The breathtaking underground waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales that’s the deepest in the UK
- UK Hidden Gems
- Sep 18
- 2 min read
Have you ever visited the UK’s deepest underground waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales? Many people call it a “once in a lifetime experience” after seeing it for themselves.
This breath-taking place is one of the best-known caves in the national park and is home to one of the largest underground chambers in Britain.
The main cavern measures an impressive 129 metres long, 31 metres high and 25 metres wide.
So where exactly is it? The Yorkshire Dales National Park website says: “It is normally reached from Clapham by walking past Ingleborough Cave and up onto the slopes of Ingleborough.”
The site adds: “Fell Beck pours over a lip of rock above and crashes 100 metres to the floor of the cavern before draining through to Ingleborough Cave.”
According to the National Park website: “The Gaping Gill cave system is one of the longest and most complex in the UK.
In fact, it was not until 1983 that members of the Cave Diving Group managed to connect this cavern with Ingleborough Cave.”
The first attempt to descend took place in 1842, when John Birbeck from Settle, who also explored Alum Pot, tried it by diverting the stream.
He was lowered by farm workers on a rope but only reached a ledge 58 metres down, now known as Birbeck’s Ledge.
In 1895, French explorer Edouard Martel became the first to reach the bottom using a rope ladder and a candle. He kept in touch with the surface by telephone as he made his way down.
Each year, between May and August, the Bradford Pothole Club and Craven Pothole Club hold a special “winch meet” event.
During this time, they set up a winch so members of the public can safely descend into the cave.
The website explains: “The descent only takes a few minutes, and once inside, visitors can walk around the vast Gaping Gill chamber under floodlights, admiring the incredible sights.”
Tickets for the 2025 sessions have already sold out, but those keen to visit should keep an eye out for the 2026 dates when they are announced.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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