Step into the story of Poole’s Cavern in a way that’s entirely your own with our new app-based audio guide, designed to put you at the centre of the story. As you move through vast underground chambers and dramatic rock formations, the app brings the cavern to life with immersive audio, and fascinating insights, transforming each stop into a moment of discovery. Whether you’re intrigued by ancient rivers, Roman artefacts, or the myths behind the cavern’s name, you’ll uncover stories that connect you directly to this extraordinary place. Designed with you in mind, the experience is flexible, intuitive, and accessible. Simply download the app, settle in for a short welcome introduction, and then explore at your own pace. As you move through the cavern, simply scan or swipe to unlock content at key locations, allowing you to pause, reflect, and fully take in your surroundings without feeling rushed.   Prefer reading instead of listening? A full script is available within the app, ensuring everyone can enjoy the tour in a way that suits them best. This innovative guide enhances your visit ensuring every visitor can enjoy rich, consistent storytelling, whether you’re discovering the cavern for the first time or returning to uncover more.     We recommend downloading the app prior to arrival, the details are on your booking confirmation email, or simply search for Poole's Cavern in the Apple or Google Store. The app is free to download and use.  Headphones are recommended so you can hear the audio clearly and avoid disturbing other visitors.     Make the most of your day by combining your cavern experience with a walk along Thomas’s Trail or venture up to Solomon’s Temple through our beautiful woodland Country Park. After, relax with lunch or a delicious slice of cake in the café, then browse the gift shop to take home a special memento of your visit, perfect for remembering a truly memorable day. Important Information:  The cavern maintains a constant temperature of 7°C (44°F), so we recommend bringing a warm layer. There are 28 steps in total throughout the cave, with no more than 11 in any one section. For those visiting with young children, a pushchair station is available at the cave entrance (items left at your own risk), and child carriers are recommended for a more comfortable experience. There are two low points within the cavern, one at the entrance and another near the first set of steps, both clearly marked with “Mind Your Head” signage. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a short lead (please purchase one dog ticket per dog). Carer tickets are available for registered carers accompanying a paying visitor, with valid proof required on arrival. Wheelchair access is available for approximately one-third of the cave. If you wish to explore further, a site visit must be arranged in advance and a risk assessment completed. If you have any additional requirements or questions, please contact the team on 01298 26978 before booking, we’re here to help you plan your visit.

Poole's Cavern is a family friendly, dog friendly, all weather, accessible experience, illuminated with natural LED lighting.  Book a guided tour and be taken through this ancient natural limestone cavern, found on the outskirts of the historic Spa town of Buxton in the High Peak of Derbyshire. Enthusiastic guides will take you on a journey beneath the earth where you can marvel at the beautifully illuminated rock sculpted galleries. Explore the vast limestone caverns and see how Stalactites and Stalagmites have lined the chambers over millions of years. Cavern tours are led by a guide at all times and take approximately 45-60 minutes depending on the group size. Included in your entry ticket, make the most of your day by combining your cavern experience with a family woodland adventure on  Thomas’s Trail  (opened April 2026) or venture up to Solomon’s Temple on woodland trails through Buxton Country Park.  Important Information:  The cavern maintains a constant temperature of 7°C (44°F), so we recommend bringing a warm layer. There are 28 steps in total throughout the cave, with no more than 11 in any one section.  For those visiting with young children, a pushchair station is available at the cave entrance (items left at your own risk), and child carriers are recommended for a more comfortable experience. There are two low points within the cavern, one at the entrance and another near the first set of steps, both clearly marked with “Mind Your Head” signage. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a short lead (please purchase one dog ticket per dog), please note each tour is limited to no more than 6 dogs. Carer tickets are available for registered carers accompanying a paying visitor. A full list of accepted Carer ID is available on our website, on the Accessibility page. Wheelchair access is available for approximately one-third of the cave. If you wish to explore further, a site visit must be arranged in advance and a risk assessment completed. If you have any additional requirements or questions, please contact the team on 01298 26978 before booking, we’re here to help you plan your visit.

