Stump Cross Caverns facts for kids
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Stump Cross Caverns is an amazing system of limestone caves found between two valleys, Wharfedale and Nidderdale, in North Yorkshire, England. It's a cool place to explore and learn about the Earth's history!
Where are the Stump Cross Caverns?
The Stump Cross Caverns are hidden deep under a hill called Greenhow. This spot is about 1,275 feet (389 m) above sea level. The caves got their name from an old stone marker called Stump Cross. This marker used to show the edge of the ancient Forest of Knaresborough.
Exploring the Caves
The area above the caves is mostly open moorland. The closest towns are Pateley Bridge and Grassington. About one mile of the caves is open for people to visit. But the whole cave system is much bigger! It stretches for more than 4 miles (6 km), and parts of it are still a mystery, waiting to be explored.
How the Caves Formed
The caves are in a region full of limestone. This type of rock stretches from Wharfedale all the way to Greenhow. Limestone is a soft rock that water can slowly dissolve over many, many years. This is how caves like Stump Cross are created. People have even mined for lead in this area since the time of the Roman Empire.
The History of Stump Cross Caverns
Scientists believe these incredible caves started forming about 500,000 years ago. But the process began even earlier, when this whole region was covered by an ocean!
Discovery of the Caves
The caves were first found in January 1860. Two miners, William and Mark Newbould, discovered them. They were looking for lead in the Yorkshire Dales when they stumbled upon the entrance. Some records say they might have found them in 1858. By 1867, explorers had already mapped out about 1,100 yards (1,000 m) of the caves.
Later Explorations and Discoveries
In 1922, a student named Christopher Long explored the caves more deeply. He found amazing stalactites that were many different colors. This showed that they had minerals like iron and lead inside them. Long also said he found an underground lake. But he reportedly sealed its entrance when the cave owners wouldn't share their tourism money with him.
Stump Cross Caverns as a Tourist Spot
The caverns were sold in 1926 to Septimus Wray for £400. His son-in-law, Harry Deane Hornby, started running them. Later, Septimus Wray's grandson, George Gill, took over. He added electric lights and worked hard to make the caves a popular place for tourists. His family owned the caves until 2003.
In 1963, a man named Geoffrey Workman spent 105 days living inside the caves! This was a world record at the time. He did it as part of a study to see how being isolated affects the human body. Over the years, Stump Cross Caverns grew into a big tourist spot. It got an information center, a gift shop, and even a small house for the owners.
Recent Times
The caves were given a special status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means they are protected because of their unique natural features. In 2000, the Reindeer Cave section was opened to the public. In 2001, the caves were affected by clean-up efforts during the 2001 United Kingdom foot-and-mouth outbreak. By 2003, over 60,000 people visited the caves each year! That same year, the owner, Gordon Hanley, put the caves up for sale for £675,000.
The Bowerman family bought the caves. They also own a company that makes beer, and in 2008, they even released a special ale named after Stump Cross!
Amazing Fossil Discoveries
Many cool fossils have been found inside the Stump Cross cave system. These fossils give us clues about animals that lived here long, long ago.
Reindeer and Wolverine Fossils
When the caves were first discovered, the miners found four almost complete reindeer fossils. They also found a smaller skeleton, which they thought was an unborn reindeer. These amazing finds have since been carefully put back together.
Christopher Long's exploration in 1922 also uncovered more ancient reindeer bones. He even found bones from wolverines! Today, you can see the wolverine bones on display at the visitor center. Bison remains have also been found in the caves.
