William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust

What it’s like

Guided walks into a real cave to see bones from animals that lived up to 120,000 years ago.

Joint Mitnor Cave is the reason to come. A guide takes you in to see the bones of animals that died there between 120,000 and 80,000 years ago, which is a properly strange thing to be looking at on a Tuesday afternoon. There's a museum and a bookstall too, so if the weather turns you're not just stood in a car park waiting for your slot.

It suits kids from about 5 up, old enough to handle a guided walk underground without needing carrying the whole way. Reckon on about two hours for the visit, guide and all, which feels about right before anyone starts asking when lunch is.

If you fancy something a bit different, they run evening bat walks too, though those need booking online in advance and only take 20 people at a time. Day walks are a bit more relaxed, up to 30 people, and you can often just turn up if there's space, though booking ahead is the safer bet if you've driven any distance.

One thing worth knowing before you go: it's not wheelchair accessible. The quarry and cave access just doesn't work for wheelchair users, so it's not a visit you can do if that's a factor for your group.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Ages 5 and up, once they can manage a guided cave walk

Booking

Online pre-booking required for bat walks (limited to 20 per walk)

How long to allow

About 2 hours

Wheelchairs

Not accessible. Quarry and cave access not possible for wheelchair users

• Bat walks happen in the evening and are limited to 20 people, so book those ahead
• Day walks allow walk-ins if there's space, up to 30 people
• There's a museum and bookstall on site to browse before or after your walk

Plan your visit

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