving.com

Take it this is yours

 

[D.Snaith]

That

Chudleigh caves

Hi im aware of caves in chudleigh im just wandering arethese open access? If so are they easy to navigate or are they mazes?

ukcaving.com

that is my own video, four separate small caves in it, although not certain on their names. Read the previous post too, regards to the book, can’t seem to find it anywhere.

 

[mikem]

Can't guarantee it's accuracy either, but: Tony Oldham et al (1986): The Limestones and Caves of Devon
or maybe "The Concise Caves Of Devon", A.D. Oldham, T.E.A. Oldham, T. Smart, 1986

 

[mrodoc]

There is a book .. But it isn't Tony's. Chris Proctor produced a series of books on the caving areas of Devon many years ago. Sadly he didn't get to cover the whole county by the Chudleigh and Kingsteignton area is well documented. Should be in the DSS library.

 

[D.Snaith]

There is a book .. But it isn't Tony's. Chris Proctor produced a series of books on the caving areas of Devon many years ago. Sadly he didn't get to cover the whole county by the Chudleigh and Kingsteignton area is well documented. Should be in the DSS library.

Unfortunately, from what i can see they do not appear to be in print anymore, I read about the Kingsteignton caves in some journals from another caving group, im assuming by how long ago these were it is unlikely that Rydon has the same landowner or any contact has been made with him for a while. On another note, I have access to the woodland directly opposite the A380 where rydon is located, never thought of caves being in the area but there are at least two lime kilns in there, I may pop down and have a closer look at the land.

 

[mrodoc]

Probably worth a look if there are any very old quarries in the woodland that have not been examined. As you probably know Coombesend Chasm is just up the road.

 

[D.Snaith]

Probably worth a look if there are any very old quarries in the woodland that have not been examined. As you probably know Coombesend Chasm is just up the road.

Is Coombsend still open? Again any information I can find online is from a rather long time ago and if i recall correctly i read somewhere that the entrance was subject to landfill.

 

[mrodoc]

Which club are you in?

 

[D.Snaith]

None currently, have individual bca membership, just been to have a look at coombesend, found three caves two barred and one gated in a corrugated portal at the base of a small quarry. All have signs warning of “toxic gas”. Not sure if this is the correct one, the DCUC location mark is just in a field.

 

[D.Snaith]

 

[JustinG]

Is there a map or description of the caves in Chudleigh, The only information I have been able to find is on the DCUC page, they mark a good twenty or so but the locations seem to be quite inaccurate and more so in the generalised area of… im finding it difficult to distinguish what each of them is named, also have only managed to find about ten of them so far. Any pointers in the right direction or assistance would be greatly appreciated.

You’re right, the Chudleigh entrances are a bit all over the place, and the DCUC map is quite rough. Most people tend to learn it by walking the crag and matching the obvious spots first (Pixie’s, Joint Mitnor, etc.) and then figuring out the smaller holes after a couple of visits. A few of them don’t have widely agreed-on names either, which doesn’t help.
If you spend a bit of time exploring the base and the top, the layout starts to make sense pretty quickly. Someone local might have a better survey, but on-foot is usually the easiest way to piece it together.

 

[mrodoc]

You might consider contacting John Boulton whose family owns the land on one side of the rocks and is a keen caver as is his father. If anybody wants to know more they can PM me. We dug open at least one system at Chudleigh in the 90's so I know the area moderately well!