Jingling Pot

Jingling Pot is a deep vertical cave in West Kingsdale, North Yorkshire, in the Yorkshire Dales of northern England. The opening sits right beside Jingling Beck, within sight of Ingleborough and a short drive from Ingleton. It is a route for experienced cavers only, though walkers can look at the entrance from a safe distance.

What is Jingling Pot?

The pot is a limestone shaft with a lens-shaped cross-section that drops straight from the surface for roughly 45 metres. At the bottom, a rift heads north and falls steeply into a second chamber, where the initials of the first explorers are scratched into the rock. A narrow shaft in that chamber leads into a maze of small crawls and rifts that come close to a passage in Aquamole Pot, the One-armed Bandit Series.

A second set of shafts runs parallel to the main drop. Cavers reach them through a rock window a little below the entrance, which gives an alternative way down.

How do you get to Jingling Pot?

Park in the layby on Kingsdale Road and follow the Turbary Road footpath. The open mouth of the pot lies on the left, about 100 metres off the path. The hole is unfenced, so keep well back from the edge, especially in mist and with children or dogs.

Can you go down it?

The pot lies on open access land, but descending requires single rope technique and proper caving experience. Cavers can rope straight to the shaft floor or take the Lateral Cleft route, a traverse across the shaft followed by a series of short pitches with rebelays. The Craven Naturalists and Cavers cave descriptions publish rigging notes and describe the fixed anchors. A swing across the gap that was once used to reach the Cleft is no longer recommended because of unstable trees and rock.

Visitors without equipment and training should not enter or approach the edge.

What else is nearby?

West Kingsdale has many similar sinkholes, including Rowten Pot, and the valley is known for the Kingsdale Master Cave system. The Turbary Road walk offers wide views over the limestone plateau, and routes from Ingleton can be combined with a climb of Ingleborough, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

When should you visit?

Late spring to early autumn is best for walking. After heavy rain, Jingling Beck and the nearby caves fill with water, which raises the risk for cavers. In winter the paths are often muddy and slippery.

Frequently asked questions

Can a beginner go into Jingling Pot? No. It is a vertical shaft about 45 m deep, reached only with ropes and SRT equipment.

Is there an entry fee? No. Access is free, but normal countryside and safety rules apply.

Where do you park? In the layby on Kingsdale Road, then walk along Turbary Road to the entrance.

Is the entrance fenced? No. Stay well back from the edge, especially with children and pets.