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About this place
Charterhouse Cave, near Cheddar in Somerset, is the deepest cave in southern England. It lies beneath the Mendip Hills plateau and is a serious caving system rather than a show cave: the entrance is locked and visits are by permit only.
What is Charterhouse Cave?
The cave sits on the Mendip plateau at roughly 51.30°N, 2.75°W, in the old lead-mining landscape around Charterhouse. Published figures put its depth at about 228 m and its surveyed length at about 4.9 km. Much of that total comes from exploration in 2010 and 2011. Its depth comes from a chain of vertical shafts and tight passages that carry surface water down through the limestone.
Can you go inside?
Not as an ordinary visitor. The gate is locked, and entry is limited to people holding a permit issued through the clubs that look after the site. Trips go with an approved leader, and novices are not accepted. Bristol Exploration Club members receive a yearly permit that must be renewed each year. If you are an experienced caver, start by contacting a club, not by driving to the plateau.
What can you see nearby instead?
The surroundings reward a visit. The Mendip Hills are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the region holds many more caves, including the show caves at Cheddar. GB Cave lies close to Charterhouse Cave, though the two systems are not connected. Walking the plateau shows classic karst scenery: depressions, grazing land and the traces of old lead workings.
When should you visit?
Underground temperature stays steady all year, but heavy rain can raise water levels quickly in the system, so caving trips depend on the weather. For walking on the surface, spring to early autumn is the most pleasant season on Mendip.
Frequently asked questions
Is Charterhouse Cave open to tourists? No. It is locked, and only permit holders may enter.
How deep is Charterhouse Cave? Sources give about 228 m, making it the deepest cave in southern England. Its length is around 4.9 km.
Can beginners go down? No, the access rules exclude novices. For a first cave trip, choose one of the commercial caves around Cheddar.
Who controls access? Permits come through the caving clubs active at Charterhouse, including Bristol Exploration Club and Wessex Cave Club. Check current rules with them before planning a trip.
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