Wookey Hole Caves in Somerset
|
|
|
|
This page is about Wookey Hole Caves, Somerset
When you visit Wookey Hole Caves your guide will relate the 50,000 year history of the caves as home to both humans and animals.
Archaeologists’ finds indicate man has lived in and around the caves for 50,000 years.
For people in ancient times, the caves at Wookey Hole were a safe and even comfortable place to live. They were dry, easy to defend, warm in winter and cool in summer.
The bones of tropical and Ice Age animals, such as rhinoceros, bear, mammoth and lion, were found in the Hyena Den, along with flint tools.
Archaeologists reckon that the cave was occupied by hyenas and man alternatively between 35,000 and 25,000 BC.
It seems that packs of hyenas drove their prey over the cliff edge and then ate the remains. There is even a theory that early man may have done the same!
The Celts were farmers who had lived in or near the cave entrance for more than six hundred years. They used the part near the entrance because it was still quite light.
They burnt animal fat in simple lamps to explore deeper into the caverns. They reached as far as Chamber 4 which they used as a burial chamber.
2,000 years ago the Romans arrived to settle the region, build roads and exploit the rich mineral resources of the Mendip Hills. They subdued the local Celts in order to safeguard their newly opened lead mines and transport routes.
During the Dark Ages the Legend of the Witch of Wookey grew. Some said King Arthur came over from Avalon and slew her, others that the Abbot of Glastonbury sent Father Bernard to exorcise her, and he turned her to stone by sprinkling holy water on her.
Not a lot is known of the history of the cave until the 18th century, when the poet Alexander Pope visited it and had several stalactites shot down out of the roof to take home as souvenirs!
Today the caves are home to different animals. Horseshoe bats hibernate in the caves during the winter and sleep there at other times of the year.
There are no fish but divers have seen frogs, eels and freshwater shrimps in the underground waters.
|
Contact details
|
Opening Times
Open 7 days a week
Summertime: (Apr-Oct Inc): 10am (first tour) – 5pm (Last Cave Tour)
Wintertime: (Nov-Mar Inc): 10am (first tour) – 4pm (Last Cave Tour)
Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Open weekends and school holidays during December and January
|
Have you visited Wookey Hole Caves? Did you have a good time, or perhaps not? Let others know by adding your rating - Simply choose from 1 - 5 stars, 1 the worst, 5 the best!
Current rating: 5/5 Stars
|
Weather
What's the weather like at Wookey Hole Caves today?
|
Prices
Standard Admission Rates for 2010
* Adult: £16.00
* Child: £11.00 (3-14yrs Inclusive)
* Concessions: £11.00 (Senior Citizens)
* Students: £11.00 (Valid Student card required – must be purchased on arrival)
* Children under 3yrs: Free of charge
|
Shout about it! |
|
Click and hold your mouse any where on the map, then drag to move the map around, or use the directional arrows. Use the +/- buttons to zoom in/out
|
Other attractions in Somerset that you might like
|
Home | Search | Contact Us | Link To Us | Privacy Statement
Terms & Conditions | Advertisers | Useful Links
Copyright © 2012 visitorworld.co.uk - All Rights Reserved
|
www.wookey.co.uk
tell a friend about Wookey Hole Caves