Location: Greenhow Hill Rd (B6265) between Wharfedale and Nidderdale, North Yorkshire Map
Tel. 01756 752780
Open: Mar- Nov: daily
Dec- Feb: Sat, Sun & public holidays
Official site
Stump Cross Caverns, located in the Yorkshire Dales near Greenhow Hill, North Yorkshire, England, is a remarkable limestone cave system renowned for its geological wonders, prehistoric significance, and family-friendly appeal. Nestled between the towns of Pateley Bridge and Grassington along the B6265, the caverns lie on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, offering a subterranean adventure steeped in history and natural beauty. As one of Yorkshire’s premier show caves, alongside Ingleborough and White Scar, Stump Cross provides a glimpse into a world formed millions of years ago, adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and fossils of Ice Age creatures.
Stump Cross Caverns are a classic limestone cave system, formed over
300 million years during the Carboniferous period when the Yorkshire
Dales lay beneath a shallow tropical sea. The limestone bedrock,
composed of compressed shells and marine debris, was later sculpted by
weakly acidic rainwater—carbonic acid formed from atmospheric carbon
dioxide dissolving in precipitation. This erosion carved out a network
of passages and chambers, some dating back a million years, with
stalagmites as old as 230,000 years, as determined by Newcastle
University scientists.
The caverns sit beneath Greenhow Hill,
1,275 feet (389 meters) above sea level, in a region stretching from
Wharfedale to the Craven Fault. The system spans over 4 miles (6
kilometers), though only about 1 mile is open to the public as a show
cave. Key formations include the “Wedding Cake,” a glistening calcite
column, and the “Sleeping Cat,” a stalactite resembling a snoozing
feline. The caves’ narrow, twisting passages reveal shimmering calcite
veins and flowstone curtains, illuminated to highlight their textures.
The constant temperature of 7°C (44.5°F) and high humidity preserve
these delicate structures, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
Geologically, the caverns are dynamic—water still drips, slowly
building new formations, while the surrounding limestone holds clues to
ancient climates. The area’s proximity to lead seams, mined since Roman
times, led to the caverns’ discovery, though no lead was found here.
The Reindeer Cave, opened in 2000, showcases unique features like
fossilized animal remains, adding to the site’s scientific allure.
Stump Cross Caverns weave together tales of exploration, science, and tourism, spanning prehistoric times to the modern day.
The caverns were a refuge for Ice Age animals, with fossils of
reindeer, bison, wolves, and wolverines dating back over 90,000 years,
found in chambers like the Reindeer Cave. A notable discovery in the
1860s included four near-complete reindeer skeletons and a possible
unborn calf, later restored privately. Wolverine bones, rare in
Britain, are displayed in the visitor center, evoking a time when the
Dales were a frozen tundra roamed by megafauna.
Human history
begins later. The caverns’ name derives from “Stump Cross,” an ancient
marker for Knaresborough Forest’s boundary, hinting at medieval land
divisions. Miners seeking lead stumbled upon the caves around 1860,
with William and Mark Newbould, local brothers, credited for the
initial find. Unlike many miners who saw no value in caves, the
Newboulds recognized their potential, opening them to visitors for a
shilling—a steep fee for 1860.
In 1922, Christopher Long’s exploration uncovered more fossils,
while the 1920s saw systematic development. In 1926, Septimus Wray, a
showman from Heysham Head Pleasure Gardens, bought the caves for £400,
installing his son-in-law, Harry Deane Hornby, to manage them. Wray’s
grandson, George Gill, later took over, adding electric lighting and
promoting the caves as a tourist draw. By the 1930s, Stump Cross was a
curiosity for Yorkshire travelers, its rugged paths navigated by
lantern.
The caves gained scientific fame in 1963 when Geoffrey
Workman spent 105 days underground, setting a world record for
isolation and studying its effects on the body—a stunt that drew global
attention. World War II had little direct impact, though the
surrounding moors were used for military training.
Postwar, the caves evolved into a family attraction. The Gill family
ran them until 2003, when the Bowerman family, linked to Richmond
Brewery, took over, introducing a Stump Cross Ale in 2008. The Reindeer
Cave’s opening in 2000, 45 years after its discovery, expanded the show
cave, while the site earned Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
status for its geology and fossils.
The 2001 foot-and-mouth
crisis disrupted access due to nearby farm cleanups, but the caves
rebounded. Crowdfunding in the 2010s, with the Bowermans sacrificing
personal assets like a camper van, ensured survival amid rising costs.
Today, the caverns balance education and entertainment, with digital
tours and fossil quizzes enhancing their appeal.
