Barrie and Kathy
Cartledge
Oysterber Farm,
Low Bentham,
Lancaster,
LA2 7ET
Tel.015242 61567

Caving in the Area

The area around Oysterber Farm Holiday Cottages happens to be, among other things, the premier caving area in England. It boasts the 21st longest cave in the world, Ease Gill Caverns (70,500 metres), as well as the world famous Gaping Ghyll.

There are three excellent tourist caves in the area, where experienced cave guides will give you a tour:

Ingleborough Cave

Whitescar Cave

Stump Cross Cavern

Gaping ghyll is well worth visiting. The easiest way to get to it is to walk from Clapham on the nature trail past Ingleborough cave and through Trow Gill (approximately 2.5 miles). The sight of Fell Beck plunging twice the height of Niagara Falls into a dark abyss is spectacular. Don't stand to close to the edge though!
If you happen to be stopping over either the Whitsun bank holiday, or the August bank holiday, then it is possible to be winched down the 340ft shaft of Gaping Ghyll and explore the caverns beneath. This is a very memorable experience. The winch meet is organised by local Pothole Clubs:

Whitsun Holiday Winch Meet, arranged by the Bradford Pothole Club

August Bank Holiday Winch Meet arranged by the Craven Pothole Club

If you feel adventurous, why not explore the old Victorian show cave, Yordas Cave. This has the advantage of not costing you anything and no special caving equipment is required. You will need torches and walking boots or wellies if it is particularly wet. Yordas cave is located in Kingsdale. Follow the road up Kingsdale from Thornton in Lonsdale (near Ingleton), pass Braida Garth farm on your right and look for a small wooded area to your left. Follow the path up to the wooded area and through the obvious arched entrance into a superb underground cavern. Follow the sound of water and take a look up the underground waterfall.

Both my son and myself are experienced cavers so feel free to ask us questions about the subject.

The best caving shop, for specialised caving gear; and helmet and lamp hire is Inglesport, located in the main street of Ingleton. It also has a fine café upstairs.

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