Death's Head Hole

Death's Head Hole is a limestone cave at Leck Fell, with an entrance shaft that drops steeply about 64 meters into a boulder slope. The main chamber features a waterfall in its eastern section and connects to other passages underground.

The first documented descent took place in 1889 when the Yorkshire Ramblers Club reached the main chamber and recorded the eastern water stream. This early exploration laid the foundation for understanding the cave's underground passages.

The cave forms part of the Three Counties System, an 87-kilometer network spanning the borders of Cumbria, Lancashire, and North Yorkshire.

A visit requires advance online booking, and you need to be physically prepared for descending into confined, wet conditions underground. Wear sturdy footwear and warm clothing since the cave remains cool and damp throughout the year.

The water flowing through the cave originated from another cave system and has been carving this path for hundreds of thousands of years. This ancient water route follows a geological fault and links different cave sections in surprising ways.

GPS coordinates: 54.20706,-2.51061

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:53