KNOCK FELL CAVERNS

Knock Fell Caverns is one of the most unusual cave systems in the United Kingdom. High up in the Cumbrian fells only a few yards from the Pennine Way Knock Fell Caverns is an fine example of a hypogenic cave. They were formed by the fracturing of limestone as well as the action of water and it's location well above the water table means that there is very little water here, indeed the caverns can be visited in any weather as long as the 25' (8m) entrance shaft (below) is not blocked by snow. The map (left) gives the impression that the caverns are man-made through mining and one of the unusual aspects of a trip into Knock Fell Caverns is that there is no one goal of either "bottoming" the cave or compleating a through trip. In spite of the dry nature of the caverns there are a number of formations in parts of the cave as some water does percolate through from the surface. Other hypogenic caves are being discovered here in the North Pennines.

WARNING! Due to the extreme complex nature of Knock Fell Caverns a good survey and a compass is essential as there is a real danger of getting lost in the 3 miles (over 4½km) of passage. The survey shown here is for illustrative purposes only and is not adequate for a trip into the caverns. The full survey by the Gritstone Club is available for download from the Cavemaps website at: http://cavemaps.org/surveys/gc/full/GC%20J85%20Knock%20Fell%20Caverns.png.
Permission is required to visit Knock Fell Caverns as the cave is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is on the Moor House Nature Reserve. Write to: Widdybank Farm, Langdon Beck, Forest in Teesdale, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 0HQ.

Entrance shaft, Knock Fell Caverns	A good survey and compass is essential	A typical Knock Fell Caverns passage
Stalactites in Knock Fell Caverns	Chamber in Knock Fell Caverns	Formations in Knock Fell Caverns
"Organ pipe" formations	A classic example of a Knock Fell passage	Click on the image for a simplified survey

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