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Treak Cliff Cavern
Type:Cave
Castleton
Hope Valley
Derbyshire
S33 8WP
About
Take the 45 minute guided tour of the Cavern to see an Underground Wonderland of rocks, minerals and fossils. Your tour takes in 7 chambers including The Witch's Cave, Aladdin's Cave, Fairyland and the Dream Cave. You will be able to see and touch the largest Blue John Stone deposits still in situ. the Blue John Pillar, the Pocket and the Blue John Arch.
Deeper down are the finest stalactites and stalagmites in the Peak District, and your guide will tell you how they formed, along with some geological history of the Cavern. Discover where our drinking water supply comes from, before returning to the outside to take in the lovely view of Castleton and the Hope Valley from the cavern Exit area. Learn more from the information panels about the mining history of this hillside.
Gently stroll down hill back to the buildings at the Entrance area where you can wander in the Visitor Centre, and discover more about Blue John Stone. In the Museum compare the different Vein patterns and colours of the ornamental items, and the Blue John Stone on display. This may help you decide on the piece of stone you want to polish! In the shop area staff will be on hand to help you choose from a wide selection of prepared pieces. Next you take your stone into the work shop and the guides and crafts people will show you how to rub it with abrasive paper until it is ready to polish to a lovely shine.! Finally you may like to browse in the shop for Blue John jewellery, or rocks and minerals from all over the world!
Our cafe serves Light Lunches, Cream teas, including our Blue John Cake, plus several varieties of tea, Artisan Loose Leaf Blue John tea, and locally roasted Winnats Pass Brew Coffee. Hot drinks are made from our own water collected in the Cavern and pumped directly to the Cafe! There is also local Hope Valley Ice cream (subject to availability) in lots of flavours, each named after a cow on the farm that has been run by the same family for 300 years! That's also how long Blue John Stone has been mined for on Treak Cliff !
