Miss Grace's Lane

Miss Grace's Lane is a cave system near the village of Tidenham in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. It ranks among the longest caves in the region and is a destination for experienced cavers rather than casual visitors.

What is Miss Grace's Lane?

The system holds roughly 4 km of natural passage, making it the second-longest cave in the Forest of Dean. Only Slaughter Stream Cave, at about 13 km, is bigger. The way in did not exist for most of history: members of the Royal Forest of Dean Caving Club (RFDCC) dug the entrance open between 1994 and 1997.

What is it like underground?

Cavers descend a shaft of around 30 m fitted with permanent ladders and lined with concrete pipe. Below, heavily fractured passages form a maze where losing your bearings is easy, mostly on one level. Bands of iron-rich rock give the walls a reddish tint. Dog Tooth Chamber, noted for its crystals, features on many trips. Visitors report a dry, fairly warm interior, and the cave blends mine-like workings with natural forms.

Can you visit?

Only with permission. A locked manhole cover seals the entrance. The RFDCC keeps the keys under an arrangement with the Forestry Commission, which owns the land. Permits go to members of the British Caving Association and are issued through the club on behalf of the FoDCCAG access group. Expect to need proper caving kit, ladder experience and navigation skills. Rules can change after new finds, so check fodccag.org.uk before planning a trip.

What can non-cavers do nearby?

The cave itself is for those who go underground, but the surrounding woods reward a walk. A route runs to the Devil's Pulpit, a rock perch above the Wye valley with a view toward Tintern Abbey, and the return follows the track called Miss Grace's Lane. The Forest of Dean also offers waymarked walking and cycling trails and traces of centuries of iron mining.

How do you get there?

Tidenham sits on the southern edge of the Forest of Dean, close to Chepstow and the Welsh border. Driving is the simplest option. The cave's precise entrance location is kept low-profile by the clubs, so do not try to find it independently.

Frequently asked questions

Is Miss Grace's Lane open to the public? No. Access is controlled and entry requires a permit, available to British Caving Association members.

How long is the cave? About 4 km of passage, second in the Forest of Dean after Slaughter Stream Cave.

How deep is the entrance shaft? Around 30 m, descended on fixed ladders to the first chamber.

Who manages access? The Royal Forest of Dean Caving Club holds the keys; the land belongs to the Forestry Commission.