Giant's Hole

Giant's Hole is a well-known cave near Castleton in Derbyshire, consisting mostly of large passages. It is a stream-way cave, and part of the Karst topography of the area.[1]

Inside the Entrance Series
Giant's Hole
Giant's Hole within Derbyshire
LocationCastleton, Derbyshire
OS gridSK1194282685
Coordinates53°20′27″N 1°49′20″W
Depthover 120 metres (390 ft)
Lengthover 3 kilometres (1.9 mi)
AccessNo prior permission required but a £3 per caver fee is charged, payable at booth in the parking area
Cave surveyGiant's Hole Survey

There is a complex system connecting the cave to Oxlow Cavern and Maskhill Mine to the south. The Entrance Series[2] is easily accessible making it a favourite with novices and groups. The stream that flows into the entrance can be followed through the cave, bypassing three sumps, to the East Canal, Giant's Hole's terminal sump.

There are several major tributary passages and a high-level fossil series that provides an alternative route through the cave and makes up part of the classic "round trip". East Canal has been dived to a depth of 24 metres (79 ft) in drought (but water levels are normally much higher). The connection to Oxlow Cavern is a "serious undertaking"[3] and many cavers have underestimated the difficulty of the passage.[4] Access is permissive, on payment of a fee at a parking area near Peakshill Farm. The cave is within the Castleton SSSI.[3]

Since 2002, the Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation has attended 11 callouts to Giant's Hole, one of which resulted in a fatality.[5]

References
  1. Leibundgut, Christian; Gunn, John; Dassargues, Alain, eds. (1998). "The Castleton Karst". Karst Hydrology (IAHS Proceedings & Reports). International Association of Hydrological Sciences. ISBN 1-901502-40-6. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  2. "Giant's Hole, Castleton, Part 1" (PDF). Micro Guide. Peak District Caving. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  3. Barker, Iain; Beck, John S. (2010). Caves of the Peak District. Derbyshire Caving Association. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-9563473-2-9.
  4. "Giant's Hole Part 2" (PDF). Micro Guide. Peak District Caving. 15 December 2006. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  5. Lydon, Paul. "DCRO Call-outs Page". Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
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