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Peak Cavern

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description Peak Cavern Overview

Peak Cavern is a natural limestone cave at Castleton in Derbyshire, England, within the Peak District. Its exceptionally broad entrance chamber, traditionally described as the largest natural cave entrance in the British Isles, sheltered a community of rope makers for centuries. The cave is now operated as a show cave, with guided routes explaining its geology, local industrial history, underground chambers, and connection to the wider Castleton karst landscape.

help Peak Cavern FAQ

Why is Peak Cavern called the Devil's Arse?

Devil's Arse is the historic local name for the cave at Castleton, Derbyshire, and the stream emerging from it was called the Styx ([Peak Cavern facts](https://peakcavern.co.uk/facts/)). The modern name Peak Cavern is used by the visitor attraction, but the old name remains part of its folklore.

Did rope makers really work inside Peak Cavern?

Yes, rope makers used the entrance area from 1642 to 1880 to supply the lead-mining industry around Castleton ([Peak Cavern facts](https://peakcavern.co.uk/facts/)). The guided tour explains the rope-making walk and the underground community that worked there.

What is a Peak Cavern visit like?

The show-cave experience is an approximately one-hour guided tour through the large entrance and accessible sections of the system ([Peak Cavern](https://peakcavern.co.uk/)). Expect steps and a focus on the cave's rope makers, folklore, and unusual name rather than a technical expedition.

Is Peak Cavern part of a larger cave system?

Yes, the visitor route sits at the entrance to a much larger natural system, with the Devil's Staircase leading toward about 13 miles of cave passages. It is below Peveril Castle in Castleton and is one of the four show caves around the village, alongside Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern, and Blue John Mine.

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