Group Visits

White Scar Cave is the longest show cave in Britain.  Therefore pupils gain access to an extensive and significant underground system.  Getting to us is easy, because our on-site vehicle park is only 2 miles from the A65 and 17 miles from the M6.  The turf-roofed visitor centre offers shelter from rain and from fierce summer sun. Guides escort groups through the cave, adjusting their presentation to the age range and subject interests of the visitors.

Topics include: 


• How caves form in limestone
• The discovery and exploration of White Scar Cave
• How stalagmites, stalactites & flowstone are formed
• Preservation of the natural cave environment
• The water system (hydrology) of the cave
• Timelines – relating geological epochs to human life and history
• Zoology – the tiny, blind creatures living in the cave
• Continental drift and the formation of limestone
• Geology of the area, including showing the famous Craven Fault
• Leisure industry studies – operation of the cave as a visitor attraction

Minimum 12 – large groups will be split for the cave walk. (Please note: if your group has fewer than 15 paying visitors, your guide may also be escorting other visitors.)

The cave enjoys a magnificent setting in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, yet is surprisingly accessible because of excellent transport links. Our large vehicle park is right beside a main road, and the cave entrance and visitor centre are a two minute walk from the parking area.

On the tour around White Scar Cave your guide will point out features of interest, explain the history of the cave, and answer questions.

The area round White Scar Cave is rich in beautiful landscapes, natural features and visitor attractions. A walk down the cave can be combined with a visit to an above-ground attraction, making a satisfying and enjoyable tour of the dales.

Upon arrival, visitors are fitted with hard hats. The guide leads the group a short way into the cave for introductory remarks and the safety briefing. The cave walk then proceeds, with stops for presentation of points of interest, and questions. Please advise us of your specific requirements, so that your pupils enjoy a truly rewarding experience.

Minimum 12 – large groups will be split for the cave walk. (Please note: if your group has fewer than 15 paying visitors, your guide may also be escorting other visitors.)

We provide worksheets for key stages 1, 2, 3 & 4 of the National Curriculum. The worksheets have been created by an experienced geography teacher, and may be downloaded from this website. They are also available at the cave. In addition, our information room displays materials illustrating aspects of the cave, including a large-scale wall map of the entire system. We help promote the Country Trust education charity, which is dedicated to bringing alive the working countryside for those children least able to access it.

Information to assist with risk assessments may be downloaded here. Teachers are welcome to visit the cave in advance – please contact us if you would like to arrange this. 

Yes, we have a qualified first aider on site.

On-site vehicle park, café, shop (indication: £2-3 pocket money), outdoor and (limited) indoor picnic areas, toilets, information centre.