Suitable 'family' caves in derbyshire.

[terry-w]

Hello all,

I have a family camping/caravanning weekend in August in Derbyshire, camping in the Hope valley site.  My friends kids would like to go down a 'real' cave as they are really into caves at the moment  - something to do with a kids  TV character who lives in a cave. 

Can anyone suggest anywhere suitable?  They are 4 and 6 years old.  Does there exist somewhere that we can walk into and have a look around for 10/15 mins without any real obstacles.  We wouldn't really have to go far out of daylight but enough to make them feel that it was a real cave needing helmets, waterproofs, lights and chocolate!.  Also somewhere family friendly - not to far from the road and the rest of the group could picnic outside with the younger kids. 

My first thought was about the entrance bit of Giants.  I have been down this but a very long time ago and therefore can't remember much of it apart from the crabwalk.  I am not keen on taking them anywhere near the top of a pitch but is there is enough to see before the pitch and would it be OK for kiddies?  jug holes was my other idea but would prefer somewhere nearer to casleton.

TIA . Terry.

 

[SamT]

Giants entrance would probably be best. Basecamp chamber and back if they are feeling adventurous. Family can picnic in the car park - if its not too windy.  They'll get wet feet in the stream (possibly).

Suicide cave in winnats - if you can stand the stench of wee.

Bagshawe Cavern - down the steps to the bottom and back - or further if you want.  My little lad calls it 'The cave in the cupboard' owing to the door on the entrance.

There must be others.

 

[terry-w]

Cheers, Sam.
Isnt bagshaw gated - I thought you had to arrange a permit and meet someone to let you in?
How busy is Giants these days?  Would we be trampled by lots of groups?  I didn't know there was a car park.  I have a vague memory of driving to a farm and parking in a field there but might be my memory losing it.
terry.

 

[paul]

How busy is Giants these days?  Would we be trampled by lots of groups?  I didn't know there was a car park.  I have a vague memory of driving to a farm and parking in a field there but might be my memory losing it.

Giants Hole seems to vary in numbers - last Sunday I drove past in the afternoon and there was only one vehicle in the car park.

Ther is a large car park and a place to deposit fees for the cave visit. See the DCA's website for access information generally and also Peak District Caving Info for more info on caves themselves.

A trip to the top of Garlands Pot is straightforward so you could consider that.

 

[SamT]

Cheers, Sam.
Isnt bagshaw gated - I thought you had to arrange a permit and meet someone to let you in?

Contact Amanda Revell to arrange a trip and get access code for the door.

see - http://www.eldonpotholeclub.org.uk/bagshawe_cavern.html#visiting_bagshawe_cavern

 

[Ralph]

I would suggest that Suicide is not the best place for beginners-particularly now that it involves a short "pitch"  since the entrance boulder choke collapsed. There is also an ominous piece of rock on the right wall of the passage leading away from the bottom of the first pitch.
Devonshire would be a good venue for novices with a minimum of kit required.
Stoney also offers a superb little beginners trip starting with Windy Ledge Cave, Keyhole then Carleswark -as far as you want to go, it gets wet and muddy but kids seem to revel in that!

 

[ditzy 24//7]

i would suggest the following especally if your happy with mines aswell as caves -

holme bank churt mine
ashford black marble mine
carleswark (if you dont mind getting a bit wet)
entrance series in giants
devonshire
whapping - cumberland
mouldridge mine
gautries
peak cavern (if you can get permission)
brightgate
jug holes
great masson

(problem when you say cave for a family is that a lot of "caves" have pitches in derbyshire but there are a lot of easy mines you could do)

 

[martinb]

i would suggest the following especally if your happy with mines aswell as caves -

holme bank churt mine
ashford black marble mine
carleswark (if you dont mind getting a bit wet)
entrance series in giants
devonshire
whapping - cumberland
mouldridge mine
gautries
peak cavern (if you can get permission)
brightgate
jug holes
great masson

(problem when you say cave for a family is that a lot of "caves" have pitches in derbyshire but there are a lot of easy mines you could do)

Dunno about Brightgate - it involves a 2m back and foot then a very awkward left hand bend, and then there is the fun and games of the Labyrinth!

 

[zomjon]

To martin, I took a four year old down there and he did a hell of a lot better than me, though I was with someone who knew his way around!

 

[cavermark]

Windy Knoll fits most of your criteria I'd say...or is it illegal now?

 

[ditzy 24//7]

as far as i know you arnt ment to go in windy knoll

 

[ogof addict]

they might enjoy the slide in Peak


here's a link on who to contact for access. you will have to sign a form saying you understand the risks etc - but i dont remember if there is an age limit
http://www.peakspeedwell.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=4&Itemid=13

hope they enjoy wherever you end up going