Should I join a caving club?

Simon Edward • April 2, 2024

Got a passion for nature and a taste for adventure? A caving club might be for you. Learn more in our guide.

Caving, or potholing, is a sport for those with a keen sense of adventure. It's about uncovering landscapes formed over millennia that lie tucked away, deep underground.

But how does an avid amateur caver go about getting access to these hidden oases? Well, luckily the UK is home to many like-minded potholing enthusiasts – and organised cave explorations happen more often than you may think.

With a sporting pedigree dating back to the latter part of the 17th century, caving has steadily grown in popularity across the UK. Today, Britain boasts more than 4,000 regular cavers – and many, many more take guided tours led by experienced enthusiasts.

Why join a club, we hear you ask? In case you're new to caving and are wondering whether or not to take the plunge, here are just a few reasons why it might be a good idea.

Safety and support

Not much changes underground. Many of Britain's caves have looked pretty much the same for thousands and thousands of years.

But the same can't be said for caving. Today, the sport is more organised – and safer – than it's ever been before.

There's always an element of danger when exploring a wild cave – plunging into the underground depths isn't without risk. But luckily for today's explorers, potholing enthusiasts hold safety at the helm.

Knowing your surroundings

Often, caving club HQs are located close to well-known caves. This means membership can help you get the lay of the local landscape and allow a safe introduction to the wonders that await you in your county.

Trips and excursions

Many caving clubs take regular trips around the UK to some of the big caving hotspots. These include the Yorkshire Dales, South Wales, the Peak District and the Inner Hebrides. Some clubs also offer annual excursions outside of the UK.

Experience and support

Joining a caving club can offer so much more than a calendar and a meeting point. You'll be stunned by the wealth of knowledge club members hold – and there really aren't many other ways to access this knowledge.

Picture of a group of people in outdoor gear chatting around a fire.

Whether it's a small local club of 50 people or one of the big four listed below, you'll be exposed to expertise that's founded on generations of passion and honed by countless cave expeditions.

Social and extra-curricular activities

Of course, we shouldn't forget one of the biggest benefits of all: socialising!

Caving is very much a team sport and, as a club member, you could find yourself with a very busy schedule. Many clubs meet weekly – and it's not uncommon for them to also take part in offshoot activities above ground.

A word of warning

Potholing may be safer than ever before – but it's still important to remember that it can involve risky situations.

Don't try caving unless you feel physically fit and mentally equipped for the journey below. Be careful and keep your wits about you – Mother Nature can be unpredictable.

Be conscientious too. We must preserve our natural treasures, so take care not to bump into walls and don't take any souvenirs.

Most importantly, NEVER go caving alone. Even experienced caves always explore in groups – that's why caving clubs are so popular, after all.

Of course, if you join a club they'll be sure to show you the ropes and explain how to have a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Where can I find a caving club?

The UK has a plethora of Caving clubs, some dating back to the start of the last century.

The British Caving Association is the national body for all things for all things caving. It provides a fairly exhaustive list of caving clubs in the UK along with useful information about safety, equipment and cave conservation.

Some of the UK's most notable caving clubs

Based near Lancaster, the Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club was formed in 1946 – right after the discovery of the Lancaster Hole cave system.

The club has more than 200 members and includes international explorers in their ranks. It has a team hut with accommodation for up to 20 and organises regular caving events and meets.

Wessex Cave Club dates back to 1934 and, with more than 300 members, is now one of the UK's largest clubs. Its club hut is located near the mouth of Swildon's Hole in the Mendip Hills. This cave system is a giant at more than nine kilometres long.

Picture of Swildon's Hole in the Mendip Hills.

White Rose Pothole Club is based in the Yorkshire Dales and dates back to 1954. Organised meets happen twice per month and, with a big focus on cave-system surveys, it has a detailed library of the local underground world.

Finally, we don't play favourites at Stump Cross. But we do have neighbours – and Craven Pothole Club has been a regular fixture at Stump Cross for many years.

Founded in 1929 by Mr Albert Mitchell, the club is based in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales at Horton-in-Ribblesdale. It offers a long list of activities, from caving and potholing through to climbing and hikes.

The club arranges meets every two weeks, typically with a few individually organised activities on top of this.

Craven loves showing amateurs the ropes – and up to a third of its meets are targeted at novice adventurers.

Atop a long list of accolades, the club was a founding member of the Cave Rescue Organisation: a charity run by volunteers that's set on saving lives in emergency situations across the Yorkshire Dales. Heroic stuff.

Want to get a taste of caving in Yorkshire? Stump Cross Caverns is a much-loved show cave and a popular destination for a family day out in the Dales. You don't need any special equipment – just a warm jacket and an appetite for adventure. Learn all the facts you need to know before you visit – or dive right in and book your tickets online.