Join us on a journey of discovery
Step back in time and explore our magnificent Yorkshire Dales caves.
The Yorkshire Dales conceal an incredible secret. Deep underground, below the hills and valleys, there lies a vast network of caves to explore. A natural wonder, hidden from human eyes for hundreds of thousands of years.
Now's your chance to step back in time. Book your tickets to Stump Cross Caverns and you'll unlock a trove of prehistoric marvels – twisting caverns, unspoilt rock formations and mysterious nooks and crannies. All frozen in time – and all with stories to tell.
Ready for adventure? Let's see what's in store…
What to expect
An hour of discovery
Our caves take about 50 minutes to explore fully.
Incredible lighting
After 3PM, we switch off the lights for our magical UV experience.
Safety
first
All safety gear is provided, including hard hats and torches.
The start of an epic adventure
The door shuts behind you and you're instantly transported to a new world. The air seems a little cooler. Your voice echoes against the damp limestone walls. You feel a tingle of excitement – adventure awaits.
The Butcher's Shop
Duck under a rocky nook and prepare to be amazed. You've reached The Butcher's Shop – an awe-inspiring assortment of colourful stalactites. Huge and heavy, they hang imposingly from the roof as if frozen in time.
Do they remind you of anything? In the early days of Stump Cross, cavers thought they looked like massive slabs of meat hanging in a butcher's window. They even have a natural reddish tinge, thanks to the veins of iron ore in the rock. These minerals were deposited over thousands of years by rainwater that trickled in from above.
The Twins
As you blink your way through twisting tunnels, the rock formations start to put on a show. Stop to admire the sheer variety of shapes and textures, then forge ahead to meet The Twins.
You'll know them when you see them: two gargantuan pillars of rock that stretch from floor to ceiling – as if they were parts of an ancient structure lost to time.
The Twins started life as stalagmites and stalactites, but grew and grew until they met in the middle. How long do you think that took?
The Wolverine Cave
A short distance on, you come to a small set of steps. Climb them to enter The Wolverine Cave, where an ancient wolverine skull was discovered back in 1922.
This cavern is a feast for the eyes. To the left, shimmering limestone pillars trickle with water. To the right, a jumble of boulders conceals a hidden route to the darkest reaches of the cave. And overhead, a giant rift teems with stalactites, which cling to the roof like barnacles on a sunken ship.
You'll be exploring more of the Wolverine Cave as you head on. Ready? Let's go.
The Curtain
You've got a little way to go until you reach The Curtain, but there's plenty to see en route. Keep an eye out for the translucent "straw" stalactites, which look almost like tiny icicles – as well as the rimstone pools, fashioned into fractal-like patterns by years of rainwater erosion.
Then you'll see it – one of the most impressive sights in the whole cave. The Curtain is a thin sheet of rock, shot through with dazzling red streaks like a dragon's wing. (Look carefully and you might even spot a snoozing dragon. Shh…)
The Chamber of Pillars
The next cavern to explore is The Chamber of Pillars, so-called because of its many impressive calcite columns. On the way, look out for The Jewel Box – a hidden nook containing a sparkling, crystal-coated pool – and The Hawk, a bird-like stump of rock, worn into shape by thousands of curious hands.
The Chamber of Pillars has many of its own treasures to discover. Perhaps the most dazzling is The Cradle – a huge boulder dripping with pure white calcite deposits, which seem suspended in mid-flow like a frozen waterfall.
The Cathedral
You're deep into the caves now – and the rock formations are coming thick and fast. Don't miss The Sandcastles – an array of shapely limestone mounds surrounded by small pools – and a splendid, bulbous stalagmite that's known as The Policeman's Truncheon.
Finally, you reach a small set of steps and ascend into The Cathedral. In this vast natural cavern, you'll see two of Stump Cross Caverns' most impressive features.
On the left is The Organ, a wall of flowstone shaped like the towering pipes of a church organ. And on the right, a true showstopper – The Wedding Cake. Balanced precariously on a mound of boulders, this gigantic calcite column looks as pure and appealing as fresh, white icing.
Reindeer Cavern
Finally, you snake back through the tunnels to see Reindeer Cavern, the latest addition to our show caves. It was opened to the public in 2000, after years of hard work clearing out the huge boulders that blocked its entrance.
Step up to its viewing platform and you'll agree – it was well worth the effort.
You'll need a few minutes to take it all in. The tall, graceful column and beautiful calcite curtain. The teensy straw stalactites that seem to trickle from the ceiling. And – wait a moment – are those reindeer bones on the floor?
And that's not all…
There's more than caves to visit at Stump Cross Caverns.
Explored every hidden corner of our caves? There's still plenty to do and see.
Why not search for treasures in our gift shop? Or pan for real crystals in our gem sluice? Or stop for a spot of tea and cake in our Time Cafe?
Whether you're looking for a fun family day out or you just love to learn, you can expect a whole day of adventure at Stump Cross.
Ready to explore for real?
Nothing compares to the real thing. Book your tickets today and discover the magic of our Yorkshire Dales caves for yourself.
Stump Cross Caverns
Greenhow Hill
Pateley Bridge
Yorkshire
HG3 5JL
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