Which Peak District showcave best for 6 year old

[JB]

If you definitely were going to take a 6 year old to a showcave in the Peak District which one would you choose? I think Peak Cavern is a bit pedestrian really for a young 'un. Speedwell's good fun with the boat but might not be possible. I've not been in Blue John or Treak Cliff for ages. Any thoughts please?

Thanks,

Jules

 

[David Rose]

Speedwell, every time.

 

[Pitlamp]

Treak is perhaps the best for stalactites and has the added Blue John interest.
No boat ride though.

 

[Brains]

Pools Cavern in Buxton

 

[tdobson]

When I was young, I liked Blue John cavern. And I liked some (now removed) parts of the peak cavern tour. (Some fake rocks, just after the rope making, on left as you walk down the steps - guide would turn them over to show they were fibreglass).

Never been to speedwell - my dad always felt it wasn't that good cause "you just sat there" but ymmv. 6 yro me missed out on that, and adult me hasn't had the audience for it yet.

 

[JB]

Thanks all. It's not me that's going to be potentially taking the young un for a day out but I'll pass on. Speedwell might not be possible but I think they might have a nice time in Treak Cliff.

Brains - sorry forgot to write - they're based Hope Valley so Castleton area. I agree though - Pooles Cavern is really good!

 

[Pitlamp]

They're all good in their own ways; they each have different characters.

 

[Mark Wright]

Having worked down Blue John and Speedwell many years ago, I'd say Blue John will have the shortest queues, particularly
if they were going this weekend.

I regularly took parties of over 60 people down Blue John. You can only get 21 people on a Speedwell Boat and I don't think
Treak Cliff can accommodate parties as big as 60.

 

[wellyjen]

Peak Cavern, they don't need to stoop through Lumbago.

 

[Lankyman]

Take them to all of them and let them decide. I visited these (and more in the Dales as a kid) and I was hooked.

 

[Mrs Trellis]

Blue John is the longest and arguably the best trip; Treak Cliff has the best formations and is quite short.

 

[FabianE]

Blue John is my personal favourite as the tour felt very extensive and the route seemed to never stop
Managed a few times to be the only family on a tour and it was amazing!

 

[pwhole]

I would argue for Blue John Cavern personally too - in my opinion it's the best cave of the four, and the final vadose canyon is amazing. Plus Tony Marsden guides there, and he really knows what he's talking about. I've probably done the Speedwell canal too many times to enjoy it now - not least as probably half of them were wading behind the boat on the way out