W/L Cave facts for kids

Quick facts for kids W/L Cave
Location	Fairy Cave Quarry
OS grid	ST 6573 4753
Geology	Limestone

W/L Cave is a fascinating underground space located in the Mendip Hills of Somerset, England. It is part of the Fairy Cave Quarry group of caves. This area is known for its limestone, which is a type of rock where caves often form.

The cave sits between the villages of Stoke St Michael and Oakhill. It's a special place for cave explorers, also known as cavers.

Discovering W/L Cave

W/L Cave was first explored in the summer of 1967. It was discovered by two cavers, Bob Whitaker and Jerry Lavis. The cave's name, "W/L," comes from the first letters of their last names.

This discovery was very important. It was the first major cave found in the Fairy Cave Quarry after another important cave, Balch Cave, became difficult to access.

What's Inside W/L Cave?

Even though W/L Cave is not very long, it is incredibly beautiful. Inside, you can find many amazing rock formations. These are called speleothems or calcite formations. They are made of minerals that drip and grow over thousands of years.

The cave leads to a large room called Pink Pool Chamber. This chamber has a magnificent side grotto, which is like a small, decorated cave area.

Connecting the Cave Systems

W/L Cave plays a key role in the Fairy Cave Quarry cave system. Experts believe it is connected to the Balch Cave system. It also links Balch Cave to other caves in the quarry. These include Shatter Cave and Withyhill Cave.

The connection between these caves was proven by a special digging project. Cavers Pete Rose and Nick Chipchase worked on this project. They were part of the Cerberus Spelaeological Society. Their efforts helped show how these different underground passages are all linked together.

The Pink Pool Chamber in W/L Cave is connected to the first chamber in Shatter Cave. This link was created by the cavers, who carefully opened a narrow passage.