Thrupe Lane Swallet facts for kids

Thrupe Lane Swallet is a fascinating cave system located in Somerset, England. It's a very important natural site, officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means the area is protected because of its unique geological features. It was given this special status in 1992.

The name "Thrupe Lane" comes from a small village nearby called Thrupe. In old Anglo-Saxon times, "Thrupe" meant "dairy farm."

Exploring Thrupe Lane Swallet

Thrupe Lane Swallet is a type of cave called a swallet. A swallet is a place where a stream or river disappears underground into a cave system. This particular swallet is a small cave, but it's very deep.

Inside the Cave

The cave system is mostly made up of deep, vertical passages. These passages follow natural cracks in the rock, like fault lines and mineral veins. The cave is 117 metres (about 384 feet) deep. It shows a special way that caves can form, which is not seen in other caves in the Mendip Hills.

Atlas Pot: A Deep Drop

One of the most amazing parts of Thrupe Lane Swallet is a section called Atlas Pot. This is the tallest vertical shaft in any known cave in the Mendip Hills. It drops an incredible 60 metres (about 197 feet) straight down!

Water's Journey

The water that flows through Thrupe Lane Swallet doesn't just disappear forever. It's part of a larger underground water system. This stream eventually feeds into St Andrew's Wells. These wells are located in the beautiful grounds of the Bishop's Palace in the city of Wells.

Discovering the Cave

People first entered Thrupe Lane Swallet in 1974. It took a lot of effort from three different caving groups to get inside. They had to do some careful digging to open up the entrance. This made sure the entrance was safe and stable for future exploration.