Activities
- - - Abseiling
    - Gorge Scrambling
    - Raft Building
  - - Bushcraft
    - Mobile Climbing Wall
    - Rock Climbing
  - - Canoeing
    - Onsite Activities
    - Rock Scrambling
  - - Caving
    - Orienteering & Hiking
    - Team Building
Mixed Adventure Days
- - - Burbage Adventure Day
    - Grindleford Adventure Day
  - - Black Rocks Adventure Day
    - Stoney Middleton Adventure Day
  - - Cheedale Adventure Day
  - - Cromford Adventure Day
Groups
- - - Badged Youth & Sports Teams
    - Schools & Youth Organisations
    - The King’s Trust Programmes
  - - Corporate Events & Team Challenge Days
    - Scouts & Cadets
  - - Faith Groups
    - SEND & Inclusion
  - - Friends & Families
    - Stag & Hen Events
Services
- - - Education Services
    - Training & Technical Advice
  - - Qualifications & Awards
  - - Sponsored Abseils
  - - Strategic Partnerships
Information
Courses & Booking
Contact Us

Caving, Potholing and Mine Exploration

The Peak District region of Derbyshire has a wonderfully diverse range of caving, potholing and mine exploration possibilities for all ages abilities.

Caving Peak District

Our privileged access arrangements to some underground cave venues and our levels of technical expertise mean that, the underground experiences we offer can rarely be replicated.

Acclimbatize caving Instructors and Leaders are trained to impart geological, historical and environmental information with the aim of bringing the underground environment to life. This approach to cave leadership enriches the cave experience for our clients.

Derbyshire benefits from a rich history of metal and stone mining. Join us and step back in time to understand how the Peak District played a crucial role in the industrial revolution and uncover the rich industrial heritage of the area.

caving-peak-district-derbyshire-aspect-ratio-1080-1320

Developmental Instruction

Caving provides a powerful group experience in which participants can work co-operatively in an environment which may be physically or emotionally challenging.  Individuals will often implement team decisions in response to changing circumstances.

The activity provides genuine opportunities for people to take on leadership roles and achieve success both at a group and personal level.

Key Learning: Safety Equipment, Safety Instructions, Team Work, Decision Making, Leadership Opportunities, Assisting Others, Environmental Awareness. Caving Peak District

Introductory Caving Trips - Level 1

Introductory caving trips will take place in underground cave systems which are predominantly horizontal in their nature. Prior to setting off underground, we equip you with helmets, lighting, oversuits and boots.  You will then explore a variety of subterranean cave passages under expert instruction. Some caves considered to be ‘level 1’ have sections where climbing / scrambling is required to negotiate sections of cave passageway – these can be protected by use of the leaders rope from above.

Our instructional staff will bring the underground environment to life by imparting information about the structure of limestone, the origin of caves (formation and development), how the caves were discovered and subsequently explored. Most cave leaders seem to have a natural leaning towards story telling which can add a ‘further dimension’ to your underground experience!

Intermediate Caving Trips - Level 2

Still suitable for beginners so called ‘Level 2’ indicates that caves will have vertical sections.  These vertical sections of cave are negotiated by a variety of more advanced caving techniques such as abseiling during descent and by rope (lifeline) protected ladder climbing when returning to the surface.

Vertical caving offers a superb variety of adventurous underground challenges. These trips usually take a full day in duration and may be more physically committing. Appropriate technical skills training may be completed above ground before venturing into the cave system.

Mine Exploration

The Peak District affords the opportunity to explore numerous abandoned mines. The sites we use are all inspected and approved for group use by a qualified mines inspector.

The use of such places with groups provides a rare backdrop from where the most powerful learning can be fully experienced in this dynamic environment.

Classic Caving – Derbyshire and Yorkshire

We offer cavers the opportunity to join us in exploring some of the biggest, deepest and most spectacular caves in the country.  We visit many classic systems, which may otherwise be beyond the present scope of our clients for logistical or technical reasons. Some previous vertical caving is necessary.

Reviews

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 160 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Stephen M 
 27 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Fantastic introduction to climbing
Our family climbing introduction was a great experience for myself and my two teenage boys. All the staff were friendly and welcoming. Our instructor was an experienced climber who was willing and able to guide three newbies through a range of challenges on the nearby gritstone features. Overall I would thoroughly recommend the experience.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Elena Z 
 22 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Fantastic experience
We had a caving experience today with Nigel and we thoroughly enjoyed it. He was knowledgeable and understanding and made the experience brilliant. Thank you
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Uncle_buckk 
 21 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Abseiling at Millesdale
This was a great experience for us. We were a bunch of elderly ppl, stiff as a board and couldn’t bend for anything, however the trainer showed great respect and tolerance and the event was brilliant. Thank you for the fantastic trainer whose name was Chris. Four of us did the abseil at millesdale and absolutely enjoyed the whole experience.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Helen C 
 21 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Outstanding!
I booked a whole day climbing for my sons (13 and 10) and husband who all took up indoor bouldering a few months back. Within a few minutes of meeting our instructor Chaz, he had picked up on their experience levels and personalised the whole day accordingly with the perfect level of challenge for them all. They got to do various roped climbs of increasing difficulty on slabs and up cracks, scrambling, abseiling, through caves and ending with an almost sheer climb that Chaz knew would be too hard to complete but gave our eldest the perfect aspiration for his next steps in climbing. Throughout the day Chaz also gave them loads of praise and support as well as fantastic tips and techniques that they will be able to take forward. He also told us about some local history, the rock formations and great climbing stories, as well as recommendations of other bouldering sites and films. Couldn’t be more pleased with the entire day. Our 13 year old said it was the best day of his life and that he would give 10 stars out of 5.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   C V 
 9 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Caving trip
We booked a level 2 caving trip with this company and will definitely use them again. Everything was well organised, the guides were excellent and it was good value. We had a great morning caving and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Frank N 
 5 July 2026
 
