Langcliffe Pot

Langcliffe Pot is one of the major cave systems of the Yorkshire Dales, set on the slopes of Great Whernside in Upper Wharfedale, roughly 3 km south-east of the village of Kettlewell in North Yorkshire, England. Despite the name, it is not near the village of Langcliffe by Settle. This is a site for experienced cavers, not a visitor attraction.

What is Langcliffe Pot?

The cave was discovered in 1936. It has two entrances, both vertical shafts that drop about 25 m to the base of the Middle Limestone. Surveyed passages total around 9.6 km, with a depth of about 116 m. Beyond the shafts the passages tighten, and one well-known stretch is the Craven Crawl, a low and wet section.

The system lies within the Black Keld Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Together with neighbouring Mossdale Caverns it forms an underground network of more than 20 km. The area is protected for its unusual geology: several stream sinks feed one underground streamway, which emerges at the Black Keld resurgence. That drainage is among the largest and deepest in Britain, although only a small share of its passages can currently be explored.

Can you go inside?

The cave is graded V for difficulty, with flowing water and loose boulders as the main hazards. The furthest point reached sits more than 170 m above the resurgence and over 4 km from it. A trip to that end is described as one of the most serious undertakings in British caving.

Entry therefore suits only organised, experienced teams with technical equipment and rope skills. Visitors without that background should not attempt it. Check access arrangements and current conditions with local caving clubs or the British Caving Association before planning a trip.

What can you see above ground?

For walkers the draw is the landscape itself: the moorland of Great Whernside and the Wharfedale valley, with Kettlewell as a convenient base. The entrances are natural openings in karst terrain, so take care when leaving the paths. There is no visitor infrastructure here, no signage, and no car park at the cave.

When is the best time to visit?

The cave carries an active stream, so it responds quickly to rain. After heavy rainfall and during snowmelt, conditions can turn dangerous, which is why cavers plan trips for dry spells. For a walk in the surrounding hills, late spring and summer are the best choice.

Frequently asked questions

Is Langcliffe Pot near Settle? No. It lies in Upper Wharfedale on Great Whernside, close to Kettlewell. Jubilee Cave on Langcliffe Scar near Settle is an entirely different site.

How long and deep is it? Known passages run for about 9.6 km, with a depth of around 116 m.

Is it open to tourists? It is not a show cave. Only experienced cavers enter, and the difficulty grade is V.

Why is the area protected? It is part of the Black Keld SSSI, which protects a rare underground drainage system linking the stream sinks to the Black Keld resurgence.