White Scar Caves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White Scar Caves |
|
|---|---|
Formations in the show cave
|
|
| Location | Chapel-le-Dale, North Yorkshire, England |
| OS grid | SD 7128 7452 |
| Length | 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) |
| Elevation | 259 metres (850 ft) |
| Discovery | 1923 |
| Geology | Carboniferous limestone |
| Entrances | 2 |
| Hazards | Water |
| Access | Show cave |
| Show cave opened | Opened 1925 |
| Show cave length | 1,600 metres (1,700 yd) |
| Cave survey | cavemaps.org |
White Scar Caves is a famous show cave located in North Yorkshire, England. It lies beneath the large mountain Ingleborough, within the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. This amazing cave system was formed naturally in limestone rock. It is about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) long.
This cave is a type called a "solutional resurgence cave." This means it was created by water dissolving the rock. Water also flows out of the cave like a spring.
Contents
Exploring White Scar Caves
White Scar Caves was first explored in August 1923. Two amateur geologists, Christopher Long and J.H. Churchill, were the first to venture inside. They were curious about the hidden passages.
Discovering New Areas
Since that first trip, more parts of the cave have been found. One of the most exciting discoveries is a huge chamber called The Battlefield. This chamber is about 90 meters (295 feet) long. It is one of the biggest known cave rooms in Great Britain.
How Visitors See The Battlefield
Originally, explorers had to squeeze through a tight, rocky opening to reach The Battlefield. But for visitors, a special tunnel was dug. This tunnel makes it easy for everyone to see this impressive part of the cave.
Visiting the Show Cave
White Scar Caves is open to the public as a show cave. A show cave is a cave that has been made safe and easy for people to visit. It has paths, lighting, and guides.
Where to Find the Entrance
The entrance to the cave is on the road between Ribblehead and Ingleton. This road is on the west side of Ingleborough mountain.
When Can You Visit?
Tours are available throughout the year. This means you can visit White Scar Caves in any season.
What Else is There?
When you visit, you'll find more than just the cave. There are also visitor facilities. These include a shop where you can buy souvenirs. There is also a café where you can get food and drinks.
