Thrupe Lane Swallet, Cave and Site of Special Scientific Interest in Croscombe, England
Thrupe Lane Swallet is a limestone cave system near Croscombe featuring a network of passages and vertical shafts. The network includes notably deep sections that require specialized knowledge to navigate safely.
The cave system was first fully explored in 1974 by three caving groups after extensive excavation and modifications to the entrance shaft. This discovery marked an important moment in British cave exploration.
The name comes from the nearby hamlet Thrupe, with its roots in Anglo-Saxon language meaning a dairy farm.
Access requires specialized caving equipment and proper training due to multiple vertical shafts and significant depths throughout the system. Visitors should only explore the interior with experienced guides or dedicated caving groups.
The cave system channels water underground to St Andrew's Well located within the Bishop's Palace grounds in Wells. This hidden hydrological connection links the cave network to one of the region's most significant historical sites.
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