Stump Cross Caverns, Show cave in Yorkshire Dales National Park, England.
Stump Cross Caverns is a limestone cave system within Yorkshire Dales National Park featuring interconnected chambers of varying sizes. The site includes narrow passageways alongside spacious lit areas and natural mineral formations that have developed within the rock over time.
The caverns were discovered in 1858 when lead miners encountered the underground spaces while working in the area. Since then the caves have been developed for public access and exploration.
The caverns contain traces of the Ice Age, including bones from animals that no longer exist, displayed within the underground chambers for visitors to see. These discoveries reveal how different the landscape and wildlife were in ancient times.
The underground temperature stays cool throughout the year, so visitors should bring warm clothing and sturdy footwear. The surfaces can be slippery, making careful footing and appropriate shoes essential.
A massive stone column stands out as the most prominent formation, created over thousands of years by mineral-rich water dripping from above. Visitors often miss this remarkable natural structure located in one of the illuminated sections of the caves.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
