Caverns & Caves in Derbyshire

Caves, Mines & Caverns
in the Derbyshire Peak District

Some of the deepest and most challenging caves suitable for potholing in Britain are to be found in and around the Hope Valley at Castleton in the Peak District National Park of Derbyshire. For the less adventurous there are show caves and caverns with supervised tours. Some of them follow.

Green Lane, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9DH.
Tel: 01298-26978. Fax: 01298 73563. Email: info@poolescavern.co.uk
Website: www.poolescavern.co.uk.
An impressive natural cave formation with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. Many large galleries, and suitable for people of all ages. Open daily Easter to November from 10.00am to 5.00pm (closed Wednesdays) - but check times haven't changed before you set off.

The Great Rutland Cave

Poole's Cavern, Buxton

Buxton Road, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WP.
Tel: 01433-620 638. Website: www.bluejohn-cavern.co.uk.

The Original Blue John Craft Shop
Cross Street, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WH. Tel: 01433 620 642.

Opening Times
We are open every day except Christmas day and New Years Day (weather permitting)
9.30am - 5.30pm in Summer and 9.30am - Dusk in Winter.

An historic cavern containing the first known mined deposits of the Blue John mineral for which the locality is famous. It was worked by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. Very large pieces have been mined intact, and several are used to make large tables on display at the Ollerenshaw Collection in Castleton Village. Guided visits through many colourful caves, including the Crystallised Cavern and the Waterfall Cavern, the latter being a massive stalagmitic formation. There is also a small exhibition of 19th century miner's working implements.

Castleton, Derbyshire. Tel: 01433-620 571. Website: www.bluejohnstone.com.
Claimed to be some of Britain's finest stalactite and stalagmite formations, imaginatively illuminated to often startling effect. Guided visitor tours through a quarter mile of galleries, chambers and passages. The cavern mine contains rich veins of the Blue John mineral, mined here since 1750. The Pillar is the largest piece of Blue John left in the cavern. About half a ton of mineral is still extracted each year.

Winnats Pass, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WA. Website: http://speedwellcavern.co.uk.
Tel: 01433 620 512. Fax: 01433 621 888. Email: info@speedwellcavern.co.uk
Located at the foot of the Winnats Pass, the Speedwell Cavern is in many ways a unique cavern experience, as visitors are rowed through the 200 year old lead workings by boat. A complex labyrinth of passageways, cut by hand with primitive tools to extract lead, there is a complex network of passageways and caverns.
Speedwell School & Group Visits catered for - all age ranges from Key Stage 1 through to GNVQ level. Special rates are offered for pre-booked groups, and a special “Joint Ticket” is available for groups wishing to visit both Peak and Speedwell Cavern.
Opening:
--- April to October daily 10.00am to 5.00pm, (later at peak times)
Tours at regular intervals - last tour 4.00pm (later at peak times).
--- November to March daily 10.00am to 4.00pm. Last tour 3.00pm.