Introduction
The Peak Speedwell System is located in the village of Castleton, made up of Peak Cavern, Speedwell Mine, James Hall Over Engine Mine and Titan Shaft. The system contains about 18km of cave passage, one of the deepest underground cave dives in the UK, down to a depth of 74 metres; the highest underground pitch in the UK which is 145 metres high, it has six known entrances but only four are usable.
Updated - 19/10/2020
Covid 19 - Peak Speedwell System (Including Titan & James Hall)
Trips into Peak Cavern via the show cave are now allowed, but only at weekends and numbers are restricted. Access to the TSG Chapel is currently restricted to members of TSG or CDG because of covid-19, so cavers who are not members of either of these groups will need to make other arrangements for changing if they wish to access Peak Speedwell via the Peak Cavern Showcave. Please note that changing in public in the streets or car parks of Castleton has never been allowed, and any cavers doing this risk losing future access to this system for all.
As previously reported, access is allowed through the upper entrances of James Hall Over Engine Mine (JH) and Titan, but cavers doing so will need to exit via either JH or Titan as through trips exiting via Peak Cavern show cave are not currently permitted. Access via the Speedwell Canal is not currently allowed. Full details of access via Peak Cavern show cave can be found in the appropriate section.
Peak Cavern Events 2020
PEAK CAVERN HAVE A NUMBER OF EVENTS RUNNING DURING THE YEAR
WHEN AFTER HOURS ACCESS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.
ON THESE DAYS, YOU WILL NEED TO BE OUT OF PEAK CAVERN BY 4PM
Thursday 7th May 2020 - Cinema
Friday 15th May 2020 - Cinema
Speedwell Bung Ladder - replaced
The Bung Ladder in Speedwell MIne has now been repaired and replaced. The four anchors that were installed about a month ago are still there and can be used by cavers if they still wish to protect themselves on the climb.
Transition Tube
Transition Tube is located at the end of Cliff Passage, Speedwell Mine. At the very end, a bouldery slope rises upwards to the left, that eventually reach the base of Cliff Cavern. The tube can be entered either from the very end of Cliff Passage or from a platform part way up the bouldery slope, both passages eventually meet and the tube continues.
Comprehensive List of Peak Speedwell System Surveys
These are the list of published complilation surveys that have appeared as full surveys of the Peak Speedwell System. This doesn't include surveys that have appeared in caving publications, accompaning articles etc about discoveries.
Read more: Comprehensive List of Peak Speedwell System Surveys
Countryfile: Castleton at Christmas
Sat 24th December 2017. BBC One
Duration: One Hour
This episode of Countryfile mainly featured the village of Castleton. Hope Vally, Peak District, centered around Peak Cavern which was having one of its annual carol concerts inside the Vestibule of the entrance chamber.