This Christmas, experience festive music like never before as Christmas Underground: Brass & Voices brings the warmth and joy of Christmas music into the unique setting of Poole’s Cavern. Join us for a very special evening of live music, festive favourites and plenty of Christmas spirit, with an unforgettable journey from the warmth of the Visitor Centre into the atmospheric depths of the cave.   Fairfield Brass Band  - We’ll begin in the Visitor Centre with 45 minutes of festive brass music from Fairfield Brass Band . A long-standing and friendly traditional brass band based in Fairfield, Buxton, the band was originally formed in 1865 and has been a much-loved part of the local community ever since. Their programme of festive favourites will get everyone into the Christmas spirit. There will then be a short interval before we head underground. This is your chance to stretch your legs, enjoy a festive refreshment and get ready for the second half of this very special evening.   Christmas Sing-Along in the Cave  - We’ll make our way into the cave for 45 minutes of festive singing , led by singer, performer and musical director Ray Mcleod . Ray brings more than 20 years of experience performing, musical directing and teaching singing across community, theatre and church settings. He has worked with singers of all ages and abilities and has musical-directed and performed in productions including Les Misérables, Guys and Dolls, Sister Act, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story and Jesus Christ Superstar .  Ray is also an experienced community choir leader and has delivered singing and intergenerational projects in the local area. Now he’ll be leading us through a joyful selection of Christmas favourites, encouraging everyone to join in and become part of the performance. With the natural acoustics of the cavern, festive lighting and the sound of voices echoing through the cavern, this promises to be a Christmas sing-along you won't forget. Whether you’re looking for a special festive evening, looking to start a new Christmas tradition with friends and family, a traditional Christmas concert with a difference, or simply want to experience the magic of music underground, Christmas Underground: Brass & Voices is the perfect way to celebrate the festive season. Only 50 places available.  With such a limited capacity, this is an intimate and exclusive Christmas event and tickets are expected to sell quickly. All BCA Members are eligible for discounted ticket. Please select BCA Member ticket at the checkout, and bring your valid digital or physical membership card on the night. Booking Information:  * Please note that the singalong in the cave is a standing event. * Only Guide Dogs are allowed

Poole's Cavern is a family friendly, dog friendly, all weather, accessible experience, illuminated with festive Christmas lighting between 1st December - 3rd January!  Book a guided tour and be taken through this ancient natural limestone cavern, found on the outskirts of the historic Spa town of Buxton in the High Peak of Derbyshire. Enthusiastic guides will take you on a journey beneath the earth where you can marvel at the beautifully illuminated rock sculpted galleries. Explore the vast limestone caverns and see how Stalactites and Stalagmites have lined the chambers over millions of years. Cavern tours are led by a guide at all times and take approximately 45-60 minutes depending on the group size. Included in your entry ticket, make the most of your day by combining your cavern experience with a family woodland adventure on Thomas’s Trail (opened April 2026) or venture up to Solomon’s Temple on woodland trails through Buxton Country Park.  After your visit - Warm up in our welcoming Café with hot drinks, snacks, and daily specials. Don’t forget to stop by the Cavern Gift Shop, where you’ll find gifts, toys, local produce, sparkling rocks and unique minerals, Peak District treasures and more! All perfect for Christmas gifting. We can’t wait to welcome you underground for a magical Christmas experience at Poole’s Cavern! Important Information:  The cavern maintains a constant temperature of 7°C (44°F), so we recommend bringing a warm layer. There are 28 steps in total throughout the cave, with no more than 11 in any one section.  For those visiting with young children, a pushchair station is available at the cave entrance (items left at your own risk), and child carriers are recommended for a more comfortable experience. There are two low points within the cavern, one at the entrance and another near the first set of steps, both clearly marked with “Mind Your Head” signage. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a short lead (please purchase one dog ticket per dog), please note each tour is limited to no more than 6 dogs. Carer tickets are available for registered carers accompanying a paying visitor. A full list of accepted Carer ID is available on our website, on the Accessibility page. Wheelchair access is available for approximately one-third of the cave. If you wish to explore further, a site visit must be arranged in advance and a risk assessment completed. If you have any additional requirements or questions, please contact the team on 01298 26978 before booking, we’re here to help you plan your visit.

Self-Guided App Tour - December 2026 Experience Poole’s Cavern with a magical Christmas twist!  For a limited time only, explore our  2-million-year-old limestone cavern,  transformed with sparkling festive lights. Take a yourself on a  self-guided tour  through beautifully decorated chambers at your own pace. While you're here, pick up one of our FREE Family Scavenger Hunts, and explore the many intriguing parts of the cavern. There will be a small gift for any child who completes the scavenger hunt, plus a festive prize draw  for a Goody Bag will be held on Christmas Eve. It's fun for all the family!   Designed with you in mind, the App Tour experience is flexible, intuitive, and accessible. Simply download the free Poole's Cavern app, settle in for a short welcome introduction, and then explore at your own pace. As you move through the cavern, simply scan or swipe to unlock content at key locations, allowing you to pause, reflect, and fully take in your surroundings without feeling rushed.   Prefer reading instead of listening? A full script is available within the app, ensuring everyone can enjoy the tour in a way that suits them best. This innovative guide enhances your visit ensuring every visitor can enjoy rich, consistent storytelling, whether you’re discovering the cavern for the first time or returning to uncover more.     We recommend downloading the app prior to arrival, the details are on your booking confirmation email, or simply search for Poole's Cavern in the Apple or Google Store. The app is free to download and use. The cavern's river is often quite loud over the winter period, so headphones are recommended so you can hear the audio clearly.  Please note: this is not a guided tour. After your visit -  Warm up in our welcoming Café with hot drinks, snacks, and daily specials. Don’t forget to stop by the Cavern Gift Shop, where you’ll find gifts, toys, local produce, sparkling rocks and unique minerals, Peak District treasures and more! All perfect for Christmas gifting. We can’t wait to welcome you underground for a magical Christmas experience at Poole’s Cavern! Important info: Wear sturdy shoes & warm clothing (it’s a cool 7°C/44°F inside all year round). Dog-friendly (please buy a ticket for your pup. Short leads are required). Pushchair possible but not ideal (There are 28 steps in total inside the cave, so we recommend a carrier). Wheelchair access is limited to about 1/3 of the cavern – email manager@poolescavern.co.uk for further information. If anyone in your group has additional needs that you would like to discuss in advance, please contact us at:  manager@poolescavern.co.uk Includes flashing/strobe lights. Please don’t touch the rock formations. Poole’s Cavern is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and we need your help to ensure that the cavern is preserved for future generations.   No refunds  – but if you can’t make it, we’ll do our best to rebook your slot! (subject to availability). Please contact us at 01298 26878 during our opening hours, or email manager@poolescavern.co.uk with your booking reference number.

