Top 4 Caves around Old Bolsover

The caves around Old Bolsover, particularly those at Creswell Crags, are renowned for their exceptional archaeological importance. They offer a unique window into prehistoric life in Britain, featuring the UK's only known Ice Age cave art and evidence of human occupation dating back over 12,000 years. Finds include flint tools, animal bones from woolly rhinos and bears, and early human remains.

Yes, Church Hole Cave at Creswell Crags is home to the UK's only known Ice Age cave art. To view it, you will need to book a guided tour, as access is restricted due to the delicate nature of the art and roosting bats.

Yes, Creswell Crags offers a family-friendly experience. The site includes a visitor centre with a museum displaying archaeological finds, and a mile-long path around a lake with views of the caves. Both Creswell Crags: Gorge and Lake and Robin Hood's Cave, Creswell Crags are highlighted as family-friendly.

The primary natural feature is the magnesian limestone gorge at Creswell Crags, which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. You'll find impressive rock formations, a scenic lake, and diverse flora and fauna. The Meden Trail and Magnesian Limestone Caves also offer picturesque views alongside the River Meden and through forested areas.

Beyond exploring the caves, the area around Old Bolsover offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking routes, such as the moderate Sutton Scarsdale Hall – Carr Vale Pond loop, or easy walks like the New Bolsover Model Village – Carr Vale Pond loop. There are also MTB trails and cycling routes available. For more details, explore the hiking, MTB, and cycling guides for Old Bolsover.

General access to the Creswell Crags site and its outdoor paths does not require a permit. However, to enter specific caves like Church Hole Cave or Robin Hood Cave for archaeological tours, you will need to book a guided tour through the Creswell Crags visitor centre. These tours often have limited availability and may require advance booking.

The caves and surrounding gorge at Creswell Crags can be visited year-round. However, guided tours into the caves, especially those with Ice Age art, might have seasonal availability due to factors like bat roosting. Visiting during spring or autumn offers pleasant weather for exploring the outdoor paths and gorge, while the visitor centre and museum are open in all seasons.

Yes, the caves are rich in archaeological discoveries. For example, Robin Hood's Cave yielded a bone engraved with a horse's head, dated between 11,000 and 13,000 years old. Mother Grundy's Parlour has revealed Neolithic remains, including a human burial and a child's skull, alongside Palaeolithic artifacts like flint instruments and bones of reindeer and woolly rhinoceros.

While the outdoor paths and gorge area at Creswell Crags are generally dog-friendly, specific restrictions may apply to entering the caves themselves or certain indoor facilities. It's always best to check with the Creswell Crags visitor centre directly for their most current pet policy before your visit.

For exploring the outdoor areas and gorge, comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as paths can be uneven. If you plan to take a guided cave tour, wear layers as cave temperatures can be cooler, and sturdy footwear is essential. Some tours may involve walking on damp or slippery surfaces.

Yes, there are cafes available at Creswell Crags itself, as well as at nearby Welbeck. The area around Old Bolsover also offers various pubs and cafes. For example, the tips for Creswell Crags: Gorge and Lake mention cafes at Welbeck and Creswell Crags.

In 2018, protective symbols, often referred to as 'witch marks,' were discovered in Robin Hood's Cave. These marks offer fascinating insights into early modern superstitions and beliefs, as they were carved to ward off evil. Guided tours at Creswell Crags often include discussions about these unique historical findings.