Ingleborough Cave

Ingleborough Cave, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, was first discovered in 1837 by brave Victorian explorers who drained away a lake and went on to discover 1/2km of previously unexplored passages delving deep beneath Ingleborough mountain, with only candles to guide them!

Today, the cave is well-lit, and you can follow in the footsteps of those pioneers on an awe-inspiring voyage of discovery! The Cave is reached via Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, which is a 1.2 mile trail that wends its way through beautiful woodland, past a picturesque lake, The Money Tree & Aunt Bessie’s Grotto, before emerging at the imposing entrance to Ingleborough Cave.

The more adventurous can continue along the trail beyond the cave to eventually reach the summit of Ingleborough; the finest of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks. The great guidebook author & illustrator Alfred Wainwright once said that it is every Yorkshire person's duty to climb Ingleborough at least once in their lifetime, and suggested the route from Clapham village along Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, a route he described as “the finest of all, a classic”.

The Old Sawmill Café, situated at the trail entrance, is a listed building that has been recently renovated to become a cafe. The heritage & history of the building has been beautifully preserved, providing a fascinating backdrop for visitors to immerse themselves in whilst enjoying the use of the café. Expect great coffee, delicious tray  bakes, and an ever changing breakfast and lunch menu using a range of seasonal, fresh & local food. Parking: please use the postcode LA2 8EA for the National Park car park in Clapham.