Treak Cliff Cavern Field Trip

Field Trip to Treak Cliff Cavern and Castleton. We will head to Treak Cliff cavern in the peak district to see MVT mineralisation, then walk up to see a recent landslip which took out a road, then head into castleton. 

Meet at Charles Wilson Building at 8:45 am to set off at 9am by coach. The drive is about two hours, without a stop, but there is a toilet on the coach.

Arrive around 11ish then a self-guided tour around Treak Cliff Cavern in two groups and check out the gift shop and site information.

The cavern itself is formed from MVT mineralisation within a carboniferous limestone, so fossils can be seen throughout the cave for those who are interested. There are also many stalactites and stalagmites. There is an audio tour available for those who wish (downloadable on phones when we get there), which goes into more detail about some of the formation and old mining, but if you aren't interested in that, you are free to just observe.

Then we will take a 10-15 minute walk up to see where a landslip has taken out an old road, evidence for the impact of geology.

We will then walk 25-30 minutes into castleton, where people can buy lunch or eat packed lunch as lunch will not be provided. There are many lovely shops around castleton to check out which sell blue john (which will be seen in situ in the cavern) as jewellery or accessories. This shows how important local mineralisation is important to small towns and villages. "Castleton also sells great fudge" - Jake. 

People are free to wander around castleton but MUST meet at the meeting spot discussed on the day by 3:15, when we will set off back to Treak Cliff cavern again to be picked up at 4. We will then head back to Leicester, arriving around 6pm. Bring snacks or lunch or buy them in castleton. There will not be stops for the coach but again there will be a toilet on board. 

Adminy stuff: mind the weather and cavern advice in regards to clothing and footwear and use your own judgement. The walk is not particularly intense and is along a path, but if you will require accomodations such as change in timing let us know and we will see what we can do. Feel free to drive, though we have received funding from MinSouth to cover the coach fare, so trip cost can not be discounted. Tickets are available on the products page on the su website.

From the cavern website:

Clothing and footwear

The underground temperature is a constant 10°C (50°F) all year round so we advise that you wear suitable clothing. The cavern floor is constantly wet due to the natural underground environment; therefore suitable footwear must be worn within the underground area. Please be aware that the most ‘sensible’ footwear can cause an individual to slip.

Accessibility

Due to the natural contours of the hillside above and below ground, the cavern is not suitable for wheelchairs. Walking disabled can be accommodated. Please phone 01433 620571 or email us for further information to see how we can help. Our Risk Assessment also provides more detailed information.

For any queries, email Jake at jo217@student.le.ac.uk or su-economicgeologists@leicester.ac.uk and one of us will respond.