New to Caving - In Devon

MrPlymExplorer

New member
Hello everyone.

Myself and my wife have joined this forum to learn more about caving and see everyone else's experiences.

We have always been interested in caving but never had enough time to put towards it.

We love going to Kents Cavern in Torquay and that place first got us started in this adventure.

We are wanting to know some places around Devon/Cornwall that we can visit by ourselves and what you would call 'Beginner Caves'.

We have recently been to Kitley Show Cave and explored that. We also went to Ash Hole Cavern in Brixham but wasnt much to see there.

We live close to Radford Cave in Plymouth, had a little look through a tunnel that leads into the cave and are planning on going back there shortly.

I have been looking into Pridhamsleigh Cavern too, which we will be looking into shortly.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks, Simon.  :)
 

royfellows

Well-known member
First thing I would advise is to get some proper kit, if you haven't done so already. A helmet with chin strap and good electric light is the bare minimum. Please don't be lead by the YouTube baseball cap and cheap headtorch crowd.

Second, please try to make contact with either a club, or an informal bunch of experienced local friends who are already into doing this. Further advice will surely follow, you are in the right place on here.
 

MrPlymExplorer

New member
royfellows said:
First thing I would advise is to get some proper kit, if you haven't done so already. A helmet with chin strap and good electric light is the bare minimum. Please don't be lead by the YouTube baseball cap and cheap headtorch crowd.

Second, please try to make contact with either a club, or an informal bunch of experienced local friends who are already into doing this. Further advice will surely follow, you are in the right place on here.

Thanks Roy.

We have most of the appropriate gear already.

We have tried to reach out to the Plymouth Caving Group but we havent had a reply. Wondering if it's due to COVID.

I've had a look through the Devon & Cornwall thread and it looks interesting. I think the next place we are going to visit is Pridhamsleigh, followed by Radford.

I am hoping we can get into contact with fellow cavers located down here.
 

Ian Ball

Well-known member
All you need to go caving is a torch.  More kit just makes it a longer trip and a nicer trip.  I never go caving without knee pads  ;)

I understand Roy's sentiment, if you are 100% reliant on a torch then make sure you trust it.

I've never been caving in Devon which is a bit rubbish being an Argyle fan.
 

MrPlymExplorer

New member
Ian Ball said:
All you need to go caving is a torch.  More kit just makes it a longer trip and a nicer trip.  I never go caving without knee pads  ;)

I understand Roy's sentiment, if you are 100% reliant on a torch then make sure you trust it.

I've never been caving in Devon which is a bit rubbish being an Argyle fan.

Absolutely. Knee Pads is the next thing on the list as today my knee's are in agony from yesterday's adventures!

We normally take 4 torches with us and replacement batteries in case we need them.

Devon has some amazing caves to explore, I would definitely recommend visiting the caves rather than Home Park!!  :LOL:

 

Roger W

Well-known member
You really do need something solid on your head.  You've only got one skull to last you the rest of your life, and low bits of cave roof have a habit of appearing when you don't expect them.
 

royfellows

Well-known member
Roger W said:
You really do need something solid on your head.  You've only got one skull to last you the rest of your life, and low bits of cave roof have a habit of appearing when you don't expect them.

Obviously. Is someone above taking the piss?
 

aricooperdavis

Moderator
Pridhamsleigh is great and you could have a good few trips in there! If you want to go in Bakers Pit I'd recommend going with someone more experienced, but that's well worth trying. Speak to the Devon Speleological Society too :)
 

mrodoc

Well-known member
If you wish to PM me I can help you on Devon. I have been active in the region for the last 50 years!
 
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