Holwell Cave (Quantocks) - any info?

[Troy McClure]

I'm writing my memoirs about my time at Taunton School back in the late 80's, early 90's.

One of our many adventures was exploring what I understand is called Holwell Cave, a small system near the village of Merridge, about 8 miles north of Taunton.

I've been in touch with the father of one of my school mates who mapped the cave back in 1959, and he believes that a local caving club later explored it and made a more professional map. I've got him searching for his original sketches but he wasn't hopeful they had survived.

I don't suppose anyone has any further info on the cave, do they? Or a copy of the map?

Apparently the landowner has now denied access (http://www.cscc.org.uk/registry/registry_view.php?SiteNameLettersOnly=HOLWELL%20CAVERN)

From what a friend tells me after a visit a couple of years ago, the quarry allowing access has since been filled in. Any info is purely for nostalgia reasons.

If anyone fancies reading the chapter of my book relating to the cave, let me know and I'll email them the text.

 

[cap n chris]

I remember you. 

 

[rhychydwr1]

There is a survey in Mendip Underground by the SMCC who might be able to provide a better copy.  Also try the Mendip Cave Survey Scheme.  Will PM you.

 

[Cookie]

From the Mendip Cave Registry and Archive site
http://www.mcra.org.uk/Surveys/Holwell%20Cavern_web.jpg

If you want to publish it, please contact the MCRA or the Shepton Mallet Caving Club to check copyright. 

 

[Troy McClure]

Fantastic. Many thanks.

 

[Cookie]

No problem. Glad I could help.  :ang:

 

[menacer]

Ok Ok someone had to post this....
The Best Of Troy McClure


:

Im asssuming you're a fellow simpsons Fan ....welcome to the forum 

 

[Troy McClure]

Troy McClure: you may remember me from other forums such as www.pprune.org and http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/ - my standard forum alias.

I can see that when I get back to the West Country I'll have to join a caving club - stuck in Belfast at the moment flying 737's for easyJet - on transfer list for Bristol though.

Cheers guys.

 

[mrodoc]

I have sent you a long and detailed pm. I was an original explorer there

 

[pgtips]

I've been round Holwell a few times over the years. Permission has been rather off and on. I got permission about a year ago but it happened to be the day there was a fatality in Bridgnorth due to a fire being lit in a cliff overhang. The owner of Holwell took fright re public liability and promptly withdrew the permission granted a few hours earlier. More positively I have quite a few pictures taken in the cave, which you might find of interest. I'll message you my tel no.
There is another small cave not far from Holwell with digging potential (originally mrodoc's project). If anyone is interested please send a message with tel no.

 

[sophie.m]

Hi all,

I am currently looking to gain access to the Holwell Cavern for the purpose of a television documentary. If any one could give me any information on the ownership, contacts or how to gain access it would be hugely appreciated

Sophie M

 

[mrodoc]

I will send you a Personal Message.