Speedwell Cavern

We had a great time here. We booked last minute as the weather was bad but this was a really interesting trip. Freddy was our guide on the boat and he made the tour fun and informative.

Speedwell Cavern, near Castleton in the Peak District, is an old lead mine turned tourist attraction. Visitors explore underground passages by boat through a flooded mine shaft, offering a unique experience. The cavern features impressive rock formations and a fascinating mining history. It’s family-friendly and guided tours run regularly. The site is easily accessible and popular with visitors looking to combine adventure with education. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak seasons.

This trip is a complete rip off. Hands down it is the worst ‘cave visit’ we have ever been on. After telling 8 family members I’d found an exciting day out we paid in total £176. we arrived at the carpark looking forward to our day out. Although this is advertised online I am still astounded that the cavern owners find it acceptable to charge £6 to park for visitors who book the tour. They ‘kindly’ reimburse each visitor £2.50 on arrival but then in the same transaction demand 50p per person each time someone wishes to use the toilet. Never mind I thought, the tour will be worth it. It isn’t, don’t waste your money. You sit in a boat to be floated along a dark passageway unable to hear the tour guide tell you useless information. At the far end of the tunnel I believed that there would be a cavern or cave to explore…. It turns out there is a very small opening with nothing to see. So you stand and look at nothing for 10 minutes and then get back in the same boat and take exactly the same journey out, I left the cavern not knowing any more information about its history than when I arrived. Even at half the price the tour wouldn’t be worth the money. My advice would be to visit the other showcases in the area. They can’t possibly be any worse value for money.

Really great tour, and the guid was so knowledgeable. Book ahead so as not to be disappointed and to get a time slot you want, lovely gift shop, and although the sign says no public toilets, there are toilets for those who book on to a tour you pay 50p for a token to use the loo and return the token when finished, it's opposite the gift shop through a turnstile, I did not know this and went down to the village and back to use the loos there but it's down hill and about a 20 min walk down and a hard walk back up.

A good trip through the old lead mine, thank you to the team. The steps down are steep but very manageable. The narrow boar ride through the tunnel is quite awesome, however I would have like to have known more facts and figures about the mine and tunnels to make it more interesting, also we could not hear much due to shouting pre schoolers!

Had a great time visiting Speedwell Cavern today! The underground boat trip through the old lead mine was a really unique experience – eerie, atmospheric, and surprisingly peaceful. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable, sharing some fascinating history as we drifted through the narrow tunnels. It’s not something you get to do every day, and definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area. Wear warm clothes – it gets chilly down there!

Speedwell Cavern is a 4.5/5 experience—unique, educational, and a little bit thrilling. It’s not a traditional "pretty" cave like some others in the Peak District, but its industrial history make it stand out. If you love hidden gems (literally!) and stories from the past, this is well worth a visit.

The mountains are a true sanctuary for the soul – fresh air, complete silence, and breathtaking landscapes. An amazing place to reconnect with nature and yourself. Perfect for relaxation and escaping the daily hustle.❤️