Victoria Cave

Victoria Cave in Langcliffe, a short climb above the market town of Settle in the Yorkshire Dales, is a wide-mouthed cavern in the limestone cliffs of Attermire Scar. It ranks among the most significant archaeological and palaeontological sites in northern England, and it makes a rewarding walking destination with views across Ribblesdale.

What is Victoria Cave?

The cave opens as a large portal in the rock face above the village. It was found by chance in 1837, the year of Queen Victoria's coronation, which explains the name. Digs carried out since the nineteenth century revealed an exceptionally long record in the cave's sediments, stretching from warm interglacial times more than a hundred thousand years ago to the Roman period.

What was found here?

The deepest layers yielded bones of animals now linked with warmer parts of the world: hippopotamus, narrow-nosed rhinoceros, elephant and spotted hyena. Published estimates put them at roughly 120,000 to 130,000 years old, when England's climate was far milder than today. Hyenas used the cave as a den and dragged some of their prey in.

Higher up, the deposits hold traces of brown bears that hibernated here after the last Ice Age, plus an antler harpoon of about 11,000 to 12,000 years, among the earliest evidence of people in the Dales. Roman-era finds include brooches, coins and pottery, and a few unusual objects have led researchers to link the cave with ritual as well as shelter.

Above the cave you can spot Victoria Camp, a group of hut circles and enclosures, and nearby lies the Romano-British Attermire Camp.

There is no exhibition inside, as the finds went to museums. The draw is the sheer scale of the entrance chamber and the view from its mouth.

How do you get to Victoria Cave?

Settle is the natural starting point. The large Whitefriars pay-and-display car park on Church Street (BD24 9JD) sits just outside the centre. From there, circular routes of about 4.7 to 5.1 miles (7.6 to 8.3 km) pass Attermire Scar, Victoria Cave, Jubilee Cave and Warrendale Knotts. They are graded easy to moderate, involve around 300 m of ascent and normally take 3 to 4 hours. A shorter out-and-back to the caves takes about 2 hours 15 minutes.

When should you go and what should you bring?

Dry days from spring to early autumn are best, since paths can be slippery after rain. Wear sturdy footwear and carry a head torch if you plan to look further inside. The floor is uneven and the rock can shed debris, so avoid venturing deep without experience.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for Victoria Cave? Walking guides mention no charge for reaching the cave. The car park in Settle is paid.

How long does the walk take? A circuit from Settle takes about 3 to 4 hours, and a direct trip to the caves roughly 2 hours 15 minutes.

Do I need a torch? Not for the entrance area, but a head torch helps if you explore the interior.

What else is nearby? Jubilee Cave, the Attermire Scar cliffs, Warrendale Knotts and the waterfalls around Settle.