A Trip to Speedwell Cavern
A trip to Speedwell Cavern in Castleton offers one of the most unique Peak District experiences. Descend 105 steps to an underground river and travel by boat through tunnels blasted over 200 years ago by lead miners. Knowledgeable guides bring the history to life as you glide through the old workings into a network of beautiful natural caverns, culminating in the magnificent cathedral like chamber containing the famous Bottomless Pit. After your underground adventure, browse the souvenir shop for gifts including jewellery made from Blue John stone, a mineral unique to the Peak District. Combine your visit with a walk to Mam Tor for superb views across the Hope Valley and Edale Valley, or explore the other Castleton show caverns including Blue John Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Peak Cavern. Speedwell Cavern is located at the foot of Winnats Pass on the A6187, just outside the village of Castleton.
A trip to Speedwell Cavern in the pretty village of Castleton is a truly unique Peak District cavern experience, where visitors can travel by boat along an underground river deep under the hills. Once a lead mine, the watery tunnels of Speedwell Cavern were originally blasted over 200 years ago by miners searching for lead reserves with primitive tools. Those same tunnels now provide a fantastic glimpse of the beauty underneath the Peak District for visitors to this area, allowing explorers to discover a fascinating subterranean world.
Visitors descend 105 steps from the almost-hidden cave entrance at the foot of Winnats Pass to the landing stage of the underground river, from where a boat takes them quietly through the workings of the old lead mine. Knowledgeable guides recount the story of the mine and the miners who worked here every day. The tunnels then open out into a network of beautiful natural caverns and chambers, the highlight of which is the magnificent cathedral-like cavern containing the so-called ‘Bottomless Pit’ – a huge subterranean lake.
After your trip you’ll find a souvenir shop for gifts and mementos of your trip, including jewellery made from the exclusive Blue John stone – the superb fluorspar mineral unique to the nearby Peak District Caverns.
Combine your trip with a walk in the stunning surrounding countryside and on to Mam Tor, for superb views across the Hope Valley and Edale Valley. Alternatively, visit one of the other beautiful show caverns in Castleton – Blue John Cavern or Treak Cliff Cavern to see the beautiful Blue John Stone in its natural setting, or Peak Cavern to see the home of the last cave-dwellers in the UK.
How Do I Get to Speedwell Cavern?
Speedwell Cavern is located at the foot of Winnats Pass on the A6187, just outside the village of Castleton. It is well signposted from the village. Car parking is available. The postcode for Speedwell Cavern is S33 8WA.
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If the unique boat trip through Speedwell Cavern amazed you, Castleton has three more incredible caverns and attractions to explore. The village of Castleton itself is a delight with its narrow lanes, independent shops and cosy pubs. Treak Cliff Cavern is home to Britain’s rarest mineral, Blue John stone, while Blue John Cavern has been mined for centuries and is home to 8 of the 14 known varieties. Peak Cavern boasts the largest cave entrance in Britain, and the romantic ruins of Peveril Castle stand high above the village. For more underground adventures, visit our Castleton Caverns Guide.
