Wookey Hole Caves

A complex of solutional limestone caverns and a tourist attraction on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England, located at the village of Wookey Hole. The site combines showcaves with a visitor complex and family-oriented exhibits.

A guided route leads through a sequence of chambers with stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone formations alongside an active underground river. The showcaves are linked to above-ground visitor facilities that include interpretation displays and local-history exhibits.

The caves are natural karst features formed in Carboniferous limestone; they have been known and visited for centuries and have produced archaeological and palaeontological finds reported by researchers. Use of the site shifted from local curiosity to an organized visitor attraction in the 20th century.

Sited at the village of Wookey Hole in Somerset, roughly 3 km south of Wells and set into the lower slopes of the Mendip Hills.

• Distance: About 3 km south of the cathedral city of Wells, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills in Somerset.
• Cave hydrology: Contains an active underground stream that has shaped the cave passages and continues to influence access during periods of heavy rain.

What to See #

• Showcaves: The main showcaves consist of a series of limestone chambers and passages carved by an underground stream, with accessible walkways and guided tours into the principal chambers.
• Visitor centre: A visitor complex beside the cave entrance houses displays and family attractions that operate alongside the cave tours.