Peak District Caving

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Gritstone - Information

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The White Peak limestone outcrop is almost completely surrounded by escarpments of the overlying Namurian gritstones. There are no known solution caves in the gritstone: most of the drainage, apart from local percolation down joints, remains on the surface.

All the caves listed here are formed either by wind erosion along major joints, by the partial detachment of huge blocks from the scarp faces, or have been artificially excavated. Most provide a useful shelter for climbers and walkers from the harsh conditions that can prevail on the high gritstone moorlands.