Peaks cave nearest Leeds suitable for novices/ young cavers

[cavebunny]

I’d like to take the grandkids on their first caving trip, not too far from where they live (just south of Leeds).

Any suggestions?

 

[Katie]

How old are the grandkids?
Giants is good for a walk in trip, go have a look at Garlands (carefully!) and then back out.
Lots to do in Carlswark for kids, bit crawly, a bit wet but a good adventure!
Bagshawe is good too, but should be a BCA member for that (Free BCA membership for under 18s though)

 

[cavebunny]

How old are the grandkids?
Giants is good for a walk in trip, go have a look at Garlands (carefully!) and then back out.
Lots to do in Carlswark for kids, bit crawly, a bit wet but a good adventure!
Bagshawe is good too, but should be a BCA member for that (Free BCA membership for under 18s though)

Thank you - I did read your thread too and will work my way through the list! Giants is our preferred option but is still an hour and half drive, so still hoping for something a little nearer home if possible.

 

[phizz4]

Wouldn't upper and lower long churn be closer?

 

[Cantclimbtom]

According to Google right now:
Leeds to Stoney Middleton. (I second Katie's suggestion of Carlswalk and nice to show kids the oysters!) is about 1 hour 21 drive

But Leeds to Ingleton is about 1 hour 35 mins drive

So really you could consider some of the nearer Y. Dales too?

Carlswalk gin entrance with a handline/lifeline if they're nervous and young (but if tree climbing monkeys maybe no need, ) is a nice trip. Not a big walk in, can show them the oysters. They'd need to be up for a little sploshing about greater than welly depth though to see

 

[cavingbiker]

Thought of Dow Cave (Kettlewell) to the boulder choke but you're still looking an hour an a half drive.
Leeds to the Dales or the Peak district is about the same drive time.

 

[pwhole]

There's always Herne Hill Cave in Maltby town centre, which is quicker travel time (straight down the M18), but you have to pick up a key and drop it off again afterwards, which will add 20 mins more time! But it's dry, phreatic, crawly and has some formations.

https://peakdistrictcaving.info/home/the-caves/magnesian/herne-hill-cave-1

 

[pwhole]

Actually, I just checked my photos, and the formations are pretty rudimentary! But it's a nice cave for a bimble about, and definitely child-friendly.

 

[mikem]

Googlemaps suggests both castleton and stoney Middleton are about an hour from M1/M62 junction, but latter does involve driving through Sheffield... (bagshawe an extra 10 minutes). Maltby only 40 mins

It's about 15 minutes from centre of Leeds to that junction (traffic allowing), so dales definitely takes significantly longer from south side

 

[Pegasus]

Train to Ribblehead (a mini adventure in itself), I'll pick you up and they could have a play in the Dales......what am I letting myself in for!?

 

[Ed]

Train from Leeds to Ribble head. Easy cave there is, tea in the Station Inn. Back to Leeds.

Make an adventure off it all