Poole's Cavern facts for kids
Poole's Cavern, also known as Poole's Hole, is an amazing natural limestone cave. It is very old, about two million years old! You can find it near Buxton in the beautiful Peak District area of Derbyshire, England. This cave is part of the Wye River system. It is so special that it has been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it is protected for its unique nature.
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A Look Back in Time
Who Was Poole?
The cave gets its name from an old story about an outlaw named Poole. An outlaw was someone who lived outside the law, like a bandit. People say Poole used the cave as a secret hideout. From here, he would rob travelers back in the 1400s.
Ancient Visitors
Scientists have explored the cave in recent times, in 1981 and 1983. They found clues that show people lived in the cave a very long time ago. Some of these clues are from the Bronze Age. Other finds suggest that one part of the cave might have been used for religious ceremonies by people from Roman Britain. Another idea is that it was a workshop for people who worked with metal.
A Popular Place to Visit
Poole's Cavern officially opened as a "show cave" in 1853. This means it was set up for people to visit and explore. The Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish, opened it. But even before that, the cave was a popular spot for tourists. In 1683, a writer named Charles Cotton listed it as one of the "Wonders of the Peak."
In the early days, some tour guides would try to get extra money from visitors. They would threaten to turn off the lights and leave people in the dark! It is even said that Mary, Queen of Scots visited the cave a long time ago.
Frank Redfern, who worked for the Duke, helped make the cave better for visitors. He made the entrance wider. In 1859, a system of gas lamps was put in to light up the caverns. This was one of the first times gas was used to light a cave! These lights were used until the cave closed in 1965. Luckily, it reopened in 1976 for everyone to enjoy again.
Exploring the Cave
What You Can See
The part of Poole's Cavern that you can visit is about 310 meters (1,017 feet) long. Inside, you will find different rooms, or "chambers." Some of these are called the Roman Chamber, the Great Dome, the Poached Egg Chamber, and the Sculpture Chamber.
You will see amazing rock formations called stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites hang down from the ceiling, and stalagmites grow up from the floor. Two famous ones are called the Flitch of Bacon and Mary Queen of Scots' Pillar. You can also see stalagmites that look like "poached eggs." They have a special color and texture. This is because of minerals that came from burning lime on a hill above the cave called Grin Low.
Part of the cavern is easy to get around in, even if you use a wheelchair.
Beyond the Known Paths
Scientists believe the cave system goes even further. However, these parts have not been explored yet. In 1998, a video camera was lowered into a deep hole. It showed that there was another chamber, which they called "Seventh Heaven."
When you visit, there is also a visitor center. It has a cafe where you can get a snack and a shop where you can buy souvenirs.
