Jewellery, Nature and Wildlife

Treak Cliff Cavern

Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WP

Tel: 01433 620571

website: www.bluejohnstone.com

An exciting and educational few hours is guaranteed on a visit to Treak Cliff Cavern, an ancient underground wonderland in the heart of the Peak District National Park.

Treak Cliff Hill is the only place in the world where Blue John stone occurs naturally, and visitors will learn all about this mineral, a unique colour-banded form of fluorspar. (The generally accepted explanation of the name is that it derives from the French bleu et jaune - blue and yellow - which the Derbyshire folk adapted to Blue John.) Tour guides explain how miners in the 1750s constructed a tunnel with hand tools to reach the prized deposits inside the hill. Visitors will see veins of the stone across the cave roof and marvel at The Pillar, the largest piece ever found, and the fossils in the rocks. In the Witch's Cave richer deposits are revealed, before the tour goes deeper to other caves to show the wonders of underground limestone cave formations. The guide will explain where Blue John came from, how the caves were shaped by rushing water and how stalactites and stalagmites are formed - the most extraordinary of the former looks like a stork standing on one leg!

Back on the surface visitors can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee made with water collected from inside the cavern, or take in the marvellous views with a picnic they have brought along. The cavern is of international fame and geological importance and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. By agreement with English Nature all the deposits on the visitor route are preserved, but Blue John is regularly mined here in parts not seen by visitors. This is cut, polished and made into beautiful ornaments and jewellery which can be bought in the little shop at the cave entrance.

The Castleton Gift Shop, half a mile away in the centre of the village, displays a fine collection of antique and modern ornamental Blue John pieces, along with Blue John mineral specimens, as well as rocks, minerals and fossils from around the world.

The entrance to the Cavern lies on the east-facing slope of an ancient carboniferous reef laid down about 310 million years ago. The Cavern is open throughout the year, weather permitting, but times may vary, so it's best to call before setting out on a visit. All admissions are by guided tour. Children under 16 must be accompanied, dogs are allowed if on a lead. There is no wheelchair access. Polish Your Own Blue John Stone is an activity usually available in school holidays, when visitors can choose, prepare and polish a slice of Blue John to take home. Other activities include Carols by Candlelight at Christmas time.

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