Eastwater Cavern

Eastwater Cavern

Eastwater Cavern is a cave near Priddy in the limestone of the Mendip Hills, in Somerset, England. It is also known as Eastwater Swallet. It was first excavated in April 1902 by a team led by Herbert E. Balch composed of paid labourers and volunteers from the Wells Natural History Society. Progress was initially slow, but by February 1903 Balch and Willcox had discovered substantial passage, following the streamway down to the bottom of the cave. Dolphin Pot was dug in 1940 by the Wessex Cave Club, with Primrose Pot following in 1950. West End series was the most recent significant discovery, in 1983.

Details

Access
Call at Eastwater farm (ST 537 508), £1 goodwill fee. Changing facilities in barn.
Length
3510 m
Survey
[https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7593/16988470995_f877de19ef_o_d.jpg Upper Series Plan] and [https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8728/16781250037_9f39ddd2ee_o_d.jpg Lower Series Plan]
Geology
Carboniferous Limestone
Hazards
flooding and loose boulders
Location
Priddy, Somerset, UK
Registry
Mendip Cave Registry
Discovery
1902
Elevation
238 m
Difficulty
Grade 3-5
Grid Ref Uk
ST 5388 5062
Photo Caption
Entrance to Eastwater Cavern
Height Variation
152 m