Clearwell Caves

Clearwell Caves are natural caves, extensively mined for iron ore to make some of Britain's most complex and oldest mine workings. The mine dates back well over 4,000 years, when early miners dug for ochre pigments to make paints. Iron ore miners later created a warren of underground passageways, by connecting the huge caverns. Experience an ancient and mysterious past. You can see why television programmes like Dr Who, Merlin, Atlantis and Da Vinci Demons have been filmed here many times. You walk through nine exciting, sometimes eerie, and impressive caverns, following in the miners' footsteps. You may even catch a glimpse of the 'Old Man' that miners believed haunted the Caves - there have been lots of sightings by visitors! Did you know? When the mines operated, from earliest times to 1945, parents in villages nearby would bring their children into the Caves to give them relief from hayfever! Due to the very high humidity, pollens and dust particles drop out at the Cave entrance.