Victoria Cave, King's Scar

Victoria Cave was originally a small opening in King's Scar known as the Fox Holes. In 1837 Michael Horner followed a dog through the opening and discovered a series of chambers. The artefacts discovered inside let to a full scale excavation, enlarging the entrance to it's present size.

The excavation revealed the story of the cave through the ages. 120000 years ago the cave had been a hyena den. Towards the end of the last ice age the cave was a place of refuge for hunter-gatherers and in Romano-British times the cave was used as a shrine.

CaveMaps.org has a detailed map of Victoria Cave. :-)

Lost in the Mist...

I was hoping to explore the cliffs above Bivi Cave but a sudden change in the weather put a stop to my plans. :-( Luckily I always carry a map and compass otherwise I could have ended up anywhere!

Inside Bivi Cave

Here's a closer look at Bivi Cave which is close to the footpath from Settle to the Attermire area.

There's a great view from inside Bivi Cave looking towards Sugar Loaf Hill. The cave is only a couple of metres deep so technically it's classed as a rock shelter.

Bivi Cave, Attermire

In Walks in Limestone Country, Wainwright describes Bivi Cave as a small cave so snug and dry a refugé in wet weather that one regrets going past on a fine day.

Personally I think the nearby Spider Cave is a much better place to shelter. :-)

Spider Cave, Yorkshire Dales

There are two Spider Caves close to Settle, one to the east below Warrendale Knots, the other to the west in Giggleswick Scar.

Spider Cave to the east is an opening in Beacon Scar, easily noticed from the footpath to Attermire. Luckily I've been once before because this time visibility was so bad I couldn't even see the scar!

A boulder strewn vertical fault leads to a narrowing of the passing. Through the squeeze leads into a small chamber with a side passage to the left which becomes too narrow.

Benscar Cave, Attermire Area, Yorkshire

Scaleber Cave, Settle, Yorkshire Dales

Cocoon Cave, Beacon Scar, Yorkshire Dales

Scaleber Force, near Settle

Stainforth Force, near Settle

Wild Flower in the Limestone of King's Scar

Flowers in the Limestone above Attermire Scar