Goatchurch Cavern

Goatchurch Cavern sits on the edge of Burrington Combe, a gorge in the Mendip Hills of Somerset, England. The Mendip limestone hides hundreds of caves, and this is one of the most visited. It runs for roughly 750 m, drops about 55 m and has two entrances, so a through trip is possible.

What will you find inside Goatchurch Cavern?

The cave is a maze of passages carved by water through a narrow band of Black Rock Limestone. Passages are tight and twisting, linking one chamber to the next. Decades of hands and boots have left the rock polished and slippery along the busiest routes.

The best-known feature is the Drainpipe, a straight tunnel of about 12 m with a diameter barely over half a metre, connecting the two lowest chambers. Beyond it lie the terminal chambers. Near the entrance you will see iron handrails left from the time when the landowner tried to turn the cave into a show cave.

What is the history of the cave?

The first written record dates from 1736. Lead miners worked in the cave during the 19th century. Around 1901 the owner made an unsuccessful attempt to open it to paying visitors. In 1924 members of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society (UBSS) dug out the lower entrance. Notes from 1920s exploration of the area also mention bones of mammoth, bear, hyena and cave lion.

In 2003, graffiti cleaning revealed three W-shaped marks, thought to be protective ritual symbols dating from roughly 1550 to 1750.

How do you get to Goatchurch Cavern?

The cave lies on the hillside above the road through Burrington Combe. From the road a steep path climbs the slope. The combe is about 25 km south-west of Bristol, reachable by car, with roadside parking along the gorge.

Can beginners go in?

Goatchurch is a popular choice for first caving trips and is widely used to train newcomers. It is still a genuine cave, not a tourist route: there is no lighting, the passages are cramped and the rock is slick. You need a helmet, your own light and clothes you do not mind ruining. Beginners should go with a licensed guide or a caving club.

Frequently asked questions

How long is Goatchurch Cavern? About 750 m, with a depth of around 55 m.

Does the cave have two entrances? Yes, which makes a through trip possible.

Is it a lit show cave? No. The attempt to turn it into a visitor attraction around 1901 failed. Today it is a natural, unlit cave and you must bring your own equipment.

What is the Drainpipe? A narrow, straight tunnel linking the two lowest chambers and one of the cave's signature features.

Who explored the cave? Lead miners in the 19th century, and in the 20th century groups including the Bristol University Spelaeological Society, which published accounts and surveys of it.