Location: Somerset Map
Human habitation: 50,000 years ago
Age of limestone: 400 million years
Known cave vandals: Alexander Pope
Wookey Hole Caves, nestled in the Mendip Hills near the village of Wookey Hole in Somerset, England, are one of the UK’s most spectacular show cave systems. This series of limestone caverns, carved out by the River Axe, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geological and biological significance. Renowned for their stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools, the caves blend natural beauty with a rich tapestry of human history, folklore, and modern tourism. Beyond the caves themselves, Wookey Hole offers a sprawling array of family-friendly attractions, from adventure golf to a circus school, making it a multifaceted destination.
Wookey Hole Caves are a classic example of a solutional cave
system, formed over millions of years by the chemical weathering
of limestone. Rainwater, naturally acidic from dissolved carbon
dioxide, percolated through the Carboniferous Limestone of the
Mendip Hills, dissolving the rock to create vast chambers and
intricate passageways. Uniquely, the cave’s entrance is formed
in Triassic Dolomitic Conglomerate, a cemented fossil scree from
an ancient valley, before transitioning to limestone deeper
within.
The River Axe, which flows through the caves, is
the second-largest resurgence in the Mendips, draining a
catchment area of about 46.2 square kilometers with an average
discharge of 789 liters per second. The river’s path has
sculpted dramatic features, including the Great Hall, a towering
chamber over 70 feet high, and the Witch’s Parlour, a vast dome
carved by an ancient whirlpool. Stalactites and stalagmites,
formed by mineral-rich water dripping over millennia, adorn the
caves, some merging into columns that stretch from floor to
ceiling. The caves maintain a constant temperature of 11°C
(52°F) and high humidity, creating a stable environment for both
geological formations and, famously, cheese maturation.
The system’s full extent remains unknown, with approximately
4,000 meters (13,000 feet) explored, including 25 chambers,
though only eight are accessible to the public. Formed under
phreatic conditions (below the water table), the caves later
drained as regional water levels dropped, leaving some passages
abandoned by the river. Evidence of ancient resurgences and
seismic activity, possibly from the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, adds
to their geological intrigue, with some stalactites believed to
have been toppled by distant tremors.
Wookey Hole’s human history spans 45,000 years, weaving together prehistoric habitation, ancient rituals, and modern exploration.
The caves were first occupied during the Paleolithic era, around
45,000 years ago, as evidenced by tools and fossilized remains
of Ice Age animals like cave lions, hyenas, bears, and
rhinoceroses. Cave hyenas used the caves as dens between 35,000
and 25,000 BCE, likely driving prey over cliffs before feeding.
By the Iron Age (circa 250–300 BCE), Celtic farmers lived near
the entrance, using natural light to work and burning animal-fat
lamps to explore deeper chambers, some now submerged. The Celts
used the fourth chamber as a burial ground, a practice common in
Somerset, with human remains and offerings found alongside flint
tools.
The Romans, arriving in 43 CE, recognized the
Mendips’ mineral wealth, mining lead near Wookey Hole with
Celtic cooperation. Roman coins and pottery suggest the caves
were a site of pagan worship, possibly linked to underworld
deities, given their imposing depths.
By the Dark Ages, Wookey Hole’s eerie chambers inspired the
legend of the Witch of Wookey Hole, a stalagmite said to be a
malevolent witch petrified by a Glastonbury monk’s holy water.
This tale, likely rooted in Christian efforts to demonize pagan
sites, endures as a visitor draw, with the stalagmite’s
human-like form fueling its mystique. In 1912, archaeologist
Herbert Balch uncovered 1,000-year-old female bones, playfully
tied to the “witch” by locals, though likely a Celtic burial.
The caves served practical roles too. From 1610, the site
housed a paper mill, powered by the River Axe, producing
high-quality paper for centuries. By the 18th century, known as
“Okey Hole” (from Celtic ogo, meaning cave), the caves drew
curious visitors, described in 1681 by geologist John Beaumont
as a natural wonder.
The 1700s saw Wookey Hole become a destination for adventurous
travelers, marveling at its underground river and rock
formations. By the 1920s, owner Gerald Hodgkinson formalized
tourism, opening the caves as a show cave in 1927 after Balch’s
excavations. Early tours, led by locals like farmer George
Adlam, were rudimentary, with visitors wading through water.
The 1930s marked a milestone: the world’s first cave dives,
led by Graham Balcombe, Penelope Powell, and Jack Sheppard,
explored submerged passages using brass helmets and lead boots.
Their 1935 expedition, battling near-zero visibility, opened new
chambers and pioneered cave diving techniques. The caves’ diving
legacy continues, with over 4,000 meters charted, though much
remains unmapped.
In 1973, Madame Tussauds bought the
site, adding theatrical flair, before circus impresario Gerry
Cottle took over in 2003, blending history with family
entertainment. Tunnels and bridges, built in 1974, made deeper
chambers accessible, transforming Wookey Hole into a major
attraction.
