Cresswell Crags - A wander around the Ice Age Caves and Limestone Gorge

Spring finally made an appearance this weekend in the UK. Yesterday, the Sun was shining and the temperatures reached a pleasant 15 degrees; so I took my better half and bump for a wander around Cresswell Crags.

Being very local to where we live, I was shocked to have never been here before, with my love for caving and exploring the underground world, I couldn't believe there was such a large cave system, and the history of the Ice age gorge was incredible...

We started off at the visitor centre after parking the car, we had a quick nosey around the gift shop before making a quick exit, choosing not to enter the museum due to a child's party taking place and absolute chaos unfolding within...

We focused on the walk ahead and took a quick look at the information board and map before heading around the ancient lake in a clockwise direction. As we were leaving the visitor centre, it appeared we had timed it so that we were following a guided tour of the caves. "We don't want this" I moaned to Jade (my better half). "Why?" She replied. "Well I wanna have a gander in the caves without paying" I laughed back.

We let the tour get some distance ahead whilst we checked out a few small adit entrances and a well, all gated and sealed from entry. I was in my element, Jade also picking up my enthusiasm and taking interest in my excitement.

Out came my trusty torch to peer past the gates into the darkness... It turned out there wasn't much to see and all the entrances were tightly sealed with gates, but undeterred by this, I carried on forwards, getting excited every time we approached another cave opening.

The weather was stunning, considering the week before was covered with snow and the temperatures sub zero. We came to the top end of the lake and the path broke off three ways. To the left, the path lead back around the top of the cliff. To the right, the path continued onward to Cresswell village or back around the right hand side of the lake.

We decided to take a quick look at the left hand path, and took a rest on a rock on the hillside overlooking the village and open fields. After a small rest we decided that this route was boring and turned around to return to the lakeside path. Many more cave openings awaited us on the return route to the car.

Each cave had an information plaque at its opening. Both of us were shocked at some of the archaeological findings in these caves. Hyena skulls, wolf teeth, lynx jaws and much more! All from creatures no longer native to our country.

As we passed the 3rd set of caves, the guided tour emerged from a large gated opening. "Have they just come out that one? They went in on the other side of the lake!" I questioned out loud. "Must have, do you want to come back one day and do the caves?" Jade asked looking at me and already knowing my answer. I didn't need to reply my face said it all!

We continued around the lake, peering into every gate to see if we could see any cave features from the openings. Unfortunately, all the good stuff requires the tour, so we shall be back once little man is born and a little more self aware.

We came to the final cave, our walk almost nearing it's end, this was one of the bigger openings and two biker chap's were already peering into the darkness. I stepped up at the side of the armed with my torch to peer in and assist the two men in also seeing further in. "You just want to get in there don't you lad?" One of the elderly men asked. "I do a bit of pot holing anyway, but yes I think we will return for the tour!" We spent the next 10 minutes or so speaking about the local cave systems and what was involved in delving deep underground. The two men seemingly very interested in my hobby but giving a clear indication that they didn't share my eagerness to enter the caves themselves.

We arrived back at the car, pleased with the walk and the history of our local area. I think it's safe to say I may have finally cracked my other half into taking an interest in what I love exploring. Maybe, just maybe, we may get her underground in the future once she isn't seven month's pregnant!

As always, I hope you enjoyed my latest explore, and if you did, please take a look at my other adventures HERE.