Priddy Minery, Priddy
St. Cuthbert's Swallet is undoubtedly the most complex cave system on Mendip and ranks second in length to Swildon's Hole. The cave consists of a steeply descending entrance section which carries the main stream beneath a multi-level network of passages, chambers and boulder ruckles.
At a depth of 105m, the system simplifies to become a single, gently sloping passage carrying the main stream, now augmented by several small inlets, to a final sump. The cave offers a great variety of sporting and aesthetic aspects: numerous pitches (wet and dry), free-climbs, traverses, boulder buckles and squeezes, which are combined with spectacular cave scenery and a wide variety of calcite formations including flowstone cascades, curtains, cave pearls and helictites, all preserved in virtually pristine condition. The stream has been MKHP spore-tested to Wookey Hole, about 3km to the south.
| Co-ordinates | 51.25182, -2.65648 |
| Length | 6700m (Vertical range 145m) |
| Leader | Leader System |
|
Postcode (nearest) |
BA5 3AU |
| Links | MCRA Record |
| CSCC Access Guide |
Description Copyright © MCRA 2016. Purchase Mendip Underground Edition 5 at http://www.mcra.org.uk.
Photo Copyright © Mark Burkey 2016.
