Poole's Cavern

Poole's Cavern or Poole's Hole is a 2 million year old, [http://www.poolescavern.co.uk/PCintro.html] natural limestone cave south of Buxton in the Peak District, in the county of Derbyshire, England. A natural cavern, it forms part of the Wye system, and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. [ [http://www.english-nature.gov.uk/special/sssi/unit_details.cfm?situnt_id=1011312 English Nature: Poole's Cavern and Grin Low Wood] ] The name derives from an outlaw, Poole, who reputedly used cave as a lair and a base to rob travellers in the fifteenth century. [ [http://www.english-nature.gov.uk/special/sssi/unit_details.cfm?situnt_id=1011312 Richard J. Huggett Fundamentals of Geomorphology] ] [ [http://www.showcaves.com/english/gb/showcaves/PoolesOldham.html Oldham, T. (2002) History of Poole's Cavern] ] Archeological explorations in 1981 and 1983 have suggested that the cave was occupied from the Bronze Age. Some of the finds have been interpreted as suggesting that one of the chambers was used for religious purposes by Romano-Britons; an alternative explanation is that the cave was a metal-workers' workshop. [ [http://www.leicester.ac.uk/ar/research/projects/eastmidsfw/pdfs/21derrom.pdf Myers A. An archaeological resource assessment of Roman Derbyshire. The East Midlands Archaeological Research Framework Project] ]

Officially opened as a show cave in 1853 by the 6th Duke of Devonshire, the cave was already a tourist attraction, being listed as one of the Wonders of the Peak by Charles Cotton in 1683. Mary Queen of Scots is claimed to have been an early visitor. Under the management of the Duke's overseer, Frank Redfern, the entrance was widened and, in 1859, a system of gas lamps was installed to light the caverns (one of the earliest uses of gas in this context), which remained in use until the cave closed in 1965. It reopened in 1976.

The region currently open to the public is around 310 m in length, and includes chambers named the Roman Chamber, Great Dome, Poached Egg Chamber and Sculpture Chamber. Features of interest include large stalactites/stalagmites called the 'Flitch of Bacon' and 'Mary Queen of Scots' Pillar', as well as stalagmites with a porous texture and 'poached egg' colour, which has been attributed to minerals leached from lime-burning on Grin Low above.Ford, TD. "Rocks & Scenery of the Peak District". Landmark Publishing, 2002] Part of the cavern is accessible to wheelchairs. The cave system is believed to extend further, but has not been explored. [ [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mtKvnPNNKTcC&pg=PA11 "Natural Curiosities of Derbyshire"] , in: "The Every-day Book and Table Book; or, Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs, and Events, Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Days, in Past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Months, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac, Including Accounts of the Weather, Rules for Health and Conduct, Remarkable and Important Anecdotes, Facts, and Notices, in Chronology, Antiquities, Topography, Biography, Natural History, Art, Science, and General Literature; Derived from the Most Authentic Sources, and Valuable Original Communication, with Poetical Elucidations, for Daily Use and Diversion. Vol III.", ed. William Hone, (London: 1838) p 11-16. Retrieved on 2008-06-24.]

References

External links

* [http://www.poolescavern.co.uk/ Poole's Cavern website]