Peak Cavern Access
Exit at any time, but must be by 4PM if there is an event taking place.
Bookings
Booking details are available here.
General Information
Peak Cavern access is available throughout the year but must be pre-arranged via a booking request. (We will do our best to accommodate your request but if none of the key holders are available we may have to refuse access)
Historically the Peak season ran from October to March on the Sundays (Excluding Bank Holidays)
The charge this season is £4 per head (see breakdown of fees below under "Indemnities & Fees").
Please note that trips into Peak Cavern are weather dependant. Decisions about cancelling a trip will be made jointly between the group and the key holder.
The Peak System is notorious for flooding. Food dumps are situated at Picnic Dig in the main streamway and at Treasury Chamber, familiarise yourself with their location but do not tamper. Trips should be aborted immediately following any rise in water level and will not take place if flooding is predicted.
Water & Weather information is available at:
We meet at the Technical Speleological Group Headquarters ("The Chapel" - on the main road in the middle of Castleton, between the two right-angled bends, opposite the school).
Visitors can change at the TSG HQ, where gear can be left during the trip and provision is made for you to be able to get into the Chapel after the trip.
Alternatively, cavers with the correct fees and any necessary indemnities should meet the key holder at the cavern entrance gate at 09:45 so they can be let into the cavern before opening time at 10:00.
If a leader is required this can generally be arranged but must be pre-arranged when booking.
Our access agreement is for research purposes, and monitoring equipment of various kinds may be in place. Please avoid taped areas, and keep clear of instruments etc.
Digging is not discouraged, but your plans must be discussed first with the key holders. This avoids pointless disturbance of sediments with potential research value, and enables advice to be given about sensible disposal of spoil.
No ladders or other gear are needed for a tourist trip in most of the system.
Full names of cavers and contact details for each group must be printed onto the register of cavers which is taken to the cave.
All cavers should familiarise themselves with the conservation guidelines for the Peak/Speedwell system
Cavers must be out before 4pm if there is a Cinema Night or Concert taking place.
Group leaders should text/ring the key holder to inform them that this is the case.
Please however be aware that it is the key holder's responsibility to ensure that the cave is secure at the end of the day so try not to be too late out.
Any accidents in the cave requiring a DCRO presence should be notified immediately to the key holder if at all possible.
Group Co-ordinators
Please ensure all members of the party read and understand this prior to the trip. Sort out any required indemnity forms and cash before bringing your group to meet the key holder either at the Chapel or outside the cavern at the allotted time – usually 09:45, but the key holder may notify you of a different time. If your details (e.g. name list) have changed from that described on your original access form, please submit a new access form showing the correct data.
- Individuals should be covered by a suitable insurance policy such as the BCA scheme. The co-ordinator should have proof of insurance for the group.
- Indemnities - Need completing once a year from 1st January. Please down load appropriate form: Either indemnity form for adults or indemnity form for under-18s.The forms should be fully completed and witnessed and delivered to the keyholder with the correct funds– £1 per person, preferably in £1 coins, so it can be split - on the date of the trip. See next section.
Group Coordinators are responsible for ensuring that each member of their group exits the cave safely before the closing time for the show cave. They must also call the key holder (phone or text) to notify that they are all safely out of the cave. Failure to do this may result in a DCRO call-out, but Group Coordinators must not rely on the key holder to instigate a call out, there should be an independent call-out process organised for each group.
Indemnities & Fees
Indemnities need completing once a year from January 1st (Please find the downloadable document below). The forms should be fully completed and witnessed - £1.00 (the "Peak Fund")
Day fees - £1.00, not applicable to overnight guests at the TSG, or to cavers not using TSG Chapel for changing.
Peak Cavern fees - £2.00
General Rules
- Adequate warm clothing is essential
- Carbide is not allowed in the cave
- Please do not smoke in the cave
- Make sure you wash off before proceeding through the show cave – Brushes available near Buxton Water Sump dam.
- No lights to be used in the show cave during opening hours
- Please close and bolt the gate behind you at the top of Devil's Staircase
- Do not lean on gates or fences, which the public come into contact with
- Please respect any paying groups – Wait until the show cave guide tells you that you can pass
- Please be quiet in the vicinity of guided tours
- Don’t forget to sign out
- Last person out must take the clipboard back to the Chapel
- If the showcave is closed, keys will be with the clipboard. Ensure that you lock the cave behind you and return these to the Chapel (TSG hut). Key holders will give full instructions prior to the trip.
Variety of Trips
It is possible to do a variety of trips in the Peak / Speedwell system. Please allow generous call out times depending on the size / ability of your group.
Popular trips include:
- Tourist to Buxton Water Sump, Ink Sump and Far Sump
- Moss Chamber
- White River via Block Hall exit Block Hall
- White River via Block Hall exit Ventilator
- Speedwell (Under no circumstances attempt exit via Speedwell Show cave)
- Far Sump Extensions
Most of these trips can easily be completed by a small group within Peak Cavern opening times however, both White River trips can take between 6 to 9 hours depending on the ability of your group. It has been known for a White River trip to take 11 hours!
Note that to dive any of the sumps within Peak Cavern and/or Speedwell mine, there is a list of rules to adhere to - see www.peakspeedwell.info/index.php/access-information/cave-diving-access
Fixed Aids
Other than the items listed in the fixed aids log, the Peak key holders and Peak Cavern management are not responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and inspection of any fixed aids, anchors, ropes and connectors left in situ within the Peak - Speedwell system.
You are responsible for the inspection of all anchors, ropes and connectors left in situ, prior to use. Please report any damage to any fixed aids in the system immediately.
Fixed aids Log maintained by Peak Cavern key holders committee:
- Surprise View Ladder
- Egnaro Aven Ladder
- Fawlty Tower Ladder
- Ropes, Anchors and Connectors in Block Hall
- Anchors only on direct descent Titan
- Ladder on Bung Hole pitch
- Treasury Bolts
Download the PDFaccess guidelines here.