Skirwith cave is situated in the yorkshire dales just outside of Ingleton.
Back in 1964 (although I had heard of it being operational before then but cannot find evidence) it was opened to the public as a showcave. Complete with steps, lights, and walkways it was apparently a busy tourist attraction.
The site of the ticket office can still be seen, as can the old public toilets. Nearby was the "original entrance", which collapsed shortly after opening. This created the need to open a second entrance further uphill (gianed via the steps beside the ticket office) which was used for a few years before it too collapsed.
A third entrance was then created, a grand concrete arch with an iron gate. I believe the ticket office was closed and a "coin slot" turnstile was installed.
Oddly nature refused to be tamed and this third entrance too collapsed and the cave was closed in 1974.
The final entance however is still accessable to the explorer and once inside the atmosphere is a somber and eerie one.
The showcave has been reclaimed by nature, with broken wooden walkways, and dilapidated concrete steps, interspersed by natural boulder chokes and streamways.
It makes for quite a spooky and unusual explore, it has an almost oppresive atmosphere at times, almost as though you are being allowed to enter by some unseen force, yet always being watched, and if you out stay your welcome you are warned by strange noises such as ghostly chattering from down the passage ahead, or the sudden boom and echo of fallling rocks, even though afterwards there is no fallen stone to see.
Have been down a few times now over the past few years, and have never been dissapointed. I guess the atmosphere stems from it being partly man made yet slowly being recliamed by nature, gives you the feeling that man is not quite welcome there anymore. As for the noises.....go find out for yourself..
To see more pics from my last visit please click this link - http://flickr.com/photos/18394337@N00/sets/72157612724905216/detail/
Back in 1964 (although I had heard of it being operational before then but cannot find evidence) it was opened to the public as a showcave. Complete with steps, lights, and walkways it was apparently a busy tourist attraction.
The site of the ticket office can still be seen, as can the old public toilets. Nearby was the "original entrance", which collapsed shortly after opening. This created the need to open a second entrance further uphill (gianed via the steps beside the ticket office) which was used for a few years before it too collapsed.
A third entrance was then created, a grand concrete arch with an iron gate. I believe the ticket office was closed and a "coin slot" turnstile was installed.
Oddly nature refused to be tamed and this third entrance too collapsed and the cave was closed in 1974.
The final entance however is still accessable to the explorer and once inside the atmosphere is a somber and eerie one.
The showcave has been reclaimed by nature, with broken wooden walkways, and dilapidated concrete steps, interspersed by natural boulder chokes and streamways.
It makes for quite a spooky and unusual explore, it has an almost oppresive atmosphere at times, almost as though you are being allowed to enter by some unseen force, yet always being watched, and if you out stay your welcome you are warned by strange noises such as ghostly chattering from down the passage ahead, or the sudden boom and echo of fallling rocks, even though afterwards there is no fallen stone to see.
Have been down a few times now over the past few years, and have never been dissapointed. I guess the atmosphere stems from it being partly man made yet slowly being recliamed by nature, gives you the feeling that man is not quite welcome there anymore. As for the noises.....go find out for yourself..
To see more pics from my last visit please click this link - http://flickr.com/photos/18394337@N00/sets/72157612724905216/detail/
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