Questions, answered

We'll meet at an agreed spot and run through a kit check and safety briefing before walking to the entrance. Underground, you'll follow stream passages and chambers — a mix of walking, crawling, scrambling and the occasional wade — stopping regularly to rest, take photos and learn about the formations and how the cave formed.

A half-day is around 3.5 hours; a more advanced day is a fuller day below ground with more distance and challenge. We go at a pace that suits the group, and there's never any pressure — encouragement, yes; pressure, no.

For a half-day taster, a reasonable level of general fitness is all you need — if you can manage a hill walk, you'll be fine. There's some bending, crawling and climbing, but we choose trips to match the group.

More advanced and weekend trips ask for a bit more stamina and confidence in tighter or more committing terrain. If you're unsure, tell us about your fitness and any concerns when you book and we'll recommend the right trip.

Lots of our first-timers feel nervous about tight spaces. Many caves and most mines have plenty of larger passages and chambers, and a half-day taster or a mine trip is a great gentle introduction. Let us know beforehand and your leader will look after you, take it steadily and never push you somewhere you don't want to go.

At the moment we can only take 18+ on our trips. We will be offering under 18 trips in due course.

We provide the technical kit — helmet, headtorch and oversuit. You just need to bring:

• Warm layers to wear underneath (avoid cotton — go for thermals or a fleece/tracksuit)
• Wellies or sturdy old boots if a mine is drier although we can help with wellies if you are struggling to get some. Let us know your size well in advance and we can sort for you.
• Gloves
• A complete change of clothes and a towel for afterwards

It will get muddy, so nothing you mind getting dirty! We'll send a full kit list with your booking confirmation.

An oversuit should fit comfortably over your warm layers without being so baggy that it snags. As a rough guide, pick a size based on your normal clothing size and remember you'll have a layer or two underneath — slightly roomy is better than tight, so you can move and bend freely.

We carry a range of sizes. If you let us know your height and usual clothing size when you book, we'll have the right kit ready for you on the day.

Your trip price includes qualified leadership and all the technical equipment (helmet, headtorch and oversuit). You bring your own warm layers, wellies, gloves and a change of clothes. Anything else specific to your trip will be listed in your pre-trip information.

Caves are live, water-filled systems, and the safest, most enjoyable choice on any given day depends on a few things we can only judge closer to the trip:

• Conditions: recent rainfall and water levels can make some systems unsuitable, so we pick the best option based on up-to-date conditions.
• Group size and experience: we match the cave to the people coming, so the venue may shift depending on numbers and ability.

We'll always confirm the meeting point and what to expect in good time before your trip. Mine trips follow established workings and are more predictable, but may still be adjusted for safety.

Most caving and mine trips run whatever the weather above ground — it's dry (ish!) and a constant temperature below. However, heavy rain can affect water levels underground, so occasionally we'll change the venue or, very rarely, postpone for safety. If we ever have to cancel a trip, you can transfer to another date or receive a full refund. See our booking conditions for details.

Caves are natural, water-carved limestone systems — more physical and adventurous, with crawling, climbing and the odd wade. Mines are hand-cut historic workings — drier, mostly walking and full of heritage and engineering. Mines make a brilliant, gentler first trip; caves are the place for a more hands-on adventure. Many people love doing both, which is exactly what our weekend trips offer.

Browse our upcoming trips and either book one of the available dates online or get in touch with your preferred trip and date. We'll confirm availability, take payment to secure your place, and send you everything you need to know. For your own group, just ask about a private trip.

Absolutely — private trips are available for friends, groups, clubs and corporate days on a date that suits you. Contact us with your group size and what you're after and we'll build the perfect day underground.

Yes. Alongside our open trips, we run regular women-only cave and mine days throughout the season — a relaxed, supportive space for all experience levels. You'll find the dates on our upcoming trips page.