As an SSSI, Stump Cross Caverns support a delicate ecosystem. The
caves’ stable climate nurtures fungi and bacteria, while bats—likely
pipistrelles—roost in unlit passages, though public areas see fewer due
to disturbance. Fossilized remains dominate the ecological narrative,
with reindeer and wolverine bones offering snapshots of a glacial past.
Above ground, the surrounding moorland hosts curlews, lapwings, and
heather, typical of the Dales’ upland ecology.
Conservation is
paramount. Lighting is designed to minimize algae growth on formations,
and visitor paths protect fragile calcite. The Bowermans’ restoration
efforts, like clearing debris from new passages, ensure the caves
remain a living geological record.
Stump Cross Caverns offer a 40–50-minute self-guided tour through
lit passages, ideal for families and adventurers. Visitors descend 65
steps (no lift), navigating narrow, low-ceilinged tunnels—hard hats are
provided, essential for taller guests. The caves’ 7°C chill demands
warm clothing and sturdy shoes, especially after rain, as floors can be
slippery. Key features include:
Wedding Cake: A calcite column
sparkling under lights.
Sleeping Cat: A whimsical stalactite
formation.
Reindeer Cave: Home to fossil displays and eerie
acoustics.
Curtains and Flowstone: Dripstone sheets glowing with
mineral hues.
A unique Ultraviolet (UV) Experience, available
after 3pm, dims regular lights, providing UV torches to reveal
calcite’s fluorescent glow—an innovative twist praised by visitors,
though some expected fixed UV lighting. Educational signs feature
characters like “Sally Shark Tooth,” while a fairy door trail and
fossil quiz (with prizes like gemstones) delight kids. An audio guide,
downloadable but not always advertised, adds depth.
The visitor
center enhances the day:
Time Café: Serves homemade scones, sausage
rolls, and coffee, though recent menu shifts to fast food have drawn
mixed reviews (e.g., a £11 steak pie criticized as “paste with gravy”).
Prices range from £3 for cakes to £10–15 for meals.
Gift Shop:
Stocks fossils, crystals, jewelry, and local honey, earning praise for
quality over tacky souvenirs.
Cinema Room: Screens a 20-minute film
on cave geology, best viewed before touring, though shown post-tour.
Fossil Dig and Gem Panning: Outdoor activities for kids, weather
permitting.
Tickets cost £15 (adults), £10.50 (children 4–17),
£47.50 (family of four), with free entry for under-4s. Booking online
saves 10%, and York Pass holders get discounts. The site opens 9am–6pm
(7pm Saturdays), with winter hours limited to weekends and holidays. No
wheelchairs or dogs (except guide dogs) are allowed underground due to
65 steps and uneven terrain; the café and shop are accessible.
Motorhome parking (£5/night, max three nights) offers hilltop views but
requires self-contained facilities.
Events include Easter egg
hunts, Dino Days with fossil talks, and school tours (£6/child, one
free teacher per 20 students). Visitors rave about staff
friendliness—guides like Stephen shine—but note busy café tables need
faster clearing. TripAdvisor rates it 4.5/5 from 700+ reviews, with
families loving the “dinosaur egg” anagram trail.
Stump Cross Caverns embody Yorkshire’s rugged charm and geological
legacy. Their discovery by lead miners reflects the Dales’ industrial
past, while fossils evoke a prehistoric wilderness. The 1963 isolation
experiment, though quirky, underscores their role in pushing human
limits. Locally, they’re a point of pride—Nidderdale’s “underground
jewel”—and their Stump Cross Ale ties them to Yorkshire’s brewing
tradition.
Nationally, they join caves like Cheddar Gorge in
showcasing Britain’s subterranean heritage. Educationally, they
inspire, with quizzes and online tours reaching global audiences. Posts
on X highlight their family appeal, citing fossil digs and
cavewoman-guided adventures as 2025 draws.
The caverns face hurdles: no wheelchair access limits inclusivity,
and mobility-impaired visitors may find the 65 steps daunting. Café
quality has dipped since losing a chef, with some calling the menu
“average” compared to nearby Toft Gate Barn. Financially, the
Bowermans’ crowdfunding reveals the struggle to maintain a niche
attraction amid rising costs. Climate change could alter groundwater,
affecting formations, though the caves’ depth offers resilience.
Future plans include expanding educational outreach—virtual reality
tours are mooted—and restoring more passages. The Bowermans aim to keep
prices affordable while enhancing the UV Experience, potentially adding
fixed lighting. Community ties, via local schools and fossil clubs,
ensure Stump Cross remains a Dales staple.