Last updated on November 4th, 2024 at 07:00 pm
Are you looking for more information on visiting Treak Cliff Cavern, one of the most famous caves in the UK?
Read on for our guide to Treak Cliff Cavern, one of the best Castleton attractions and in our opinion the best of the Castleton Blue John caves.
We loved our visit to Treak Cliff Cavern, part of our stay in Derbyshire. Treak Cliff Cavern is one of the best places (if not THE best place) to see Blue John Stone (see below for more info) in its natural environment. It’s been mined at Treak Cliff for more than 300 years. It continues to be mined here and Treak Cliff Cavern is a family business, with a workshop and shop on site.
In addition to Treak Cliff Cavern, we have plenty of other recommendations for fun things to do in Derbyshire for families at The Family Conscience.
How to get to Treak Cliff Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern Parking
Treak Cliff Cavern is on Buxton Road in the village of Castleton in Derbyshire, England.
The best way to reach Treak Cliff Cavern is by car. There is plenty of free parking on Buxton Road, outside or near the cave. You can also walk from the village of Castleton (approximately 15 minutes).
There are buses that go to Castleton from Bakewell or Buxton in Derbyshire. Information relating to buses in Derbyshire can be found HERE.
Hope Valley train station is the closest rail station to Treak Cliff Cavern and it’s around two miles away.
Treak Cliff Cavern Address: Buxton Road, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WP.
There’s a steep snaking path and steps up to Treak Cliff Cavern from the roadside. It’ll take you five to ten minutes to reach the top – but you may want to stop to read the information boards along the way and enjoy the views (as well as take a breather).
Opening Times and Treak Cliff Cavern Tickets
The cave is open year-round, every day apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
From November to February, opening times are 10 am until 4 pm (the last tour/ entry to the cave is 3 pm).
From March to October, Treak Cliff Cavern is open from 9.30 am until 5 pm (the last tour/ entry to the cave is 4 pm).
The cafe is open between 10 am and 4 pm.
You can purchase tickets in the shop when you arrive or in advance online. There is no difference in the prices and they are as follows:
Adult (including seniors) ยฃ15
Student (with ID) ยฃ12
Child (5 to 17 yrs) ยฃ8
Children under 4 years old go free
Family tickets are ยฃ48.
You can also book ‘Early Bird cavern admissions’ (only online) for entry to the cave between 9.30 am and 10.50 am. These prices are:
Adult (including seniors) ยฃ12
Student ยฃ10
Child (5 to 7 yrs) ยฃ7
When we visited, it was quiet and we could enter the cave as soon as we were ready. At other times, if you’re waiting to purchase your ticket at the cavern, you may have to wait for a while if the cave is already quite full.
The cavern entrance is through black double doors with a purple sign in the shop.
What To Do at Treak Cliff Cavern
- Audio Guide & Self-Guided Tour
- The Blue John Experience/ Activities
- Museum
- Gift Shop
- Cafe
Tour of the Cave and Self-Guided Tour
Tours of Treak Cliff Cavern are self-guided (different from the caves at the Heights of Abraham). You’ll need to download the Treak Cliff Cavern app on your smartphone (only one of you needs to do this if you’re going to listen to it on your phone’s speaker). You can download the Treak Cliff Cavern app from their website prior to your tour (HERE) – or when you arrive. It’s best to do it beforehand, in case you have any wi-fi issues.
The audio guide is narrated by a member of the Harrison family (one of the families, alongside the Turners, who have owned the caves for generations). There’s lots of information on the audio guide and it’s separated into sections which you listen to as you make your way through different parts of the cave.
Expect your tour with the audio guide to last around 45 minutes.
Treak Cliff Cavern is particularly impressive as, compared to some of the other Blue John caves in the area, it probably has the largest amount of Blue John stone visible for you to see.
What is Blue John Stone? Blue John stone is a semi-precious gemstone found only in Derbyshire. It’s a form of calcium fluorite and has distinctive blue, purple and yellow bands running through it. Its name comes from the French ‘bleu jaune’ which means ‘blue yellow’. Over time it came to be known by locals as ‘blue john’.
There are some fantastic fossils in the ceiling near the beginning of your tour plus an example of a lampenflora (a fern growing inside the cave). Look out for impressive stalactites and stalagmites in the last sections of the cave. All are signalled in the audio guide.
There are some fun bits to spot – including ‘The Seven Dwarves’. These are a collection of stalagmites on a large boulder in a section called ‘Aladdin’s Cave’.
Take a moment to enjoy the view over the Derwent Valley when you exit the cave, and then head down the path back towards the shop.
The Blue John Experience: Make Your Own Jewellery
The Blue John Experience is only available during the months of January, February and March (you can book ahead for 2025 HERE). It’s a hands-on experience in which you go into the caves (under supervision) to source and extract your very own piece of Blue John stone.
Once found, you’ll work with the Treak Cliff Cavern craftsmen in their workshop to polish your stone and potentially turn it into a piece of jewellery.
Bring warm and waterproof clothing. Overalls and other equipment will be provided.
Also available is a ‘Polish Your Own Blue John’ activity (only available during school holidays) which is great for kids. Choose a piece of Blue John Stone and polish it to take home and keep.
Museum, Gift Shop and Cafe
The museum is small but really worth exploring. It shares the history of the cavern and of the families who now own it. There are lots of beautiful items made of Blue John stone on display.
