Self-Guided Audio Tour

Treak Cliff Cavern is a genuine wonder in the heart of the Peak District. Treak Cliff Hill is the only place in the world where Blue John Stone occurs naturally.
The self-guided audio tour will explain how Blue John Stone was formed, miners in the 1750s constructed a tunnel using only hand tools to reach the Blue John Stone deposits within the hill, and you will see incredible veins of the stone across the cavern roof and hear about the recent discovery of the ‘lost vein’ of Blue John Stone that had been hidden for almost 70 years. Your audio-guide will point out fossils in the limestone rock which formed the hillside above you some 330 million years ago. The tour descends deeper into the hill where you will experience the water worn chambers of natural limestone cavern formations. Multi-coloured flowstone adorns the walls of Aladdin’s Cave. We also have some of the finest stalactites in the Peak District that decorate Fairyland and the Dream Cave. The most famous formation being “The Stork”.  The walking tour lasts around 45 minutes and you can stop and take photographs and go at your own pace. As you come out of the Cavern the view of Castleton and the Hope Valley stretches for 10 miles in front of you. Our small museum houses a wealth of historic Blue John Stone treasures collected by the owners, and displayed for everyone to enjoy. Discover more about the formation and history of the Cavern and the family who care for it today. You can browse our shop to choose Blue John jewellery, and items made in our onsite workshops, or choose rocks and minerals from all over the world!
Our Café hatch serves hot & cold drinks and snacks.
Children aged 4 and under are free. 
Be aware we are on a steep hillside so there is no wheelchair access to or inside the Cavern, and some areas underground are low and narrow. At least ONE adult (18+) must be present for insurance policies, so please only book if there is an adult in your party. We look forward to welcoming you!
We have Activity sheets for children, for different age groups to help them enjoy the cavern too.
 

Itinerary:

Before you arrive, please download the Treak Cliff Cavern app.

All Cavern tours are self led.
The Cavern tour is approximately 45 minutes.
The temperature underground is a constant 11° centigrade/ 52° Fahrenheit 
There are 196 steps in the Cavern with no more than 30 in one place.
There are low and narrow points with the lowest being 4 foot 6 (137cm) in the entrance tunnel.
Dogs are welcome in the visitor centre and the Cavern but must be on a short lead and under control at all times.
Allow plenty of time to travel and park in Castleton, especially so at weekends and school holidays.
We are not connected to a mains water supply, so may have no toilet facilities at the cavern.
The Early Bird ticket prices are an online discount.
Dates are denoted on the booking page with a green dot which shows the discount is available and the reduced price is clearly shown.
These prices are not available at the cavern entrance for walk in visitors. Please note: If you are late for your slot we will endeavour to get you in to the cavern on the next available slot, although patrons will be expected to pay the full admission price if this after 10:55.
 
Inclusions
What's Included
📋 Other - Self-guided audio tour (using your own Smart phone)
 
What you'll need
🧤 Warm Clothing - The temperature inside the Cavern is a constant 11 degrees centigrade.
☂️ Waterproofs - Water drips from the cavern ceilings all the time, but you should dress for the weather conditions, the entrance is on a steep exposed hillside, 5 minutes walk from the car park.
📋 Other - Suitable footwear, Your smartphone or tablet fully charged ready to download our App for the audio tour if you haven't already downloaded it. You may want to bring a portable power bank and headphones.