Set at the foot of the spectacular Winnats Pass, high above the village of Castleton, Speedwell Cavern takes you on an incredible underground boat journey. Descend the 106 steps from the almost hidden cave entrance to the landing stage of an underground canal where you step on to your tour guides' boat. From here you journey through the workings of a 200 year old lead mine, blasted out of solid limestone by intrepid C18th miners. Picture in your mind what it must have been like to carve out these tunnels using only the most primitive tools as your guide recounts the story of the mine which opens into a network of natural caverns and underground rivers. At the Halfway House the canal tunnel splits into two to allow oncoming boats to pass as you make your way 200 meters below the surface of the hill before entering a magnificent cathedral-like cavern containing the awesome Bottomless Pit - a huge subterranean lake. Your guide will reveal how the lake got its name among other mysteries, before you return to the surface and daylight! 

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING 

When booking please select the number and type of tickets  that you require. Then pick a date and an arrival timeslot. The time on your ticket will show when we ask you to arrive by. Your tour will start 20 minutes later. The total duration is typically 45 minutes to 1 hour after your start time. Please arrive within your timeslot so you're ready for your boat trip. If you miss your start time we may not be able to accommodate you on a later tour. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE GIVEN. If you know you will be late telephone us on 01433 623018 and we will do our best to move you to a later tour subject to availability.  

A family group of 2 adults and 2 small children (under 8 years) or 1 adult and 3 children (under 8 years) may purchase tickets for 2 Adults and 1 child only. You will be seated together on 1 bench (it will be a squeeze, and if the children are too big you will end up having to sit one on an adults knee). Children 4 years old and under are free of charge provided you sit them on an adults knee on the boat (strictly 1 free child per adult). No ticket is required so do not include them in your numbers. 

Please note that there are 106 steps down into the Cavern, and 106 back up on the way out! The Cavern is not suitable if you are claustrophobic.