For those who have recently joined the club (and for some who joined ages ago), you may be wondering what esoteric rites you have to go through to get permits, keys and leaders for some caves. Many caves are gated or controlled by individual or consortiums of caving clubs, often at the request of the landowner. The largest of these is the Charterhouse Caving Company (CCC Ltd), of which the UBSS is a member, originally set up as the Charterhouse Caving Committee, at the request of Bristol Water to administer access to the caves on their land.

The caves include GB, Longwood-August, Reservoir Hole and Charterhouse Swallet. When the land was finally sold off a few years ago, access agreements were maintained at the request of the new landowners including the Somerset Wildlife Trust. Many of these caves are gated to prevent any animals or members of the general public from coming to grief. In addition, many are SSSI’s (Special Sites of Scientific Interest). So here’s a list of some of the more popular caves on Mendip & South Wales with their (hopefully) current access agreements and the reasons behind them. Note, Some access arrangements may have changed, for up to date information look at

The Council of Southern Caving Clubs website

Mendip

GB Cave and Charterhouse Cave

Both these caves are situated on land formerly owned by Bristol Water and thus falls under the jurisdiction of CCC Ltd. The land is currently owned by the Somerset Wildlife Trust and CCC Ltd have negotiated an lease for access for member clubs under a permit system to prevent damage to the fine formations in the cave. Permits are available online via their website and must be obtained before caving on their land. As the UBSS is a member of CCC Ltd, keys are available from the committee via the tackle store. The trip limit for GB is 6 people, and no novices or carbide lights are allowed. In the case of Charterhouse, because of the pristine nature of the formations a leader scheme operates. Clive Owen and Andrew Atkinson are the current UBSS leaders who can take up to three other people.

Longwood-August and Rhino Rift

Again both these caves were originally on land owned by Bristol Water and thus controlled by CCC Ltd. The problem of ash dieback has severely affected many areas of Mendip. Longwood Valley is badly affected and as a result, Somerset Wildlife Trust have taken the decision to close the permissive path that runs along the bottom of the valley from the north to Velvet Bottom in the south. However, as Longwood Valley is home to these two important cave systems, CCC Ltd has been working closely with the landowner, Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT), to preserve access to the caves for cavers as SWT recognises the important role cavers play in managing and conserving the caves, all of which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Further information about the revised access conditions for cavers are on this page. It is imperative that any caver planning a trip reads and abides by these conditions.

A key and CCC permit are required, available as for G.B.. No carbide lights or novices.

Tynings Barrows Cave

The cave is gated and the key is held at Tyning’s Farm. Call on Mrs Reaks (01934 742672) at the side door of the main farm house, not the adjacent The Old Barn. Park tidily along the verge before the farm and use the stile provided for access to the field. Small goodwill fee (£2).

Swildon’s Hole

Goodwill fee (£1 per head), place in the letterbox at New Barn, in the yard past the changing barn.

Park carefully on the gravel surface opposite the barn. Avoid parking on the village green if possible, especially in winter when damage to the green by vehicles often annoys villagers. Additional parking is available on the top green (but not the village hall car park). ALWAYS change in Manor Farm barn, near naked cavers cause considerable offence to villagers. Do not urinate in the barn, not only is it anti-social, but it pollutes the milk.

St Cuthbert’s Swallet

A magnificent system controlled by the Bristol Exploration Club. They operate a leader system to both protect the many formations, but also to prevent numerous rescues from a very complex and potentially difficult cave, and to make sure the dam system at the entrance operates.

Eastwater Cavern & Manor Farm Swallet

These caves are open but call at the farm for permission. A good will fee is payable for Eastwater Cavern (£1 each) and Manor Farm Swallet (£2 each).

Please park considerately and do not block access for other vehicles.

Thrupe Lane Swallet

The cave is gated and fitted with the standard CSCC lock. Keys are held by CSCC member clubs, including UBSS.

Caution, the cave can flood suddenly and without warning.

Cuckoo Cleeves and Coral Cave

These three caves are gated with the standard CCC key which can be obtained from committee members or via the tackle store.

Singing River Mine

The entrance is located in a private garden and permission to visit the mine has been kindly granted by the householder subject to an access agreement with CSCC. If there is any contact with the householder please be courteous and respectful.

The Access Agreement can be seen here.

Wookey Hole

This is a commercially owned show-cave, but access to the passages beyond the show-cave can be obtained through an access agreement with CSCC which may be found here.

Cheddar Caves (Gough’s Cave & Reservoir Hole)

Currently the landowner does not permit access. see the CSCC website for up to date information.

Pen Park Hole

Access controlled on behalf of Bristol City Council by the UBSS, BEC and WCC, as the entrance is in the middle of a housing estate in Southmead. Access is by a leader system, our leaders are Clive Owen and Elaine Oliver or contact Graham Mullan for further information.

Burrington Caves

These caves have open access, although technically the UBSS is the only club with express permission to enter and dig in any of the caves on Burrington Common. Tween Twins cave is gated and requires a leader, ask Clive Owen.

South Wales

Ogof Draenen

Access controlled on behalf of the landowner by the Pwll Ddu Cave Management Group. the cave is locked and UBSS holds a key. No carbide lights and a trip limit of six.

Ogof Daren Cilau

Open access, but has it own natural access restrictions!

Ogof Craig a Ffynnon

The cave is gated, but there is no longer a need for a leader. UBSS holds a key.

Agen Allwedd

Access is available to any bona fide caving clubs with membership to BCA or similar body. Clubs or cavers wanting to access the cave should request a key via the application form (UBSS has one).

Little Neath Cave

Call at Blaen Nedd Isaf Farm to request permission. A goodwill fee may be payable. The entrance is often impassable when wet.

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu

The entrances to OFD I, II and Cwm Dwr are located on land owned by either Natural Resources Wales or South Wales Caving Club. Access to these entrances is administered by SWCC by means of a permit, which must be produced when collecting a key from SWCC HQ. Unless you are a member of a club with an annual permit (UBSS has one), you will need to arrange this in advance by applying for a permit with the permit secretary, who will issue you with codes to access keysafes to collect your keys. You should allow a minimum of two weeks between your application and your planned trip.

Please note that the SWCC no longer runs a Duty Officer system at weekends and therefore it may not be possible for permit holders to collect keys in person on weekends. Therefore even annual permit holders must arrange key collection in advance with the Permit Secretary.

Dan yr Ogof

A commercial show-cave, but access administered and keys held by the SWCC. A leader scheme operates with Identity cards held by the leaders. Entry and exit via the River entrance may be required when the show-cave is closed.

Otter Hole

Leadership scheme, usually booked up months is advance. Locked to preserve best formations in Britain and to make sure no-one drowns in the tidal sump. Access only at low tide and usually flooded all winter. Check caving press for up to date contact address. Was closed due to diesel pollution and bad air.

For the latest access arrangements, check the CSCC website or the Caving Wales website, or ask one of the old lags in the pub. Many older UBSS members are also members of other caving clubs and may be able to advise on access arrangements elsewhere. Happy Caving.