Stump Cross Caverns - Harrogate

Catherine W.

A wonderful afternoon out!
We made a spur of the moment decision to visit with the kids and when we arrived were pleased to see lots of extras that weren’t available last time we visited (a couple of years ago).
First of all was the UV torches which really enhanced our visit - the boys loved spotting parts of the caves and tunnels that weren’t noticeable without, and they especially enjoyed going at the end of the day when there were fewer lights on so it felt really like exploring!
Secondly, we decided to try out the amber workshop (another new option) which was very reasonably priced for what we received. The boys loved finding out about amber and what it was used for, then made their own decent sized amber pendants to take home. It wasn’t busy so we enjoyed chatting for well over an hour!
Thirdly, the gift shop has a larger range of affordable products - historically they’ve stocked a really good range of products but mostly pretty pricey. Now, in addition to that excellent range, there are plenty of pocket money options which won’t break the bank. We had a lovely chat about geology with James in the shop and it was really nice that all the staff were friendly and willing to take time to make our experience a good one.
Lastly, the coffee is really good! Can’t comment on the food as we didn’t eat there but Grandma was made very welcome and enjoyed sitting by the real wood fire drinking coffee while I took the boys down the caves.
We were so impressed we upgraded to the annual pass and are planning another trip in January to try a different workshop! Highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ann J.

What a wonderful place to visit. It was a fantastic morning out with beautiful views on the way.
On arrival, you MUST register your vehicle on the screen at the entrance or risk facing a £100 fine.
The owners and staff were very helpful and knowledgeable without being pushy. You can buy tickets online or on arrival.
Before going into the caverns, you are shown an information film. Hard hats are mandatory as there are quite a few low areas. You must be physically fit as there are lots of uneven steps to negotiate. It is cold and wet down there, so sturdy footwear and warm clothing is required.
A great setup below ground and the tour takes around 50 minutes to an hour. Personal guided tours can be booked separately.
There is a nice cafe for snacks, drinks etc. There is also a very nicely laid out gift shop.
Strong enthasis is made on education for children.
Please DO visit this wonderful part of Yorkshire soon.

Steven G.

This place popped up on Google maps and looked really interesting so I decided to pay a visit and it didn't disappoint. Great information before entering the caves from the staff, then it's just a case of putting on your hard hat, heading down the stairs and you are in. Some spectacular sights to see. Some narrow and low places to get through but it all adds to the adventure. I didn't visit the coffee shop after I returned to the surface but it looked really nice and the gift shop was full of great things. All in all an amazing day out and I will return in the future. Highly recommend.👍

Rosie

Visited Thursday evening with my friend. Such an incredible place and one of the highlights of our trip to Nidderdale!

The staff were so kind, helpful and informative and the caves were just fantastic. We really loved the staffs' enthusiasm for the place and they just seemed like a lovely bunch of people.

As we visited late on Thursday we had the whole place to ourselves which was a great experience! The video beforehand was very well made and interesting too. Visiting here is definitely a memory I'll cherish, we had so much fun 😊 thanks!

Gavin H.

Must visit if in the area, amazing owners and staff, the cafe is excellent also

Really nice intro before you go down into the cave. Perfect mix of practical access and then leaving areas with low ceilings open to access some of the more spectacular areas such as the reindeer cavern. Was larger than we expected and took over an hour to explore. Food and drink in the cafe were great along with the view.

Chloe B.

We visited yesterday, our first time but definitely not our last! We were lucky enough to have the cave to ourselves. When we entered the place was bright and clean. James assisted us and is an absolute credit to the team, he made sure we understood everything, explained the caves in great detail and really put me at ease as I was feeling a little anxious. The video was really informative and there was so much to see the caves themselves are absolutely amazing and well worth the trip! The trail was easy to follow and there was so much to see! A lady also complimented my hat but I didn't catch her name, she was also lovely and they both made us feel at ease and were so helpful and kind! Thank you 😊

Debbie C.

Really nice place to visit for a couple of hours. We went on a freezing cold winters day and it wasn't too busy. The car parking is free, but you have to register your car registration number on your way in, which is simple. The visitor centre cafe is lovely with some amazing clocks, lighting and a welcome open fire. Staff are friendly and helpful. Watch out for the difference between time slots to book to go down- for some slots the caves are well lit, and some are darker. We prebooked tickets online from a different website and it was slightly cheaper than paying on arrival. The video before going down to the cave was informative and captivating. A hard hat and uv torch are provided. There are few steep steps down to the main caverns. There's lots for kids to watch out for. You can't get lost as it's just a couple of caves to explore and are gven a map. Parts of it you do need to stoop and walk as ceilings are low, so be aware if you have any mobility issues. The hard hat got quite a fee smacks! Parts are also narrow, and I was glad it was quiet as I imagine it would be slow going in busy times, waiting for people to pass. The uv torch (during the lit up time we were there) was useful for looking into the dark areas but don't expect to see anything dazzling- I believe the uv just protects microbes from light damage (no camera flash allowed). There's a gift shop on exit and good, clean toilet facilities. All in all a fun couple of hours!

amy H.

Great place, we went around 1330 and was a very interesting place, my son aged 12 absolutely loved it, they provided safety hats and torches, if you have mobility problems it's not advisable as there is quite alot of bending down and steps, uneven flooring.. it is a cave so it can't be helped and is part and parcel of a cave. Over all it's a great place to visit!