Poole's Cavern
Explore ancient limestone caves with stunning formations and a rich history, set within the beautiful Peak District National Park.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Poole's Cavern
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore ancient limestone caves with stunning formations and a rich history, set within the beautiful Peak District National Park.
"Our guide Anne was absolutely brilliant, making the cave gorgeous and truly fascinating!"
🧥 Wear Warm Layers
Cave is a cool 11.5°C year-round. Bring a jacket! :snowflake:
👟 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must for navigating the cave paths. :athletic_shoe:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Great Stalactite
Main Cavern Chamber
Marvel at the impressive natural formations, including the magnificent Great Stalactite, a testament to millennia of geological artistry.
Underground River
Flowing through the Cavern
Witness the power of water shaping the earth as you see the River Wye flowing through the limestone cave system.
Prehistoric Shelter
Cave Entrance
Imagine ancient hunters seeking refuge here over 5,000 years ago, a truly evocative glimpse into the past.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Peak Times
Dress for the Underground
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🧥 Wear Warm Layers
Cave is a cool 11.5°C year-round. Bring a jacket! :snowflake:
👟 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must for navigating the cave paths. :athletic_shoe:
🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun
Well-behaved dogs are welcome for a small fee! :dog:
📸 Capture the Atmosphere
The lighting is atmospheric, perfect for photos. :camerawithflash:
Tips
from all over the internet
🧥 Wear Warm Layers
Cave is a cool 11.5°C year-round. Bring a jacket! :snowflake:
👟 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must for navigating the cave paths. :athletic_shoe:
🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun
Well-behaved dogs are welcome for a small fee! :dog:
📸 Capture the Atmosphere
The lighting is atmospheric, perfect for photos. :camerawithflash:
⏳ Quick Visit Option
Can be explored in 20-30 mins if you're short on time. :stopwatch:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Poole's Cavern for its fascinating geological formations and the engaging, knowledgeable guides who make the tours memorable. The atmospheric lighting and the unique experience of exploring an ancient cave system are highlights. While generally positive, some reviews mention an unpleasant interaction with a guide, though this appears to be an isolated incident.
"Visited Poole’s Cavern yesterday and had a great experience. Our guide, Anne, was friendly, welcoming, and made the tour really engaging. She explained everything in an interesting and clear way, which made the visit even more enjoyable. Highly recommend!"
Daisy
"Our tour guide Anne was absolutely brilliant. She answered my children’s endless questions and was so knowledgeable and interesting. She made it very fun. The cave was gorgeous and truly fascinating."
Helen Jolly
"Brilliant experience! It’s really well laid out and the lighting is very atmospheric. Dog friendly too, for a quid. There are guides in there too with lots of info if you’re on a self-guided tour. Can walk through it in 20-30min if you’re in a rush."
Terence Sumpter
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Poole's Cavern is located in Buxton, Derbyshire. You can reach it by car, with parking available on-site. For those using public transport, the Peak Sightseer bus (Blue Route) offers hop-on, hop-off access from Chatsworth to Castleton, providing scenic views along the way.
Yes, parking is available on-site at Poole's Cavern.
Yes, the Peak Sightseer bus is a great option for car-free travel, offering scenic routes through the Peak District.
The Peak Sightseer bus is highly recommended for exploring the Peak District without a car, offering stunning views and convenient stops.
Yes, toilets are available on-site.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tickets can be purchased online or at the store. Entry is timed every 30 minutes.
It is recommended to book tickets online in advance, especially for weekends and holidays, to secure your preferred entry time.
Opening hours vary, and it's best to check the official website for the most up-to-date information. Special events like the Christmas Light Walk-Through have specific timings. 
Yes, guided tours are available and highly recommended. Guides like Anne have been praised for being friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging, making the experience fun for all ages.
Yes, Poole's Cavern is dog-friendly for a small fee, making it a great outing for pet owners.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Inside Poole's Cavern, you'll discover a naturally formed limestone cave system featuring stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and other fascinating geological formations. The cave is beautifully lit to enhance its atmospheric qualities.
A visit to Poole's Cavern can take around 30 minutes if you're in a rush, but you can easily spend longer exploring the cave and the surrounding park.
The temperature inside Poole's Cavern remains a consistent 11.5°C (52.7°F) year-round.
The cave has well-laid-out paths, but sturdy, closed-toe shoes are recommended for comfortable exploration.
Yes, the cave is fascinating for children, and guides are known to answer their questions enthusiastically. The surrounding park also offers space for exploration.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there is a lovely cafe on-site at Poole's Cavern that offers refreshments and has a wall decorated with Polaroids of visiting dogs.
Poole's Cavern is located within Buxton Country Park, which has picnic areas, making it a great spot for a packed lunch.
While specific menus aren't detailed, the cafe is noted for being lovely and dog-friendly, suggesting a range of refreshments.
Buxton, the nearby town, offers various dining options, from traditional pubs to cafes and restaurants.
You can bring your own food for a picnic in the surrounding Buxton Country Park.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed inside Poole's Cavern, and the atmospheric lighting makes for great shots.
The main cavern chambers with their stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the underground river, offer excellent photographic opportunities.
While not explicitly stated, it's always good practice to be mindful of other visitors and avoid using flash photography that might disrupt the cave's natural environment or other guests.
A camera with good low-light performance or a tripod can be beneficial for capturing the atmospheric lighting. However, many visitors capture great shots with just their smartphones.
Yes, the surrounding Buxton Country Park and Grinlow Woods offer beautiful natural scenery for photography, especially during autumn.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The surrounding Buxton Country Park offers space for kids to run around and enjoy the outdoors after their underground adventure. Consider packing a picnic to make a full day of it. The dog-friendly nature of the cavern is also a bonus for families with canine companions.
🚶♀️ Hikers and Nature Lovers
You can combine your cave visit with a hike to Solomon's Temple for stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The area is known for its beautiful scenery, making it ideal for a day of exploration. 🐶 Dog Owners
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Geology and History of Poole's Cavern
The geological formations within are truly spectacular, featuring a variety of stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (rising from the floor), created by the slow drip of mineral-rich water. Evidence suggests that prehistoric hunters used Poole's Cavern as a shelter over 5,000 years ago. Tools made from flint and stone, along with animal bones from wild boar and deer, have been discovered within the cave, offering a tangible link to our ancient ancestors.
The cave's name, Poole's Cavern, is thought to derive from a notorious highwayman named Poole who reputedly used the cave as a hideout. This blend of natural wonder and human history makes for a captivating visit.Beyond the cave itself, the surrounding Buxton Country Park and Grinlow Woods offer further exploration. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, picnic areas, and the chance to climb to Solomon's Temple on Grin Low Hill for panoramic views of Buxton and the Derbyshire countryside.
+1 The park provides a beautiful natural setting that complements the underground adventure.Experiencing Poole's Cavern: Tours and Atmosphere
Even if you're on a self-guided tour, there are guides available to provide information. The cave is described as 'very cool (literally and metaphorically),' with a pleasant temperature year-round.
Poole's Cavern also hosts special events, most notably the Christmas Light Walk-Through, which transforms the cave into a festive wonderland.
+1 These events are popular and offer a unique way to experience the cavern during the holiday season, often requiring advance booking.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit