Banwell Caves, Geological cave system in Banwell, England
Banwell Caves is a cave system in the village of Banwell, Somerset, made up of several underground sections with natural rock formations and mineral deposits. The most visited section, known as the Bone Cave, is cut into a hillside at the edge of the village.
The caves were found in 1757 by workers digging into a hillside near Banwell, but they gained wider attention only after local researchers explored them more thoroughly in 1824. It was during this period that the animal bones were recovered and recorded, giving the main section its name.
The Bone Cave gets its name from the animal bones found inside during the 1800s, which drew researchers from across England to this corner of Somerset. On a guided tour today, visitors can still see the marks left by those early explorations.
Only the Bone Cave section is open to the public, and visits are done on guided tours rather than independently. The ground inside is uneven and damp, so sturdy footwear and a warm layer are a good idea before heading in.
Greater horseshoe bats use the Bone Cave as a winter roost, which is one reason the site holds protected status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Visitors on winter tours sometimes spot them hanging from the cave ceiling overhead.
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