A free talk to celebrate UNESCO International Day of Caves and Karst Many of our visitors will already have heard about The Dig at Poole’s Cavern. For several years, volunteer cavers Allan Berry and Simon Dillon have been working on an ambitious project deep within the cavern, carefully excavating through a challenging boulder choke in the hope of discovering previously unexplored cave passages beyond. Progress is slow and painstaking. The work involves carefully removing material and, in places, installing scaffolding to safely support sections of the dig. The team is following a compass bearing informed by previous radar surveys and the successful drilling of boreholes, which have helped to build a picture of what may lie beyond. Their ultimate goal is to reach a potential new chamber, known as “Seventh Heaven.” But what does it actually take to undertake a dig underground, and how do you know where to dig when you cannot see what lies ahead? Join Allan for an engaging and accessible talk about the ongoing exploration of Poole’s Cavern. He will take you behind the scenes of The Dig, explaining how the project began, the geological setting, the planning and safety considerations, the equipment and excavation techniques used, and the challenges of working underground. The talk will also explore the discoveries and findings made so far, the importance of protecting the cave environment, and what the team hopes the future may hold. The talk will finish with an opportunity for questions and discussion, giving visitors the chance to find out more about this fascinating ongoing project directly from one of the volunteers involved. Free to attend. Places Limited, Booking recommended.

Our SEN Guided Tour of Poole's Cavern will last approximately 45 minutes and you will be led through our underground chambers by one of our enthusiastic guides, 1000ft into the hillside. This tour differs from our standard tour with the aim to be more accessible and sensitive to individual needs. These differences include: SEN Tours will combine standard guiding with interactive zones. This may include handling fossils, replica ancient tools and specifically chosen calcite formations. SEN Tours will be limited to 12 participants. Each standard entry comes with one free accompanying carer. Service dogs welcome, but otherwise this is NOT A DOG FRIENDLY TOUR. SEN Tours will not partake in a Blackout experience, but the UV experience will take place.  There are 2 benches throughout the cave tour, along with the 28 steps. Wheelchairs may only access 1/3 of the guided tour, however please do call us on 01298 26978 to discuss further.  Although our SEN Tours aim to improve our accessibility and inclusivity, the environment being dark, damp and a cool 7 degrees centigrade will provide some limitations. To discuss further needs prior to booking please call our Accessibility Champion, Alison Ewart on 01298 26978 or email alison.ewart@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk. \\Note\\* Each standard entry ticket comes with a complimentary free carer ticket. Any additional carers or visitors must pay standard entry. Proof of carer must be provided at the front desk upon checking-in. If you feel additional carers are required, please contact us via the phone number or email provided.   Inclusions What you'll need 🧤 Warm Clothing ☂️ Waterproofs

Hire one of our sensory bags for the day to accompany you on your journey through Poole's Cavern and our 100 acre woodland country park.  Each bag contains: Ear Defenders Mega Fidget Tactile Shells Feelings Fan Torch Fidget Zip Bracelet Scraggly Poole's Cavern Teddy Companion Map of Poole's Cavern Country Park Our sensory bags have been made to enhance customers experience, incorporating the senses with focus on touch. Please enjoy our sensory bags responsibly. We also stock a range of fidgets in our gift shop.  Please note a deposit of £25 will be taken upon collection of the sensory bag and refunded upon the return of the sensory bag in appropriate condition. All sensory bags must be returned by 3pm on the day of hire. You can collect your sensory bag anytime before 2:30pm on the day of hire.