Gaping Gill Winch Day

Families love flocking to Gaping Gill! At 31 metres high and 25 metres wide, Gaping Gill is one of the most complex cave systems in the UK. If you’re a geology nut, you may already know that Gaping Gill is also one of the most famous caves in the Dales and is home to one of the largest underground chambers in Britain! Cor blimey…

The first recorded attempt to get down this shaft was in 1842 by John Birkbeck. He managed to descend 55 metres with only a candle and some rope. If you journey down the cave you will get to see his name marked onto a ledge – this is the point he reached! It would take another 50 years until somebody reached the cave floor.

In 1983, it was discovered that Gaping Gill was connected to Ingleborough Cave. There are a whopping 12 miles worth of tunnels linking the two caves together – how crazy is that?! People can typically access the cave from Clapham by walking past Ingleborough Cave, and then up onto the slopes of Ingleborough.

Families and geology nuts can get the chance to go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure into the cave on a Gaping Gill Winch Day. This event is held over two weeks in the whole year. For just £20 you can explore the extensive system of caves 100 metres under the moorland with the Bradford Pothole Club (for a week in May) and Craven Pothole Club (for a week in August).

Both caving clubs have taken many people on a descent into Gaping Gill and it is very safe. The winch has a fixed capacity of approx. twenty descents/ascents per hour. The winch will take you from the cave entrance through the water spray of the waterfall and all the way down to the chamber floor…

Would you brave it?

Our planet is a fascinating place overflowing with many hidden gems and natural phenomena but we may often forget that many of those fascinating places can be found here in the UK! There are plenty of ancient caves to explore but why waste time on small caves when you can visit one of the biggest caves in the country?!

If you are an adventurous family on the hunt for your next quest, then Gaping Gill has everything you could wish for. Think unbroken waterfalls, large cave chambers, and huge caverns. There is 350 million years worth of history lurking beneath the surface that only brave explorers will get to experience…

You’ll have one of the most memorable experiences here in your lifetime and what makes this experience sweeter is that you can only go caving here twice a year!

This isn’t an adults-only adventure, youngsters aged 7+ can take the 322ft plunge down the rat hole…

Gaping Gill excursions cannot be booked in advance, you must book on arrival. Book at the tent next to the winch. You will be issued a numbered wristband and advised of your approximate descent time.

Craven Pothole Club: 11th August – 18th August 2023

Weather permitting, the winch will operate for descents by members of the public from 9.00am each weekday (8.00am at weekends).

£20pp

Bradford Pothole Club: 25th May – 31st May 2024

Open from 8am but remember that there is a limit to the number of people who can go on the winch in one day. Closing is when the book is full or  at 5pm, with an earlier close on Friday at midday.

£15pp

Only members of the Pothole Clubs are allowed to camp here.

The Yorkshire Dales is full of cosy bed & breakfasts within a 5-mile radius of the Gaping Gill! Here are a few you should check out:

• Moor View Bed and Breakfast
• Turnerford Fold
• The Traddock
• The Marton Arms Inn
• Wood View Bed & Breakfast
• Dale House Farm

The nearest car park is the National Park car park at the centre of the village.

From the car park, take the lane following the stream up through the village to the start of the Nature Trail (Ingleborough Estate makes a small admission charge) through the Estate.

Wear everything you would for a hike. Get yourself some thick and sturdy boots or trainers. Load up on waterproof clothing. Keep warm with fleece and protect yourself with a hard hat (hats will be given to you by the potholing team).

The nearest cafe is Old Saw Mill Cafe which is located at the entrance of the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail. The cafe is open daily from 09:30am – 4:30pm. You can also purchase trail activity sheets from here, they cost £1.50.