List of Caves in England

England’s countryside hides a surprising underworld: sinkholes, vertical shafts and long limestone passages that tell stories of geology, mining and human exploration. Many sites are easy to visit, while others require permits or experienced cavers.

There are 26 Caves in England, ranging from Alum Pot,Wookey Hole Caves. For each entry you’ll find below County/Region, Coordinates (lat,long), Length (m), so you can compare location and scale at a glance before planning a visit.

Are the coordinates and lengths reliable for trip planning?

The list pulls from survey records and authoritative sources, but cave surveys can be updated; use the coordinates and length as a starting point and check local caving clubs or official sites for recent changes, access restrictions, and surface approach details.

Which of these caves can the public safely visit?

Access varies: some, like show caves, have visitor facilities and guided tours, while others are gated or require experienced teams and equipment—always confirm current access rules, seasonal closures, and safety recommendations from local authorities before going below.

Caves in England

Images and Descriptions

White Scar Cave

A dramatic showcave near Ingleton with vast caverns and an easy guided trail; public access (paid tours). Around 6 km of passages, famous for stalactites, the Cathedral and accessible pathways—great for families and photographers.

Ingleborough Cave

Showcave at Clapham near Ingleton offering river passages and guided walks; public access with tours. About 2,000 m of passages, boat sections and limestone formations—suitable for casual visitors and school groups.

Gaping Gill

One of Britain’s largest natural underground shafts (98 m deep) on Ingleborough; access via winch meet (annual) or by experienced cavers with club permission. Spectacular vertical chamber and natural waterfall—photogenic but not casual-visitor friendly.

Ease Gill Caverns

England’s longest mapped cave system (approx. 18 km) in the Lune Gorge area; cavers only with experience and club liaison. Complex passages and sumps, notable for cave diving opportunities and long through-trips for experienced teams.

Alum Pot

Famous pothole on the Ingleborough plateau with deep shafts and connections to other systems; access by experienced cavers (permit recommended). Near Ingleton, popular for SRT trips and dramatic entrances—no casual visitor facilities.

Rowten Pot

Large pothole near Ingleborough with a deep shaft and active streamway; visited by cavers with ropes and local knowledge. Close to Clapham/Ingleton, offers adventurous vertical descent and scenic moorland approach.

Kents Cavern

Prehistoric showcave in Torquay with important human and faunal remains; public access with guided tours. About 1,000 m of passages open to visitors—educational displays, easy paths and family-friendly visits.

Wookey Hole Caves

River-eroded limestone showcaves near Wells with theatrical shows and museum; public access (paid). Roughly 3,500 m of passage known, famous for the Witch of Wookey legend, bone finds and commercial visitor facilities.

Gough’s Cave

Cheddar Gorge’s main showcave near Cheddar village; public tours and impressive stalactites. About 3,000 m of known passages, historic human remains and easy visitor paths—busy in summer, pre-book for tours.

Cox’s Cave

Another Cheddar showcave close to Gough’s with decorated chambers and family tours; public access (paid). Shorter than Gough’s (~1,100 m), offers theatrical lighting and educational exhibits—good for short visits.

Poole’s Cavern

Limestone showcave in Buxton with an extensive cavern and guided tours; public access and visitor centre. Around 1,000 m of mapped passages, easy paths and scenic parkland—suitable for families and casual tourists.

Blue John Cavern

Near Castleton, a small showcave famous for the Blue John mineral; public tours and a small shop. About 450 m of passages, known for colorful banded fluorspar and demonstrations of historic mining—booked tours recommended.

Peak Cavern

Also called “The Devil’s Arse”, a large natural entrance at Castleton with show sections and theatrical events; public access with guided visits. Extensive natural passages (~3,700 m), historic significance and easy visitor facilities.

Treak Cliff Cavern

Small commercial cavern near Castleton known for Blue John veins and close-up mineral displays; public tours. About 300 m open to visitors, hands-on demonstrations and compact, atmospheric chambers ideal for short visits.

Stump Cross Caverns

Showcave near Pateley Bridge with stalactite displays and easy walkways; public access with guided options. Approximately 700 m of passages, visitor centre and family-oriented facilities—good on a Dales day out.

Swildon’s Hole

Major Mendip cave system near Priddy with long active streamways; cavers only and often requires diving skills. Around 9 km of passages, frequent flood potential—popular with experienced cavers and exploration teams.

Eastwater Cavern

Active cave on the Mendips with deep shafts and notable stream passages; access for experienced cavers only via club contacts. Near Cheddar, provides technical vertical trips and scenic moorland approaches—avoid in wet weather.

Longwood Swallet

Mendip entrance with streamway passages and active exploration history; caver access via club permission. Roughly 2,000 m of passages, muddy and technical in places—popular with local cave explorers.

Bull Pot of the Witches

Large limestone pothole in Ribblesdale with submerged passages and surface cavern; cavers with ropes and experience only. Near Ingleton/Settle, impressive entrance and links to other systems—no tourist facilities.

Goyden Pot

Notable pothole in the Dales with deep pitches and stream passages; requires SRT and caving experience. Close to the Dales walking routes, dramatic vertical caving for competent teams—seasonal access considerations.

Death’s Head Hole

A deep pothole on the Ingleborough plateau with steep descent and connecting passages; cavers only. Near Ribblehead, offers classic Yorkshire pothole experience—rugged approach and technical descent.

Falling Foss Cave

Scenic cave near a waterfall in the Lake District area with short walk-in passages; reached from local footpaths. About 600 m of mapped passages, pleasant for walkers and geology enthusiasts—check local access and terrain.

Lancaster Hole (Leck Fell caves)

Complex Leck Fell cave system entry with long through-trips and connections to extensive systems; experienced cavers only. Around 10 km of passages mapped in the area, used for multi-pitch trips and serious exploration.

Whitewell Pot

Classic Dales pothole with waterfall and deep shafts; caver access via local clubs. Near Ingleton, offers impressive vertical features and river entry points; seasonal hazards and water levels vary.

Lathkill Head Cave

Small natural cave at the Lathkill Dale river resurgence with easy public access from footpaths. About 400 m of passages, pleasant for walkers and families—good stop on a Dales valley walk.

Bishop’s Lot Cave

Coastal limestone cave near Brixham with historic interest and short walk-in passages; informal access. Around 350 m of mapped passage, scenic coastal setting—watch tides and private land access.

Caves in Other UK Regions