treak cliff cavern

We visited the cavern after looking up the Blue John mines online. The path up to the cavern is rather steep but well worth the effort! We weren't expecting it to be busy as it was a weekday morning during term time but we found that it was a very popular day for school trips and reluctantly joined a class of primary school children on their tour. We had no need to worry, the tour guide was very good and obviously knew what she was talking about, and made sure she had time to come and talk to us and give us a bit more info. The cavern itself is amazing, could have spent much longer down there given the chance. The Blue John is really visible inside and the stalactites are also pretty spectacular!

Visited Treak Cliff with my 8 Year Old daughter. We have now seen all 4 of Castleton's Caverns and they all have their unique charm.Its a steady 25 minute uphill walk from the Centre of Castleton but you can park your car nearer if you should wish to.The Reception area is a somewhat Basic Affair but I hear it has some kind of preservation order on it. Building work was being carried out during our visit which will most probably enable the Cavern to display more about its Past, Present and Future.Katie was our Guide and she was approachable, well informed and a Star Trek Fan!The Cavern has some fascinating Natural Formations which are well lit up but quite understandably protected by a Wire Fence in places.Overall an enjoyable 40 Minute Tour.

We really enjoyed our trip down the Treak Cavern. Although the guided tour was quite short, the caverns were breathtakingly beautiful, and our guide was friendly, approachable and knowledgeable. I would have liked to have had the chance to learn even more, as it was such a fascinating place, perhaps more information in the visitor centre might be possible?Thank you for a lovely afternoon, I would definitely recommend a visit here!

We went to this cavern this afternoon which was very cold, bleak and wet!. There's a steep path and steps leading to a not very inviting reception area (it's being refurbished!) but what it lacked in first impressions it totally made up in the wonderful staff and the great welcome we received (and the best cup of tea I think I've ever had!!!). We were taken round by Katie who was so knowledgeable and friendly, she pointed out various things that she'd seen in the rock formations which we found very amusing. The cave is remarkable and I loved the way that the lights are put on the various exhibits as you get there which adds to the wow factor. All in all, a very interesting, amusing, incredibly beautiful thing to see. And huge thanks to Katie!

Treak Cliff Cavern - the clue is in the 'Cliff'. It is half way up a steep hill in the Peaks, with access via a flight of concrete steps. Initial entry to the Cavern itself is via a fairly low narrow tunnel (I'm 5' 7" and had to bend down) , and there are slopes and further flights of steps within the cavern. This is a mixture of old mine workings and natural caverns. Wookey Hole it isn't, and all the better for that, in my opinion.It is still an active mine; six miners work in teams of three, and also act as the guides. Extraction of the BlueJohn is limited in quantity by English Nature, and only mined over a couple of months of the year. This hillside is, after all, the only source of natural BlueJohn in the world.The guided tours last about 35-40 mins officially, and although I didn't time it, I'm sure ours was longer. Our guide, Ralph, was informative, and willing to answer any and all questions.We enjoyed our visit to the cavern, not least because it isn't over touristy, and it wasn't too busy visiting in February. Just under 10 each didn't seem extortionate at all. Mines aren't cheap places to operate.You actually exit the cavern higher than you go in. And a waterproof helps - you will get dripped on. It's a mine.

Our guide was v enthusiastic, kids aged 7 and 4, enjoyed it too, we asked to do stone polishing which the kids enjoyed, gift shop quite cheap too. Cafe being refurbished but can still get a drink. About £25 for family of 4, free for under 5s, a little pricey. Fun for an hour or two.

My son had his 8th birthday party here today. It as led by Kate who was fantastic, very engaging and patient with 11 questioned filled 8 year old boys! The hour tour was pitched just at their level and was both informative and exciting. They all loved having a chance to fly Harley the Harris Hawk. They all enjoyed polishing their own stone and got to take it home. There was plenty of space to have a party lunch. The party bags were full of great quality gifts. 2.5hr for £12 each, well worth it. My son thought it was fantastic - Thank you.

Held our sons birthday party here and everyone had a really great time. Brilliant trip down the cave, hawk flying was awesome and the kids really enjoyed the stone polishing. If you're expecting a slick shiny tourist attraction you may be a little disappointed but for a genuine experience with informed, friendly helpful staff its great.

Quite an interesting trip, but just found it very expensive for what it was, just short of £25 for two adults and a child for a visit that lasted about 40 minutes

When we saw the advertisement for Carols in the Treak Cliff Cavern, it would be assumed that one would hear carols sung by a small choir, and not one guy who cant sing with a squeeze box. Not worth the £10 at all. Also not suitable for disabled or elderly persons, which is not made clear anywhere. There is a disabled car park at the cavern, but im sure this is rarely used because once you arrive at the car park the steep steps become immediately obvious.

Well organised and worth experiencing, however a couple of changes would improve the event. A small brass band, one or two players and a small choir would be good. We found some of the carols were quietly sung, needed a choir to boost the volume levels

You have to like this place, Castleton is the only place in the world that you can get Blue John stone.....Imagine that. Wonderful insight.

Quite a shock when I stood at the bottom of the steps leading to the mine entrance not for the asthmatic, or anyone with mobility or health issues. This was not the only climb once inside a further substantial climb, through a narrow tunnel, upwards into the hill. Once there we all had a pleasant experience lots of nice singing, although it could have been another 15 minutes longer. Santa visited for the few children there. Leaving was easier through a side door out into the fresh air down a winding path for mincepies and mulled wine. Although I enjoyed my visit, due to the effort needed by this ageing traveller, I will not be doing it again.

This is the fifteenth year we have held our Carols By Candlelight event, usually well attended and thoroughly enjoyed. We don't get many disappointed customers for either the Carols or for the guided tours in the Cavern, but when we do it is usually the customers making incorrect assumptions, not asking enough questions and blaming us for circumstances and situations their poor attitude has created for themselves.I regret to say that all complaints about the Carols Event have been from those who call themselves 'senior citizens'.If you think you won't like it or can't cope with the natural Peak District countryside, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out information so you can make an informed decision. There is a wealth of information provided for potential visitors, all the leaflets have telephone numbers and the web address. There is a full Access Statement and Risk Assessment that says how many steps there are, how low the tunnels are etc, or you can ask us the questions. Many visitors, knowing their relatives physical limitations ask direct questions and decide against booking a ticket. WE do not consider it OUR place to tell people it is not suitable for them!!Ticket numbers are limited to 100 per event which the Candlelit Chamber can easily accommodate. The Mulled wine is made ourselves, heated not boiled, and the mince pies were from Tesco and warmed in the oven, just as you would do at home!!

I have visited most of the local caverns/mines this was a bit of both. Natural cave linked with mine workings. Visible on the tour stalagmites and tites! The best bit for me was seeing Blue John Veins and Crystal formations in the rock. Parking can be an issue there are places to park at the side of the road, these are chargeable at weekends. However pick a quiet day and you can get your car in a layby at the bottom of the steps. Worth looking before parking lower down cos you will be tired enough going up the steps without walking up the road as well.