The Peak District National Park boasts spectacular countryside with undulating pastureland and harsh gritstone crags stretching to the heavens, but it also conceals a secret world hidden deep underground, just waiting to be discovered.
A combination of geology and the area’s mining history has left a series of mysterious subterranean caves which have become popular tourist destinations for visitors to the Peak District. There are so many Peak District caves to explore, but the highest concentration of show caves is found in Castleton. The village is a great place to start discovering Peak District caverns and caves, but there are many others to be found in the national park too, each with its own unique secrets to reveal.
As well as giving you the opportunity to learn about the area’s history and geology, Peak District caves make brilliant all-weather attractions too, with the very nature of them being underground means you have shelter from the elements. So, what are you waiting for? Here are our favourite caves in the Peak District to inspire your next holiday adventure.
Caves in Castleton
Speedwell Cavern
Explore this unique show cave with a fun boat ride which takes you through the flooded workings of an 18th-century mine. First, you’ll descend 106 steps from the concealed entrance to the cave, high above the village of Castleton. Then, step onto the boat to glide serenely through the historic lead mine and listen to the stories it holds. After meandering underground, you’ll then come across the famous Bottomless Pit, a huge lake 200 metres under the earth’s surface. It’s truly a journey like no other.
Address: Winnats Pass, Castleton S33 BWA
Opening times: April – October: daily 10am to 5pm; November – March: weekends 10am to 5pm, weekdays 10am to 4pm
Entry prices: Adults £18.75, Children £11, Families £48.50, 4s and under are free
Peak Cavern
Just down the road from Speedwell Cavern is Peak Cavern, also affectionately known as ‘Devil’s Arse’. One of the best caverns in the Peak District, it is situated directly beneath the magnificent ruins of Peveril Castle and claims to have the largest cave entrance in Britain – in fact, it once contained houses and even an alehouse! The guided tour of the caves takes you through Pluto’s Dining Room, the Great Cave and the Devil’s Cellar where you can hear the stream flowing underneath the cavern. Visit at Christmas for the carol concerts that make the most of the incredible underground acoustics of the Orchestra Gallery.
Address: Peak Cavern Walk, Castleton S33 8WP
Opening times: April – October: daily 10am to 5pm; November – March: weekends and daily during school holidays, 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday outside of school holidays, 10am to 4pm
Entry prices: Adults £18.75, Children £11
Blue John Cavern
Another magnificent cave in Castleton, the Blue John Cavern is home to eight different varieties of Blue John stone which is still mined there today to be turned into jewellery and other ornamental objects. Learn more on one of the best-loved cave tours in the Peak District which takes you through the jaw-dropping series of water-worn caves; discover stalactites, stalagmites and Blue John in its natural state, embedded in the limestone. Dogs are also welcome to explore the cave if on a lead, making this one of the Peak District’s best dog-friendly attractions.
Address: Cross Street, Castleton S33 8WH
Opening times: 9.30am – 3pm daily
Entry prices: Adults £17, Children £11, Concessions £12, Families £50
Treak Cliff Cavern
This fascinating cavern in Castleton is another brilliant place to visit to learn about the unique mineral Blue John Stone and how it’s mined, processed and retailed all on one site. Blue John has been mined at this cave for over 300 years and you can explore the underground wonders which date back 330 million years, including the Witch’s Cave and Aladdin’s Cave, and maybe even see some bats! You can also visit the museum and the Cavern Visitor Centre to see some fantastic examples of Blue John craft, or purchase some jewellery made from the mineral in the gift shop.
Address: Buxton Road, Castleton S33 8PW
Opening times: March – October: daily 10am to 4pm; November – February: daily 10am to 3pm
Entry prices: Adults £14.50, Child 5-15 £8, Under 5s free, Concessions £11
Stay in Castleton
Other caves to visit in the Peak District
Poole’s Cavern
On the outskirts of the beautiful spa town of Buxton is Poole’s Cavern, a natural limestone cavern regarded as one of the best show caves in the UK. Join a guided tour deep underground to see the spectacular sight of crystal stalagmites and stalactites glistening in this ‘wonder of the Peak’ and spy evidence of prehistoric life. Each tour lasts around 50 minutes and afterwards you can explore the rest of the county park surrounded by beautiful High Peak scenery.
Address: Green Lane, Buxton SK17 9DH
Opening times: daily 10am to 4.30pm
Entry prices: Adults £14.50, Children 6.80, Families £37.50, Concessions £12
Stay nearby: Laurel View, Buxton | sleeps 4
Masson and Rutland Caverns
As part of the fantastic Peak District attraction, the Heights of Abraham, you can delve deep underground to explore two caverns: Masson and Rutland. Both of these caverns were once the site of lead and fluorite mines but now offer a brilliant day out for all ages. Enjoy a guided tour of the Masson Cavern where you can marvel at the underground illuminations, while a tour around Rutland Cavern sheds light on the dangerous life of the women and children within the mines. From deep underground to high in the sky - when your tour is finished, you can then explore the stunning sights of the Heights of Abraham from the cable cars.
Address: The Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath DE4 3NT
Opening times: February 11th to 26th, and March 25th to November 5th: every day 10am to 4pm. February 27th to March 24th: Friday to Monday 10am to 4pm.
Entry prices: Adults £23.50, Children £16, Families £71, Under 5s free
Stay nearby: Millside Cottage, Matlock | sleeps 6 + 1 dog
Creswell Crags
This underground attraction is a little outside of the Peak District but still worth a journey. On the border of Derbyshire and Nottingham, this limestone gorge is peppered with small caves which make a fascinating day out. Creswell Crags boasts four brilliant tours: learn about what life was like during the last Ice Age in the Robin Hood Cave, discover Britain’s only Ice Age rock art in Church Hole Cave, see the spooky Witch Marks, or delve deep into the hyena’s den at Pin Hole Cave. After exploring underground, you can also take in the spectacular scenery around the lake and gorge.
Address: Crags Road, Welbeck S80 3LH
Opening times: February and October: daily 10am to 4.30pm; March to September: daily 10am to 5pm; November to January: weekends 10am – 4.30pm
Entry prices: Dependent on activity – see website for details.
Stay nearby: Southwood Chase, Chesterfield | sleeps 10
Stay with us in the Peak District
If you’ve been inspired to explore the underground world of the Peak District, why not spoil yourself with a stay in much more desirable surroundings? Our range of cottages in the Peak District offer a fantastic place to stay after a day of subterranean adventures, whether you’re visiting for a family-friendly holiday, a couples’ retreat or a big group get-together. Take a look at our collection of brilliant Peak District cottages by clicking on the button below.
Peak District cottages
Peak District caves on a map