Gaping Gill, the largest cavern in Britain, is open to the public this week – but you’ll need to be quick if you want to experience the landmark.
That’s because the cave, in Yorkshire Dales National Park, is only accessible for two weeks of the year.
Normally, only cavers are allowed to enter the chamber, which sits under the moorland.
However, Bradford and Craven Pothole Clubs each operate a publicly-available winch for a week annually, offering up to 20 people per hour the chance to descend into the cavern from a hole in the roof.
The drop from the moor top to the bottom of Gaping Gill Main Chamber is 110 metres, the same height as St Paul’s Cathedral.
The main chamber measures 129m long, 31m high, and 25m wide and connects to one of the UK’s longest and most complex cave systems. A stream, Fell Beck, pours over a lip of rock above before crashing to the floor of the cavern.
The latest ‘winch meet’ is being held by Bradford Pothole Club between Saturday May 27 and Friday June 2.
Visitors can pay £15 to be hauled down Gaping Gill, travelling down through the bottom and back up again, the same route first taken by pioneer potholer John Birkbeck in 1842 and Frenchman Edouard Martel (the first to reach the bottom) in 1895.
When a 3D model of the cavern was created in 2014, it was found to have around the same volume as York Minster, and it’s a popular spot for cavers.
You’ll need an intrepid spirit to get there, though. The walk from from the nearest carpark in Clapham to Gaping Gill can take over 90 minutes depending on your fitness and ability.
Helmets will be provided for those who make the trek, but you’ll need to bring your own suitable warm waterproof clothing, gloves and footwear for your visit underground.
Members of the public are not allowed to camp in the vicinity of Gaping Gill, and all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult (the minimum age for descent is 6 years at the Meet Leader’s discretion).
As long as you follow the rules and don’t mind a bit of a hike to get there, though, it’s an incredible experience for adventurers and thrillseekers alike.
Check out details via Bradford Pothole Club – but if you miss this week’s meet, there’s always this one in August.
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