Hiya, I was just wondering if anyone knows of any caves in the mid to south Lakes that are easy to access and non-touristy. i.e No guided tours & no SRT or diving equipment required!! ;)

I have good clothing, reliable torches, obligatory hard hat & a keen sense of what looks dangerous.
Can anyone suggest anything??
Any suggestions of places around the Manchester and West Yorks areas also appreciated...
Thanks in advance.

[tweak]Thread title modified![/tweak]

Google is your fiend!! try looking up UKcaving, loadsa info there.

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The Dales are your nearest bet. Pitches/srt common, but maybe Great Douk to Middle Washfold (near the Hill Inn - Chapel le Dale near Ingleton) would be an interesting trip. Also Crackpot Cave up in Swaledale or Ibeth Peril in Dentdale.

Robin

Plenty of caves inside mines in the South Lakes area - Henning Valley Cave, Whitriggs Horse Level to name but two. The cave bits aren't truly easy to find but they're definitely there.

Of course there's Wakebarrow Pot on Whitbarrow Scar, an interesting crawl but it has a short pitch in it.

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I'm really REALLY sorry Wormster!!!.... My appologies if I've offended you by calling a mine a cave... Personally I never noticed my error.

Thanks Monty and Berty I'll have a look into thoes! ;D

Ok... so my 1st post didn't go too well... So Wormster do you know of any MINES in the area I'm refering to??

Give me strength!

Let's see if a change of title does the trick?! :flowers:

😞
Well... my 1st post went badly!! I called a mine a cave by mistake and appear to have wasted a day and annoyed someone!!

So I'll try again...... I've been looking through the site and find all the mines & photo's facinating and would love to find some easy mines to explore in the south lakes, Manchester and West Yorks area. When I say easy, I'm looking for somewhere that's relativly safe & non touristy.
Can anyone help?

Thanks 😉

I'll delete the other thread and I'm sure that someone familiar with the lake district will be along to assist with the names of a few easy mines!

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Ok mebbe I was a bit harsh, apologies.

You could try the copper mines round Conniston, below Leathers water are plenty of levels: Hospital, Taylors and Flemmings spring to mind.

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If the Peak District is within reach for you, there's a few I can recommend!

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OK - as to mines in South Lakes.

You might have a look in some of the Slate mines around Hodge Close or the ones on the side of Coniston Old Man.

I think most of the Copper Mines are a bit dangerous to enter if you've no gear. Hospital/Grey Crag level has some nasty holes in the floor which really require a minimum of a belay belt and cows tails. The exception is Deep Level which is pretty safe up to the intersection with the Old Engine Shaft.

Don't forget - wherever you go - leave your whereabouts with someone. Just in case. 🙂

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Hey, thanks for the replies (and thanks Vanoord that did the trick)
Wormster (appology warmly accepted) 🙂 I'm glad you mentioned Coniston copper mines, as that was high up on my list of possibilities. Can you give me a few more details of the levels you speak of below Leathers Water (I assume you mean Thirlmere damn (just been reading up on that... very interesting... especially the 100 miles of tunnel that connects it to Bolton/Manchester 😮 Does any have a map of that tunnel route out of interest?)
Anyway the Levels below Leathers Water, info on access locations would be fantastic.
I struggled for a while trying to find info. on Taylors & Flemmings.... Eventually I found ref to them on a write up on Coniston Mines http://massoncavers.com/doc/Masson%20News%20March%2007.doc  which seems to give some clue to their location.

I will take your advice Monty & give these copper mines a miss until I can take my friend with alot of climbing & rope skills. Where abouts is Deep Level?

I fell in love with Hodge Close years ago, such a lovely area. could you give me any clues to and good explore's there?

"AR" I'm from Blackpool so the Peak District is about equidistant. So YES any info on beginners Mines in that area would also be brilliant.

Thanks & Thanks again!!

Next time you're in the Lakes, have a look in the many bookshops for anything by Ian Tyler, a well known and well respected mining historian. He has covered most of the Lakeland mines in detail and his books provide maps, plans and pics of each area.

Manxman.

Next time you're in the Lakes, have a look in the many bookshops for anything by Ian Tyler, a well known and well respected mining historian. He has covered most of the Lakeland mines in detail and his books provide maps, plans and pics of each area.

Manxman.

Brilliant... I'm planning a trip up there this weekend, so I'll keep my eye's open.. Thanks.

Bit of a mix-up happening here.

"Leathers water" is really called Levers Water and is up above the Coniston Mines (Grey Grag side). Really most of the levels and shafts are inaccessible without SRT gear.

Thirlmere is a feeder for Manchester and there's an excellent display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester on that subject. Thirlmere Mine is high up on the fells above the lake but again is really only accessible by SRT as the levels are not that long.

Contact Mike Moore (on here as moorebooks) and he will be able to furnish you with a small library on the Lake District Mines.

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Thanks for that correction of Leather water... 🙂

Hehe... surely not..... Wormster getting something wrong!!
(smiles to himself and shares a chip with Wormster) 😞

I would suggest when in Coniston you purchase:
Coniston Copper Mines A Field Guide by Eric Holland (probably under £10).
Covers nearly all the more accessible levels with warnings about sumps or other hazards. Also gives a good layout of where the specific entrances are.
A good introduction for anyone not accompanied by a regular explorer.

Ian Tyler as far as I am aware has not as yet covered the Coniston coppermines in detail?
Be careful.
Jeff

Thanks for that correction of Leather water... 🙂

Hehe... surely not..... Wormster getting something wrong!!
(smiles to himself and shares a chip with Wormster) 😞

Ah c'mon I'm only human and could be wrong.............mmmmm soggy chips :lol:

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Ian Tyler - it's only a matter of time. :smartass:

[tweak]A small bit of tweaking of posts to remove a bit of banter that escaped the naughty words filter 😉 [/tweak]

Do I get the impression an easy trip in the Lake District might be called for? 🙂

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If a Lakes Trip is planned, I can provide accommodation - I manage YHA Coniston Holly How youth hostel! Walking distance from Coppermines Valley and Tilberthwaite - also, Hodge Close!

"AR" I'm from Blackpool so the Peak District is about equidistant. So YES any info on beginners Mines in that area would also be brilliant

OK, try these three for starters:
Devonshire cavern at Matlock Bath - quite an extensive system running up and down Coalpit rake, mostly walking/crawling with a few optional SRT bits for the more adventurous

Mouldridge mine, near Pikehall - mostly walking size passages, some climbs and crawls if you fancy.

Groaning Tor level, near Cromford - crawl in but mostly walking/stooping passage after that, there are also a number of other mines in this area worth visiting like Jacob's Dream, Dunsley Springs, and Slaley Sough although the latter has a couple of deep internal shafts to watch out for!

Let me know if you need any more details.

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