Wookey Hole Caves

Wookey Hole Caves is a limestone cave system in Somerset, England. The River Axe runs through the underground chambers, linking the rooms through narrow passages and wide halls.

People used these caves tens of thousands of years ago, as tools from the Old Stone Age show. Finds from later periods confirm repeated settlement by different communities.

The name derives from an Old English word meaning trap or snare, pointing to the winding passages inside. Visitors can see a human-shaped rock formation that plays a central role in regional legends.

The temperature inside the chambers stays around 11 degrees Celsius (52 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the year. Visitors should wear warm clothing and shoes with good grip, as the floor can be wet.

Divers first explored the underground river passages here in the 1930s, opening a new era of cave exploration in Britain. These expeditions paved the way for later discoveries in other parts of the country.