The surprising history of show caves

Simon Edward • November 1, 2024

When did people first decide to open caves and cave systems to the public? Join us for a whistle-stop tour.

At Stump Cross Caverns, we're proud to be open to the public all year round. Instead of sitting on our geological treasures like a dragon, we keep our doors open and welcome everybody.

We won't mince our words: we think Stump Cross is a pretty special place. The caves are filled with gorgeous rock formations that can be enjoyed by everyone from young kids to seasoned speleologists (that's "cave scientist" to you and me).

But we're not going to let pride get the better of us. We love that we're just one of a global network of show caves – each committed to sharing the beauties of ancient nature with visitors.

In the UK, there are 22 show caves – from Blue John Cavern in Derbyshire to Wookey Hole in Somerset. In Yorkshire alone, we're neighbours with White Scar and Ingleborough Cave.

Globally, there are… a lot. Curious readers can check out the directory of show caves to find out more.

But when did people first realise that caves could be made accessible to the public?

Before we answer that question, let's get our definitions in order. When does a cave become a show cave?

What is a show cave?

A show cave, Wikipedia tells us, is "a cave that has been made accessible to the public for guided visits". They're sometimes called "tourist caves", "public caves" or "commercial caves".

In some countries, a show cave is any cave that's open to the public. Typically, however, a show cave will have features and amenities like the ones we have here at Stump Cross: guided tours, regular opening hours, a cafe, lighting and clear routes for visitors.

Famous examples include Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, USA, the ice caves near Werfen in Austria and the Blue Grotto Cave on the island of Capri. Closer to home, there are Wookey Hole Caverns in Somerset, a range of show caves in Hope Valley, Derbyshire, and three show caves in the Yorkshire Dales National Park (including yours truly!)

When were show caves first opened to the public?

We don't know for sure when the first show cave was opened. It could be that prehistoric Lord Sugars were showing their friends and families around caves in exchange for some rawhide or a handful of berries.

It seems probable, however, that the oldest show cave is the Reed Flute Cave in China. This contains inscriptions from the eighth century AD. Wow!

There are records of cave tours in Slovenia in 1213 and Slovakia in 1452. But the first show cave as we recognise it today was probably Baumannshöhle in Germany.

In 1649, Valentin Wagner started giving tours of the caves. Participants included one Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The great German writer was so esteemed that one of the chambers at Baumannshöhle is now named "Goethesaal" in his honour.

There was a problem with these early show caves, however: darkness. Most of the time, you could only show people around by candlelight.

This probably had a certain beauty to it – but it didn't show off the cave formations and paintings in all their glory. There were also safety concerns about carrying candles down caves.

This all changed with the advent of electric lighting in the late 19th century. Cave owners quickly saw the commercial advantages of a well-lit cave.

But nothing in this world is simple, and electric lighting created its own problems in the form of "lampenflora".

Lampenflora are algae that grow in caves under electric light. As well as altering the appearance of the caves, they can cause damage to the limestone and any wall paintings. They can even change a cave's ecosystem for the worse.

This is why many attractions have switched to LED lights. These are cooler than traditional electric lighting and don't let lampenflora grow. At Stump Cross, we're raising funds to get our own LED lights installed for this very reason.

How Stump Cross became a show cave

The caves you visit at Stump Cross today probably began to form around half a million years ago. But our history as a show cave began in 1860. Queen Victoria was on the throne and electric lighting was still in its infancy.

One day, two lead miners named William and Mark Newbould were scouring the Dales for a seam. A new seam would give them fresh lead deposits that could be sold on.

They thought they found one but when their spades went through the ground, they didn't hit lead. Instead, they opened onto a pristine network of natural caves.

These two men had moved from Derbyshire, where show caves were doing a decent business. The Newbould brothers saw pound signs. Could Stump Cross turn a profit, too?

They took the initiative to approach landowner Thomas Yorke. Together, they negotiated a lease. (It's amazing to think that the caves today are only commercially viable thanks to a happy accident one freezing morning in 1860.)

Around 60 years later, Cambridge medical student Christopher Long claimed to have discovered an underground lake within the cave network. When the owner refused to make a deal with him, Long blocked the entrance to the lake.

Long's lake is yet to be found – and some question whether it even existed in the first place. But lake or no lake, our team is always looking to expand our show cave and let visitors like you access even more natural treasures.

Most recently, we've launched a project to open C Chamber: a pristine underground grotto filled with sparkling crystal "pompons". Watch this space!

Final thoughts

Show caves are wonderful things. When you descend the steps to a show cave, you're walking into the distant past. Those stalactites and stalagmites took thousands of years to form – and the cave itself will be even older.

It's not for nothing that show caves are loved by everyone from kids to adults, from casual observers to cave scientists and explorers.

At Stump Cross Caverns, we've put a lot of work into making the caves an enchanting place for visitors of all ages. But the fun isn't just underground. We also host events, including stargazing sessions, interactive fossil digs and private cinema screenings.

So, if you're looking for an unforgettable underground cave tour, don't delay. Book tickets for Stump Cross Caverns today.

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