Caves aren't scary: a kids' guide to Stump Cross Caverns

Simon Edward • August 8, 2024

We're on a mission to prove that caves aren't scary – especially at Stump Cross Caverns. Learn why.

Exploring caves deep underground is an epic thing to do – but the thought of it can be a little scary for some kids (and adults!)

But we're here to change that here at Stump Cross Caverns. Our caves are cool, safe and full of fun surprises. Plus, you get to meet and hang out with our very own Cavewoman, who's on a mission to show everyone that caves are nothing to be scared of.

Ready to learn why caves are cool, not scary? Let's go!

What are caves? And why do they sometimes scare us?

Caves – also known as caverns – are spaces that form naturally underground, usually with the help of water. Some even have lakes or rivers inside.

They're dark places. This may make some people a little nervous. Do you know why that is?

This fear of the dark comes from our ancestors. Humans weren't always on top of the food chain – we had natural predators back in the day. And predators like to stalk their prey at night, which is why some of us are still scared of the dark.

This is not something you should worry about in Stump Cross Caverns. We make sure the caves are lit well to keep you safe.

This means you can relax and take in the amazing scenery – like big rock formations and crystals that pop up from the ground and hang down from ceilings. The ones that pop up are called "stalagmites", while the ones that hang are called "stalactites".

If you're still scared of caves, you might want to cut back on those spooky TV shows and movies. When you see a cave on screen, it's usually linked to a monster or some other creepy situation – but we've got to forget about all of that!

Caves can sometimes be home to creatures like bats, insects, fish and amphibians. However, these cute critters are unlikely to do you any harm and will want to stay out of your way. Remember, we're much bigger and scarier to them than they are to us. (There are no monsters here, either. Phew!)

Another common worry is getting left behind in caves and not knowing how to get back out. You never need to worry about that at Stump Cross Caverns, as it's easy to navigate. Plus, Cavewoman and her team are here to guide you and show you that caves are fascinating and make a pretty chill place to hang out.

Who is Cavewoman?

Cavewoman is our friendly Stone Age guide who's ready to show you all the mystery and magic of our ancient caves. She knows these caves inside out and is proud to show them off to visitors like you. This means you'll always know you're in safe hands.

But where did she come from? And how did she find the caves?

Cavewoman discovered Stump Cross Caverns on a warm day back in 7832 BC. It was almost always warm back then, you see, with the average temperature being a little hotter than it is today. She was looking for somewhere safe to sleep, where she would be protected from dangerous animals like bears and wolves. (Yes – these creatures were roaming around British forests back then!)

Behind a withered old bush, she found a small rocky opening. Squeezing through, she found an underground network of caverns, the likes of which she'd never seen before. It was all twisting passageways and beautiful cave formations.

She was so excited to show her friends what she had discovered – but they got scared when they ventured into the darkness inside the caverns and ran away. This upset Cavewoman, but she knew the truth: "The cavern wasn't scary. It was a place of wonder and excitement – all you needed was a little light to guide you on your way."

Cavewoman decided that, from then on, she would be the light inside the cavern that guides adventurous kids like you through the caves. She's made it her mission to prove there's nothing to fear.

After you tour the cave, why not join her to dig for real fossils and gems? While you're looking for something shiny, she'll show you her favourites from her personal collection and share the centuries-old history of Stump Cross Caverns.

What you'll see at Stump Cross

Now you know that caves are nothing to be afraid of, you can take the next step and explore our caverns with your family.

Follow the twisting and turning natural underground tunnels to explore secret nooks, check out the cool ancient rock formations and learn about the history of this 300-million-year-old underground wonder.

You'll see the Butcher's Shop: cave formations that come down from the ceiling and look like meat hanging up in a butcher's window. Another formation you can't miss is The Twins: two huge rock pillars that stretch from ceiling to floor and that have met in the middle over the years. You can even visit The Wolverine Cave, where a seriously old wolverine skull was found in 1922. And there are lots more cool cave formations where those came from.

At 3 PM, the lights go out and you can try our UV Experience, where the rocks appear to glow in the dark. We promise you'll see caves in a whole new light.

Make sure you also have a go at our gem panning sluice. Here, you can uncover hidden gems like emeralds, amethyst, moonstone and rose quartz by sifting and shaking a tray.

Are you ready to come on an adventure to our Yorkshire Dales caves? Cavewoman can't wait to see you! Book your tickets today to see for yourself why caves are cool and interesting – and definitely not scary.

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