Caving / Potholing
Caving / Potholing
What is it?
Caving (also known as potholing) is the practice of adventuring into caves to explore what's inside! Not to be confused with the scientific study of caves called "speleology", caving is wholly recreational in purpose and comes from the desire to investigate that which is hidden from sight.
What does it involve?
The general practice of caving can vary from light exploration in big, easily navigated cave systems to more extreme aspects such as cave diving. Some caving needs a lot of safety equipment as it can involve navigating fairly treacherous areas and steep and narrow inclines, but the general purpose of caving is exploration and fun.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Caving will be greatly educational in understanding the formation and history of the earth and the environment, and learning about the chemicals and reactions involved in formations such as stalagmites and stalactites can be fascinating. The extensive and slow-forming history of caves will increase a students respect for nature and its immense power over time, and can incite a sense of adventure and desire for new discoveries and things to learn.
What equipment do we need?
In general, you'll be with an activity provider when venturing into a cave, so it's unlikely you will need to supply any equipment! If needed, the organisers should supply safety apparatus, but check ahead beforehand for advice and to see if you need to advise the students on how to dress.
Who is it suitable for?
As the levels of caving can be adjusted for ages and abilities, it should be suitable for everyone. Providers will know what sort of caves are suitable for different groups, so as long as you consult with them it should be a good fir for everyone.
Costs?
The type of caving experience you decide upon will alter the costs of your trip greatly - a simple tour of an open cave system will cost a lot less than guidance than a trickier and more specialist cave experience.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Younger children should be well supervised in cave systems and you should be confident that they can obey all safety instructions.
How do we include?
Some of the more popular and open cave systems will be set up for disabled access, but the nature of caving means that they are generally hard to reach! Check with the provider if your group has someone with a disability that you are concerned about to get some advice on what would be suitable for them.
Doing it abroad?
Some of the most impressive cave formations can be found abroad - it would be worth a visit for the spectacle alone!
Main website:
http://www.trycaving.org.uk has some great general information, but always check individual provider websites for their own exact details.
Venues with this Activity
Based in the beautiful Peak District, in the north west of England, we specialise in abseiling, archery, bushcraft, canoeing, caving, climbing, kayaking, mountaineering, orienteering, expedition and camp-craft. We have a true passion for what we do and we are here to ensure you have an awesome time with like minded individuals and groups.
Our outdoor education courses are delivered by qualified instructors who work with 8 - 12 people [dependent on the activity]. This ensures a personalised quality session every time.
We aim to help young people realise their potential through learning in the wild. We create a supportive and challenging environment in which young people can learn about themselves and see clearly, perhaps for the first time, what they might truly be capable of achieving in life.
Activities In Snowdonia provide adventurous activities to groups and individuals in Snowdonia, Anglesey and the surrounding area of North Wales.
We take pride in offering a quality experience to all of our customers and employ highly qualified and motivated instructors to ensure that every customer enjoys their time with us.
Summit Centre,formerly known as the Welsh International Climbing Centre, is located south of Merthyr Tydfil in the South Wales Valleys just 10 minutes from the A470 and under an hour from the centre of Cardiff. It is built on the site of the former Trelewis drift mine which closed in 1989.
Here at Merlin we offer outdoor pursuits including rock climbing, hill walking, mountaineering, kayaking, gorge walking and caving. We're based in Cardiff and have ready access to beautiful activity venues in South Wales and further afield.
The Storey Arms is Cardiff's outdoor education centre. We offer activities and courses to people living in Cardiff and to visitors from the UK and abroad.
Most of our programmes are for young people from 9 to 18 years old. We also work with teachers and those working in higher education so that they can gain qualifications and develop skills to deliver outdoor activities.
We are a charity which offers free, confidential support and information to young people.
We have projects which can help with things such as housing and homelessness, relationships and sexual health and mental health.
The Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre in Plymouth is one of the foremost Outdoor Education centres in the South West – the centre has a reputation for excellence, professionalism and operates to the highest standards.
Dartmoor offers a vast and unspolit landscape, ideal for a wide range of activities that can challenge and inspire children and adults.
Group adventure days, outdoor adventure activities, family adventures and stag and hen activity days in Devon - join us for coasteering, rock climbing and gorge walking
Zenith Leisure specialises in tailoring all of its outdoor activities and courses to each customer’s requirements. This means you get the very best experience possible. Based in the North East of England, we are able to deliver activities anywhere throughout the UK. You choose where and when; we do the rest!
Specialist skills and experience enable us to provide safe and rewarding activities to children of all abilities, including those with learning and physical disabilities, who may be members of any mainstream group. We are particularly proud of our long serving and experienced staff.
Found deep beneath the limestone hills on the edge of the historic Derbyshire spa town of Buxton. This secret underground world once echoed to the sound of a glacial river that scoured the rock for millions of years.
YMCA Weardale House is an 8 bed residential outdoor education centre, set in a 5 acre site in the heart of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Pendarren House Outdoor Education Centre is a large country house set in the Brecon Beacons National Park. It lies in the Grwyne valley between Table Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain, and has stunning views across the Usk valley.
Buckden House Outdoor Education Centre is a converted manor house in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. It is run as part of the City of Bradford's education services and has been providing residential outdoor experiences to school children and students for over 30 years.
Glasbury House is an early Georgian Manor House standing in seven acres of grounds on the banks of the River Wye and has been owned by the London Borough of Redbridge and operated as an Outdoor Education Centre since 1963.
In addition to being located close to rivers, caves and mountains, the centres have many on site facilities including good standard accommodation, high ropes courses, indoor climbing and traversing wall, forest schools site, camping facilities, problem solving challenges and orienteering courses.
Rope Race is set within Goyt Mill, a 100 year old cotton mill adjoining the Peak Forest Canal in Marple on the outskirts of Stockport and within easy reach of Manchester city centre.
Thornbridge Outdoors is run by a dedicated team of staff with many years experience and great enthusiasm for the benefits and wonders of the outdoors! Our approach is to find out what you need, understand your objectives and then apply our knowledge and experience to meet your expectations.
Herts Young Mariners' Base has the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge demonstrating high standards in all outdoor adventurous activities. The centre boasts many years' experience of running fun, safe, challenging team building, land and water based activities for schools, colleges and youth groups, with many groups returning year after year.
Dobroyd Castle is a 19th century mansion set high up on the Todmorden moors enjoying some fantastic views of the surrounding area and accommodated up to 285 children. The castle has both architectural and historical significance in the area.
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The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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