As an SSSI, Wookey Hole supports unique biodiversity. The caves’
stable climate fosters rare fungi and bacteria, while bats,
including lesser horseshoe and greater horseshoe species, roost
in quieter chambers. The River Axe sustains aquatic life like
freshwater shrimp and small fish, adapted to low light.
Fossilized remains of prehistoric fauna—mammoths, hyenas, and
lions—highlight the caves’ role as an Ice Age habitat, with some
bones displayed in the onsite museum.
Above ground, the
site’s ravine and woodlands harbor birds like buzzards and
plants like wild thyme, though the focus remains underground,
where conservation ensures minimal disturbance to delicate
ecosystems.
Wookey Hole Caves offer a 35–45-minute guided tour through eight
chambers, each with distinct features:
Goatherder Chamber:
Named for ancient goat remains, it introduces the cave’s scale.
Great Hall: Soaring over 70 feet, it dazzles with stalactites
and witch markings—ancient symbols possibly for protection.
Witch’s Parlour: A 200-foot-deep dome, the UK’s largest natural
underground chamber, shaped by a prehistoric whirlpool.
Cathedral Chamber: Known for red iron-oxide walls and sheer
height, it evokes awe.
Chamber 20: Recently opened after
removing 4,000 tons of rock, it reveals a subterranean lake.
Hyena’s Den: Linked to Ice Age predators, it holds
archaeological relics.
Hell’s Ladder: A dramatic passage with
steep drops to the river.
Cheese Tunnel: Stores Wookey Hole
Cave-Aged Cheddar, matured for up to a year, its earthy flavor
enhanced by the cave’s humidity.
Tours, led by
knowledgeable guides like Neil or Craig, blend geology, history,
and the witch legend, with humor to engage all ages. Outside
school holidays, fully guided tours dive deeper into lore;
during holidays, guides introduce the first chambers, then
visitors explore at their own pace. Sensible shoes are advised
for uneven, wet floors, and the caves are not
wheelchair-accessible, though a 45-minute virtual tour is
offered in the mill.
Beyond the caves, Wookey Hole is a
family playground with over 20 attractions:
Wookey Hole
Circus: Performs three original shows yearly, dazzling with
acrobatics and magic.
4D Cinema: Screens films like Ice Age:
Dawn of the Dinosaurs, with sensory effects.
Pirate Adventure
Golf: A themed course with river views.
Valley of the
Dinosaurs: Features 30+ animatronic beasts and a 30-foot King
Kong.
Fairy Gardens and Witch’s Laboratory: Enchant kids with
tiny doors and magical setups.
Vintage Penny Arcade: Offers
retro games, a nostalgic hit.
Paper Mill Museum: Demonstrates
Victorian papermaking (seasonal).
Cave Diving Museum:
Chronicles the 1935 dive and beyond.
Soft Play and Mirror
Maze: Keeps younger kids entertained.
Dino Dig: Lets kids
unearth “fossils.”
For thrill-seekers, Wild Wookey offers
a multi-award-winning caving adventure, involving climbing,
crawling, and abseiling through unlit passages, guided by
experts. The site hosts events like Easter egg hunts, Halloween
scares, and the Comedy Cavern, with stand-up nights in 2025.
Facilities include a restaurant serving homemade dishes from
noon, an ice cream parlor with 25 flavors (including vegan
options), and a gift shop selling cave-aged cheddar. Free
parking and Tesco Clubcard vouchers enhance value. Tickets
(£20–£25, with online discounts) cover all attractions, valid
all day. The onsite Wookey Hole Hotel, with 58 rooms, and nearby
lodges suit overnight stays.
Wookey Hole’s allure lies in its blend of raw nature and human
stories. The Witch of Wookey Hole, whether a geological quirk or
medieval myth, embodies the caves’ mystique, inspiring tales and
even Doctor Who’s Revenge of the Cybermen (filmed here in 1975).
Its role as the birthplace of cave diving, marked by Powell and
Balcombe’s 1935 feat, adds global import, celebrated in the
onsite museum.
The caves’ prehistoric past—tools, bones,
and burials—offers a window into early humanity, while their
Roman and Celtic echoes hint at sacred rites. Modern touches,
like cheese maturation and circus shows, reflect Somerset’s
knack for blending tradition with whimsy. Visitors praise the
caves’ beauty and variety, though some note rushed tours or
dated attractions; TripAdvisor reviews average 4.5 stars, with
guides like Emily earning kudos for wit.
Wookey Hole faces challenges: erosion threatens outer chambers,
and high humidity requires constant maintenance. Accessibility
is limited—no wheelchairs or buggies underground—and dog bans
(except guide dogs) disappoint some. Balancing tourism with
conservation is key, as bat roosts and rare microbes need
protection.
The Cottle family, owners since 2003, plan to
enhance attractions while preserving history, with ideas for new
chambers and eco-friendly upgrades. Climate change, potentially
altering groundwater, looms, but the caves’ resilience, honed
over millions of years, bodes well.