Peak Cavern, Show cave in Castleton, England
Peak Cavern is a show cave in Castleton with the widest natural cave entrance in Britain, leading into an extensive limestone system. Underground streams flow through the chambers and have carved winding passages and rock formations over thousands of years.
Families lived at the cave entrance from the 1600s and used the sheltered space for their rope-making trades. Production only ended in the early 1900s when industrial methods replaced the traditional craft.
The entrance housed rope-making workshops for centuries, where craftsmen produced long cords for mines and farms. The moist air inside kept the fibers supple and made working with the hemp material easier.
Visits take place year-round with expert guidance leading through lit sections of the system. The floor can be wet, so non-slip footwear and warm clothing are advisable since the temperature inside remains cool.
A natural chamber inside occasionally serves as a concert room where musicians use the particular sound qualities of the rock walls. The acoustics arise from the shape of the space and the porous surface of the limestone, which reflects sound in an unusual way.
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