Gaping Gill

The opening of the cave system known as Gaping Gill, in the Craven District of the Yorkshire Dales, is deceptively small. True, a large stream runs into its opening, tumbling to its floor, but the full extent of this well known cave lies inside. It is said that its main chamber, seen above, is big enough to hold one of Britain's smaller cathedrals. It is huge.

To get down into Gaping Gill, a winch is rigged up and people are lowered down to the cave's floor. The people doing the lowering traditionally listen oujt for the screams as the person in the chair goes through the waterfall. Whether it is also true that they stop for a while there is open to debate.

Although it sounds extremely dangerous, it is a safe descent down to one of the most amazing cave systems in the British Isles.
Robert L. Fielding