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Fairy Holes

(Weardale)

Last updated: 28 Nov 2022

Hazards and Warnings

Fairy Holes is a very wet cave (typically with waist deep pools and long wet crawling sections). The entrance pipe and several sections become impassable in high water. In-situ rope at Vein Chamber is a useful indicator of the simplest route back down to the water but is not maintained in any way so should not be relied upon.

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Access

Permit required

Advanced permission is required.

Permits for Fairy Holes can be issued to any BCA-registered club, or to named Club or Direct Individual BCA member (CIMs/DIMs). The cave lies in a privately-owned quarry and access is subject to the following conditions: (1) Permits only on the first Saturday of every month. (2) Maximum eight people. (3) The visit must take place between 8am and 10pm (4) Keys to the entrance locks will be posted to permit holders before your trip. You will be required to either post the keys onto the next permit holder immediately after your trip or to return them to the Permit Secretary, as requested. (5) Details about gaining access to the main gate and where best to park, and a navigation guide for the cave will be supplied with the permit. This overland route indicated and any restrictions on vehicle access must be followed. (6) The Keeper must be telephoned (details supplied with permit) at a reasonable hour at least 48 hours ahead of your visit to alert him to your intended presence. (7) The cave is an SSSI and the Natural England conservation statements supplied with the permit must be read and understood by all visiting cavers.

This cave is NOT on access land. Click here for more information.