The cafe is also small but offers hot drinks and snacks if you’re looking for them.
What to Wear on the Tour of the Cave
The temperature of the cave sits at a consistent 10 degrees Celsius. Depending on when you’re visiting, this is likely to be similar to the temperature outside (as was the case for us) or considerably cooler.
If you’re visiting in summer, make sure you take a sweater to put on when you go into the cave. You’ll also need decent walking shoes or sports shoes as the cave floor can be uneven, steep and slippery in parts.
What Else to Do in the Area
If you’re visiting Treak Cliff Cavern, you’re in luck as there are a couple of other fantastic Castleton activities to add to your itinerary for the day.
Treak Cliff Cavern to Mam Tor
Mam Tor is one of the most famous and popular walks in the Peak District, known for its beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the Edale Valley and the Hope Valley.
The name “Mam Tor” means “Mother Hill,”. It stands at 517 meters (1,696 feet) above sea level and is one of the most distinctive landmarks in the area.
The best place to start your walk is from the National Trust car park at Mam Nick. It does get very busy in the summer months.
Address for Mam Nick car park: National Trust, Mam Nick, Rushup Edge, Castleton
S33 8WA
There’s a footpath from the car park leading to the summit.
The ascent to the summit of Mam Tor is relatively easy and well-marked. There are large slabs of stone which provide a pathway to the top and down again. From the top, you’ll be able to see the Great Ridge, including Lose Hill and Back Tor to the east, and all the valleys below.
You can complete a circular walk back to Mam Nick car park – follow this National Trust Guide to make sure you’re on the right track.
The Mam Tor walk is suitable for walkers of all abilities. However, it’s essential to wear appropriate footwear (it was pretty muddy when we went).
Access from Treak Cliff Cavern: there’s a pathway to the right of the shop and cafe, which will take you to Mam Tor. You can use this as your access point after you’ve visited Treak Cliff Cavern.
Treak Cliff Cavern has also put together a leaflet for walkers who want to explore the area, and other Blue John caves nearby too. It’s called ‘The Castleton Caverns Trail’ and you can pick it up from the Castleton Visitor Centre (by the main car park in the village).
Afternoon Tea in Castleton
Castleton is one of the prettiest villages in the Peak District. Its main street is lined with stone cottages, shops and tea rooms. It’s a lovely place to stop and take a breather – for lunch or afternoon tea. We’d recommend Tilly’s of Castleton – they do great all-day breakfasts and a lovely afternoon tea (you just have to have afternoon tea in Derbyshire)! There’s no shortage of Castleton cafes, however, if you can’t find a table there.
FAQ
Can you take a pram or wheelchair into Treak Cliff Cavern?
As the cave floor is uneven and steep in parts, and there are a number of steps, it’s not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Accommodations can be made for those who need support. Call the following number to discuss your needs: 01433 620571.
Can you take dogs into Treak Cliff Cavern?
Yes! Happily, dogs are welcome at Treak Cliff Cavern – as long as you keep them on a lead. Our dog loved exploring Treak Cliff Cavern!
Which is better Blue John Cavern or Treak Cliff?
The caves all have their own charm, however, Treak Cliff Cavern has the largest amount of visible blue john stone – so our recommendation, if you only have time to visit one of the blue john caves, is to make it Treak Cliff Cavern.
Which other Derbyshire Caverns should we visit?
There are a number of Peak District caves you can visit while in Derbyshire. There are 4 Castleton Blue John caves. These are Treak Cliff, Blue John, Speedwell and Peak Cavern. In addition to the Castleton caves, there are are some other great caves in the Peak District you should visit. These include the show caves at the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath and Pooles Cavern in Buxton.
How long is the tour of Treak Cliff Cavern?
The self-guided audio tour of Treak Cliff Cavern is around 45 minutes long (maybe a little less or more, depending on how quick you are to make your way around the cave). You’ll want to allow some time to explore the shop (which has lots of great crystals, as well as blue john jewellery), and have a look around the small museum.
What is the deepest cave in the Peak District?
The deepest cave in the Peak District is actually Titan Cave, at approximately 141 meters deep. Due to its depth and the fact it’s a bit more tricky to navigate, it’s probably more suited to experienced cavers.
Is Blue John Stone expensive?
Blue John is now considered quite a rare stone, as it’s only found in Derbyshire and there are limited amounts left. It’s certainly the most expensive fluorite you can buy. There are quite a few shops in the Derbyshire area (particularly in Castleton) selling items made of or containing Blue John stone. There’s also a selection of blue john jewellery in the shop at the Heights of Abraham.
However, I found the shop at Treak Cliff Cavern to offer some of the most reasonably priced Blue John stone jewellery. Plus, it’s all sourced from their cave, and made in their on-site workshop. I bought a lovely necklace from the Treak Cliff Cavern shop and one of the owners was able to tell me (roughly) from where in the cave it had come!
Final Verdict: Is Treak Cliff Cavern worth it?
Treak Cliff Cavern is definitely worth visiting. Our visit there was one of our favourite things to do in Derbyshire. It’s family (and dog) friendly and is also a great option when the weather’s not cooperating!
It’s something that can be combined well with a walk to Mam Tor. Plus, nearby Castleton village is lovely, and a great place to stop for lunch or afternoon tea.
Our tip is to book the early bird tickets at a discounted rate, then follow the path to the right of the shop up to Mam Tor, coming back to the village of Castleton for a bite to eat afterwards.
