Treak Cliff cavern is an underground Wonderland of Stalactites, Stalagmites,
Rocks Minerals and Fossils. It is also home to Blue John Stone,
a rare form of Fluorite with beautiful colours. Popular as an ornamental
stone and mined for 300 years, one of the largest pieces ever found is
still in situ called The Pillar. The Blue John Stone in Treak Cliff Cavern
can be seen all around the walls and roof of the Witch's Cave. The guided
tour takes you deeper underground to see multi-coloured flowstone adorning
the walls of Aladdin's Cave, and further on you can experience the wonder
of the stalactites and stalagmites in Fairyland and the Dream Cave. The
most famous formation is 'The Stork', standing on one leg.
The traditional methods of turning Blue John are still used, and the
skill of our craftsmen working in the Original Blue John craft shop in
the village of Castleton enable the visitor to view this unique stone
at its best.
Hope Valley Visitor Attractions
Treak Cliff Cavern is an excellent educational resource currently used
by hundreds of teachers to deliver many aspects of the geography curriculum,
across all Key Stages. We are centrally located within the Peak
District National Park at Castleton, Derbyshire, easy to get
to and easy to find.
We have some of the finest stalactites and stalagmites in the Peak District
with wonderful water worn chambers, ideal for studying the water cycle,
limestone and other materials, etc.
Our deposits of Blue John Stone are unrivalled, combined with many other
minerals and fossils that children can see and touch. Our rural location
also offers opportunities to study contrasting landscapes at the same
time.
