Caves have always fascinated me so I was excited to explore White Scar Cave in North Yorkshire. Hidden underground, caves possess an element of the unknown and this unknowingness has a way of capturing my imagination.
When David Attenborough explored caves in his Planet Earth series, it blew me away. With the aid of leading geologists, and an adventurous camera crew, the world’s most remote caves were brought straight to our television screens.
The documentary highlights the life of natural cave dwellers. From bats that live in the world’s highest caves, to the amphibians that have evolved to survive the most remote caves found deep underwater -it captured a world we rarely get to see.
My favourite part of the documentary included the discovery of Cueva de los Cristales (Cave of Crystals) in Mexico, a supernatural place that contains some of the world’s largest known natural crystals – translucent beams of gypsum as long as 36 feet growing in all directions.
The Cave of Crystals is formed from limestone rock, the same rock that makes up White Scar Caves in North Yorkshire, England. Unique formations of stalactites and stalagmites grow inside limestone caves over thousands of years and a visit to White Scar Caves enables you to walk among them.
The word Stalactite and stalagmite derives from the Greek word ‘stalassein’ which means ‘to drip’ – an appropriate name given their thin, spiral and sometimes creepy appearance!
Inside White Scar Cave - Guided Tour
White Scar Cave is the longest show cave in England. Upon entering you’re given a hard hat, which you soon learn would be foolish to be without. Every few minutes you’ll hear a thud and crash, the sound of someone in the tour forgetting to duck under the low passageways and cracking their head!
It was probably one of the only times I was happy to be short.
Not long after entering, you’ll arrive at the first waterfall. This underground waterfall is absolutely stunning and deserves a visit in its own right. After passing the waterfall, you’ll then enter Long’s Gallery which is a long corridor-like cave.
Given the age of the cave (approx. 350,000,000 years old), there are plenty of fossils embedded in the interior. Keep an eye out for crustacean fossils in the cave walls and ceiling.
Quirky Rock Formations
You’ll see bizarre rock formations that look as though they’re flowing from the ceiling like water.
These stalactites (hanging formations) occur when mineral-rich water drips from the ceiling and walls. As this water evaporates, it leaves behind mineral deposits. Over time, these formations grow and can merge to create stunning columns and other intricate structures.
It’s incredible to see so many naturally occurring shapes. I’m not sure I would call them pretty, but they do leave an impression, particularly with some resembling witch’s fingers and underwater sea creatures. Don’t miss the ghoulish formation called the ‘Devil’s Tongue’!
Battlefield Craven
The final park of the tour culminates at the UV lighted Battlefield Craven that showcases the slither-like stalactites. So thin, and delicate, it would be impossible to see them without being enhanced with UV light.
Would I recommend visiting White Scar Cave?
Absolutely!
As an adult it certainly captured my imagination, but I’m sure kids would love exploring this place even more – from both a visual point of view and educational. This place makes learning fun.
I found myself thinking that if I’d visited somewhere like this as a child, it might have given me an interest in geology. Who knows how that would have played out in school and later life?
When I travel now, I love searching for unique rock formations around the world.
Opening times
The cave is open daily from 10am. The only way to visit the caves is by guided tour.
Usually, the first tour of the day starts at 10:30am and the second tour is at 11am. Tours then run hourly until 3pm or 4pm. On weekdays, the last tour is usually at 3pm, and on the weekend the last tour is usually at 4pm.
It’s currently not possible to book a ticket online, instead, just need to rock up and purchase a ticket on arrival.
Due to changes in the weather, or other events that might impact the running of the tour, it’s also a good idea to check their website beforehand: www.whitescarcave.co.uk
Other places to visit nearby in North Yorkshire
From White Scar Cave, there are lots of other nearby attractions to explore. Check out my posts below:
- Exploring Ingleton Waterfall Trail (approx 15 min by car)
- Malham Cove in Pictures: Walking in North Yorkshire (approx 35 min away by car)
- Chasing My Childhood at Bolton Abbey (approx 55 min away by car)
4 Responses
What a fun experience! We love visiting caves too. I like how this one seems so well lit. Those Witch’s fingers are super cool formations.
With formations called ‘Witch’s fingers, ‘Devil Tongue’ and ‘The Squeeze’ your children would have the best time! Yeh the UV lighting really does highlight the straw stalactites nicely (the idea of using UV coloured lighting was taken from a cave in Spain!).
I find caves to be very interesting too! It is amazing to me what lies beneath our feet. Great pictures.
What lies beneath out feet is certainly full of wonder and mystery! I read your recent post about caves in Europe and the photograph of Domica Cave in Slovakia blew me away! Someday…. ahem.