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Devonshire Caves- Back


Here are some of my images of caves I have visited in Devon. There are few large cave systems in Devon and those one can visit tend to be muddy. However there are some unusual sites. There are two major clubs in Devon the Devon Spelaeological Society and the Plymouth Caving Group. The DSS is the older of the organisations and has a field hut in Buckfastleigh. The PCG have done a considerable amount of mine exploration and mapping both in Devon and Cornwall.

The Sidmouth Tunnel

 

This curious underground feature lies about 250 metres east of the river mouth at Sidmouth. Driven in the early 19th century to carry stone from quarries further along the coast it was abandoned when the train that was supposed to use it was found to be too big. The tunnel contains deep water in sections and is home to lesser horseshoe bats. About 200 metres remain, and when the cliff line erodes back to the tunnel, which runs parallel to the cliff, there will be a very spectacular cliff fall! Although the rock is relatively unstable red marl it contains enough calcium carbonate for stalagmite formations to have developed making the walls quite colourful in places.

 

 

Bunker's Hole

This short cave near the hamlet of Dean outside Buckfastleigh is only accessible through a leader system. In the late 1960's a small extension was entered leading to a low tunnel smothered in aragonite crystals. This form of calcite seems to develop on the junction between slate and limestone and is rarely seen except in some caves in South Wales and the Quantock Hills of Somerset.

The Entrance

Looking out

Fin Chamber

Fin chamber

Between Fin Chamber and the Crystal Crawl

In the Crystal Crawl

Crystal Crawl

Crystal Crawl

Crystal Crawl

Aragonite

Aragonite

Aragonite

Aragonite

Aragonite

Near the Cactus

Near the Cactus

 

Afton Red Rift Cave

 

Although not particularly long this system offers both a satisfying round trip, some beautiful formations and some sporting traverses. It consists of a winding phreatic rift leading to a large terminal chamber. There are a couple of series of small side passages and a small hard to reach stream passage.

The entrance

Looking out

The gate

Start of the traverse

The traverse

Near the far end of the traverse

Near Flower Chamber

In Flower Chamber

Leaving Flower chamber

Traverse near start of Upper Series

Upper Series

Upper Series

Crystals in Upper Series

Entering Main Chamber

Entering Main Chamber

The famous curtain in Main Chamber

Main Chamber formations

Main Chamber formations

Bottom of Main Chamber

On the route to Watkins Squeeze

Formations near Mud Hall

Near Mud Hall

Watkins Squeeze

       

 

Pridhamsleigh Cavern

 

Situated just outside Buckfastleigh this is the second longest cave system in Devon and has been accessible for at least 2 centuries. It was presumably revealed, like most Devon caves, by quarrying. A large entrance portal leads to an insignificant crawl into the rest of the system - about 700 metres of so of complex, maze like muddy passages through which a variety of routes can be taken. The cave is very popular with outdoor pursuit groups, Scouts, and army cadets and has suffered as a consequence with very few of the stalactite formations first seen by the original surveyors 60 years ago now apparent. Cavers have also excavated many of the mud filled passages by their traffic converting crawls to standing height. The Deep Well, originally a cave diving site plumbed to a depth of 5 or 6 metres has become choked with mud and can now be waded across to the detriment of the formations on its previously rarely visited far side. The cave ends in a clear green lake. The water levels in the lake vary considerably throughout the year and these fluctuations became more noticeable when the A39 dual carriageway was constructed past the entrance. It is known that civil engineers encountered many cavities in the construction of the road and it may be that drainage patterns were interrupted. Eels have been seen in the lake suggested a link to surface waters. It seems unlikely that they make their way in via the cavers route! Divers started exploring the lake in the 1950's but it was not until the early 70's that a route at 25 metres depth was found through an archway into the vast chamber of Pridhamsleigh 2. If drained this chamber would be something like 40 metres high 40 metres long and about 25 metres wide. However it is filled with water to a depth of 34 metres. The size of the void has allowed suspended sediment to settle creating astonishingly good visibility and above water are some of the most spectacular speleothems in Devon. The lake is still being explored and mapped by Devon cavers.

 

If you wish to visit the cave please approach by approved route through the orchard containing the ancient dove cote, which is just over the bridge crossing the A38 dual carriageway. In 2007 the access fee was £1.50 payable down a chute in the tiny kiosk by the gate. Failure to do this risks removal of access to the cave as well the adjacent Dog Hole. The farmer has considered CCTV to observe trespassers so be warned.

 

The entrance

Looking out

further in

The real entrance

Just inside

On the way to Crystal Chamber

Formations in the lower series below the excavated Lobster Pot

In the entrance passages

Smashed stal in Crystal Chamber

One of the other ways into Crystal Chamber

Tony Boycott entering Bishop's Chamber

Divers crossing Bishop's Chamber

The curious hole up to the Attics in Bishop's Chamber  

Near the Attics

The hole in the Attics

Floor detail in the Attics

Helictites in the Attics

Route from the Bear Pit to Crystal Chamber

Far side of the Well

Looking across the Deep Well

Entering the Flooded Rift

The Flooded Rift

 
   

Oxtongue Climb

Traversing round the Pit

Grand Gallery

View down Grand Gallery

The Lake in high water

View from the old diving platform

More view of the lake

Brian Johnson prepares to dive

Divers in the Lake (photo courtesy of PCG)

Jim Durston on the line junction at 25 metres

     

Surfacing in Prid 2

Aragonite on the walls in Prid 2

Straws in Prid 2

Stal cascades into the lake of Prid 2

View from the ledge above Prid 2 lake

 

View from the ledge above Prid 2 lake

View from the ledge above Prid 2 lake

View from the ledge above Prid 2 lake

On the ledge above Prid 2 lake

Ray Stead on the ledge above Prid 2 lake

On the ledge above Prid 2 lake

On the ledge above Prid 2 lake

On the ledge above Prid 2 lake

On the ledge above Prid 2 lake

 

 

 

The ANUS survey

Scottish Caving    (Animation)

Mendip Caves

Caves of the Forest of Dean

The ANUS survey