Jubilee Spring Bank Holiday Family Caving Activities - see our events page for details of these and other special events throughout the year.
The show caves are a part of an extensive natural cave system, mined for iron ore to make one of Britain's most complex and oldest mine workings; dating back well over 4,500 years, when Neolithic miners dug for ochre pigments.
Nine atmospheric ancient caverns are open to visitors, that have an exciting and intriguing past. You will see why television programmes like Dr Who and Merlin have chosen to film here. Walk through intriguing, sometimes eerie, iron ore workings and tunnels, following in the footsteps of generations of miners, who cut their livelihood from the rock.
- Nine well lit caverns open to the public
- Atmospheric mine workings and impressive caverns with winding passageways
- Displays throughout
- Visitor centre with Phyllis Lewis 'Forest Story' ceramic figures collection
- Blacksmith workshop
- Ochre workshop
- For lots of great things happening - keep looking at our events page
- Fascinating and exciting for the whole family
- Guided tours for pre-booked groups
- Caving activities - see events page and Deep Level Caving
- Spectacular Christmas Fantasy event throughout December and New Year
- Free surface facilities include:
- Free car and coach parking
- Gift Shop with excellent souvenirs, gifts, crystals and minerals
- Great cafe
- Free - children's play area
- Free - picnic areas
- Free - miner's smallholding
- Surface walks around Clearwell Meend (large common) and into historic and picturesque Clearwell village, with beautiful church and impressive village well (Clearwell Castle - not open to the public. 3 good pubs and 2 hotels.
- Dogs are welcome on surface facilities (not underground - except assistance dogs)
Reasons to visit:
Clearwell Caves are pleased the Goverment has postponed its proposal to dispose of all public forests in England. However, the threat of disposal has not gone away; the Government are waiting for recommendations from the Independant Panel on Forestry (due in June 2012) before making further decisions.
Clearwell Caves wholeheartedly support the 'Hands Off Our Forest' (HOOF) campaign and support the HOOF committee in their campaign to keep the Forest of Dean publicly owned by the Government, managed on our behalf by the Forestry Commission.
See http://www.handsoffourforest.org/ for more information and to see what you can do.