 
 Verified Super family activity
Fantastic archery session with Tracey and Drew. They organised 20 competitive adults and 2 children giving us enough of a safety briefing to keep us safe without it spoiling the fun. Super helpful tuition without mansplaining! They kept the activity from becoming samey by introducing different competitions and were absolutely brilliant with the 5 and 8 year old who were totally included in the whole activity. Would thoroughly recommend 👍👍👍🏹🎯
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Philip090 
 4 July 2026
 
 
 Verified AWESOME!
I took a group of 15 year old from a specialist school, all the children had additional needs. As part of a residential we had a day and a half with Accimbatize, Andy ,Tom, and Drew our instructors we awesome in engaging with our pupils giving the right amount of encouragement and support to some very anxious young people. They were patient and interested in all the individuals to ensure everyone achieved some personal challenge. The various activities gave something for everyone, Giants Cave a special place with brilliant explanation around it's formation and history. The back admin office were really helpful with our booking and completing consents. I would most highly recommend these guys for and adventure day out. Very safe friendly, for any group and especially including groups with special educational needs and disabilities. Thank you we will certainly book with you again.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Zia L 
 27 June 2026
 
 
 Verified Absolutely brilliant!
I am so glad we choose acclimbatize. We had an instructor to ourselves and Tom was absolutely brilliant. He adapted the actictivities around our families needs and was so patient with us. We did climbing, abseiling anf gorge walking. I thoroughly recomend it.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   davegardnerisme 
 27 May 2026
 
 
 Verified Amazing adventures with great instructors
I took a group of Scouts on a four day camp from Surrey. Sam helped me organise the whole trip, finding an itinerary that worked for our schedule and budget. We took part in three activities: caving, gulley scrambling, and climbing. All three were fantastic and the Scouts loved it. The level was pitched just right. It provided a challenge, but was never too difficult. Instructors all friendly and professional. Highly recommended and I’ll be using them again!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jim M 
 5 May 2026
 
 
 Verified Our 5th time booking with Acclimbatize in 5 years!
We went rock climbing and abseiling, plus some woolcraft, this weekend, with a group of about 24 children ranging from 4 to 16. Chris, Chas, Andy and Tracy were all absolutely great leaders, they created a relaxed but exciting atmosphere, challenging all the children to their limits and rewarding them with endless encouragement and words of advice. Everyone had a superb time.

Hear what our clients have to say...

Enjoy the Benefits of Caving in Derbyshire

All underground sites we use are monitored and approved by an outside organisation and the mines are routinely inspected by qualified engineers for structural integrity.
A broad range of suitable caving options for all levels and abilities.
Our privileged access arrangements and our levels of expertise mean that caving experiences with us could rarely be replicated.
Caving skills courses directed by highly qualified C.I.C holders.

Ready to get started?
Get in touch today

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical caving day will involve equipment issue – usually a suit, boots and a helmet with lighting. Following a safety briefing groups will move underground and enjoy exploring a variety of passageways. Constricted passageways or squeezes are optional. Participants may get involved in reading cave surveys and taking a turn at route finding. Some venues may require the use of a rope for protection. Only in more advanced caving systems will teams face committing or constricted sections of passage. The aim of most introductory sessions is to inform and educate about the environment. On more advanced caving sessions participants can expect to abseil, climb ladders and negotiate exposed sections on fixed lines.

Acclimbatize has sufficient equipment for around 40 cavers however we would never put this many people in 1 cave. Usually we use multiple locations with larger groups. There are locations where larger groups can be accommodated. In these scenarios we offer half the group caving related activities such as abseiling, ladder climbing or roped traversing on, or close to the surface.

We can usually figure out a suitable venue or route within a cave for any fitness level – please let us know of any concerns in advance. Alternatively if you are wanting a good physical challenge let us know during the booking process.

We also operate in the Yorkshire Dales

Caving combine well with Canoeing, Climbing, Abseiling and other activities depending on the location of the cave.

Related Activities

You can view our other activities below

Abseiling

Bushcraft

Canoeing

Gorge Scrambling

Mobile Climbing Wall

Onsite Activities

Orienteering & Hiking

Raft Building

Rock Climbing

Rock Scrambling

Team Building Activities

Accreditations

The association logos throughout the pages of this website represent membership of the highest professional bodies at both national and international levels. Click on any of the logos below to view our safety and quality information.