www.BlueJohnStone.com
Treak Cliff Cavern is an underground
wonderland of stalactites, stalagmites, rocks, minerals and fossils. It is
also Home to Blue John Stone, a rare form of Fluorite with beautiful
colours. Popular as an ornamental stone and mined for 300 years, one of
the largest pieces ever found is still in situ called ‘The Pillar’. The
Blue John Stone in Treak Cliff Cavern can be seen all around the walls and
roof of the Witch’s cave. The guided tour takes you deeper underground to
see multi coloured flowstone adorning the walls of Aladdin’s Cave, and
further on you can experience the wonder of the stalactites and
stalagmites in Fairyland and the Dream Cave. The most famous formation is
‘The Stork’, standing on one leg.
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People of all ages can
enjoy a visit to Treak Cliff Cavern, guided tours take about 40
minutes, and also experience special events held at certain times
during the year. Polish Your Own Blue John Stone is an activity
usually available during most of the school holidays where you can
select, prepare and polish a slice of Blue John Stone to take home.
There are also free children’s activities including the Discovery
Table.
Other events include an
Easter Egg Hunt, when the Easter Bunny will be hiding chocolate eggs
all around the cavern and visitors can search the cavern to find the
eggs for themselves. This is combined with the guided tours of the
cavern. Hunting for eggs starts at 10.00am and continues all through
the day every 30 minutes and the last hunt starts at 4.00pm.
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Carols by Candlelight is a
very popular event held at weekends before Christmas. The carols are held
in the Witch’s Cave, where the piano-accordionist accompanies the visitors
- laminated carol sheets are provided! The chamber is decorated with a
large illuminated Christmas tree, and lighted candles are placed all
around the nooks and crannies of the rocky walls. This creates a very
friendly festive atmosphere all finished with refreshments of mince pies
and mulled wine back at the cavern entrance area. Because of the
popularity of this event, admission is by ticket only booked and paid for
in advance.
Treak Cliff Cavern is an excellent educational resource currently used by
hundreds of teachers to deliver many aspects of the geography curriculum,
across all Key Stages.
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We are centrally
located within the Peak District National Park at Castleton,
Derbyshire, easy to get to and easy to find.
We have some of the finest stalactites and stalagmites in the Peak
District with wonderful water worn chambers, ideal for studying the
water cycle, limestone and other materials, etc. All supported by an
educational work pack developed in conjunction with practicing
teachers.
Our deposits of Blue John Stone are unrivalled, combined with many
other minerals and fossils that children can see and touch. Our rural
location also offers opportunities to study contrasting landscapes at
the same time. |
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We have undercover and
outdoor picnic facilities, and a souvenir shop. We are open all year
round, and can tailor your guided tour to meet specific educational
requirements. Teachers can visit the cavern free of charge and meet with
the Cavern Manager prior to their school visit for planning purposes.
Visit the website at
www.BlueJohnStone.com or Telephone 01433 620571 for information about
all our events, guided tours and group bookings.
www.BlueJohnStone.com
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