Obtaining Permission to Access Caves

Many caves across our region lie on either open access (CRoW) land or on land where the owner has imposed no restrictions on caving.

In other areas restrictions do exist. Obtaining permission to cross private land and visit caves is not just a matter of courtesy. In many cases it is essential if access to particular caves, and the good reputation of the caving community, is to be maintained.

In several areas, the CNCC serves as an intermediary between the landowner (who is controlling access) and the caving community to help ensure that cavers are advised of any access restrictions and are able to achieve the necessary permission as easily as possible.

The restrictions may be as simple as a courtesy call on the landowner, an online booking, or a polite request to approach by a particular route of access.

Anyone wishing to visit a cave in our region should look at the specific access details on our website for that cave. For a small number of caves on private land, we still facilitate a permit system based on an access agreement between the landowner and the CNCC, but we have tried to make obtaining a permit as easy and convenient as possible.

The CNCC works hard to ensure that cave access goes hand in hand with cave conservation, and initiatives are always ongoing to mitigate the impact of cavers on the countryside and the cave itself, including restoring walls, stiles, fences, paths and cave entrances.

Work is ongoing in the CNCC to make caves more accessible including supporting the British Caving Association to see caving recognised under the Countryside Rights of Way Act, which will secure our long-term right of access to hundreds of sites in northern England. However, even if this is successful, there are many areas where the goodwill of landowners will still be essential for cavers to continue to visit many caves, and undertaking of new exploration (digging) will always require landowner consent.

Therefore, even where access to caves is free from restrictions, we urge cavers to be respectful and courteous to any landowners, farmers or keepers you meet to help sustain the good relations we have established across our region.

If you intend to visit any cave where you are not sure about the access rights, please contact our Access Officer and we will be happy to help identify whether there are any restrictions. Similarly, please get in touch if you spot any incorrect information, or if you are refused access to a site, particularly one that you believe you should have a right to access.