Speedwell Cavern takes you on an incredible underground journey by boat.

Enter the inner world of the underground cave system in the heart of the Peak District National Park and absorb the atmosphere as a watery silence echoes all around you.

Set at the foot of the spectacular Winnats Pass, high above the village of Castleton, Speedwell Cavern takes you on an incredible underground boat journey.

Descend the 105 steps from the almost hidden cavern entrance to the landing stage of an underground canal where you step on to your tour guide’s boat.

From here you glide through the workings of a 200 year old lead mine. Picture in your mind what it must have been like to carve out these tunnels using only the most primitive tools as your guide recounts the story of the mine which opens into a network of natural caverns and underground rivers. At Halfway House the canal tunnel splits into two to allow oncoming boats to pass as you wend your way 200 meters below the surface of the hill before entering a magnificent cathedral-like cavern containing the awesome “Bottomless Pit” – a huge subterranean lake.

Confectionary kiosk, ice-creams and hot and cold drinks

Full range of toys, minerals, gifts and Blue John Stone jewellery

Basic toilet facilities

no baby food or milk warming

Speedwell Cavern is situated at the foot of the Winnats Pass, just off the A6187, ½ mile west of the village of Castleton. There is a regular bus service to Castleton from Sheffield and Chesterfield. The nearest train stations are Hope and Edale.

Speedwell Cavern gets very busy at peak times (weekends and school holidays) with queues building to up to 2 hours! Come early in the day (before 10.30am) to avoid a long wait for admission.

We visited Speedwell Cavern on a Sunday. We had to queue for 1 hour 20 mins and top be honest the admission charge of £7.25 adults and £5.25 children over 5 under 5’s free was quite expensive for the tour. First down 105 steps, steep and slippery and little headroom then boat trip through a very small tunnel through the old lead mine to the cavern, which is a little disappointing. Can only give it 5/10.

Can recommend lunch at the Olde Nags Head in the village, the all u can eat carvery in the village is the best we have ever had available Sat 6 till 9 Sun 12 – 8

- David Johnson (Oldham) / August 07

http://www.speedwellcavern.co.uk/