Excalibur Pot facts for kids

Excalibur Pot is a special natural cave found in the North York Moors area of England. It is the only big cave known in this region. The cave formed inside a type of rock called Corallian limestone, which is very old.

You can find the entrance to Excalibur Pot in the dry streambed of Hutton Beck. This spot is located between the villages of Hutton-le-Hole and Keldholme.

Exploring Excalibur Pot

What Makes Excalibur Pot Unique?

Excalibur Pot is quite special because it's the only large cave discovered so far in the North York Moors. Most of the rocks in this area don't usually form big caves. This cave gives scientists a chance to study how water moves underground in this unique landscape.

Inside the Cave

To get into the cave, you go down two short drops, called pitches. One is about 8 meters (26 feet) deep, and the other is 5 meters (16 feet) deep. These pitches lead you into a large open space called a chamber.

After the chamber, you'll find many smaller passages where water flows in. Then, you reach a main underground river, or streamway, by going down another 4-meter (13-foot) pitch.

Amazing Formations

Many parts of Excalibur Pot have beautiful rock formations. These are much more detailed and impressive than any other formations found in the North York Moors. They show how water has slowly shaped the cave over thousands of years.

Where Does the Water Go?

The water that flows through Excalibur Pot comes from different places in Hutton Beck. It sinks into the ground and travels through the cave. Eventually, this underground stream comes out of the ground again at a place called Bogg Hall Rising. This spot is in a nearby valley called Douthwaite Dale, close to Keldholme.

Other Entrances

Besides the main entrance, Excalibur Pot has two other ways to get in. Both of these are also connected to Hutton Beck. They are known as Jenga Pot and Secret Dig. These extra entrances show how big and connected the cave system is underground.