Treak Cliff Cavern by JRL
Treak Cliff Cavern
Treak Cliff Cavern is in The Peak District National Park in England.
Treak Cliff Cavern is a well-known show cave located near Castleton in Derbyshire, within the Peak District National Park. It is one of only two places in the world where the rare semi-precious mineral Blue John can be found, the other being the nearby Blue John Cavern. This unique form of banded fluorite has been prized for centuries for its distinctive blue, purple, and yellow hues.
Mining at Treak Cliff began in the 18th century, initially for lead, but interest quickly shifted to Blue John as it became fashionable for decorative use. The mineral was used in ornaments and fittings for stately homes such as Chatsworth House and even Buckingham Palace. During the First World War, Blue John was also mined for industrial purposes, including use in blast furnaces, which led to a significant reduction in available deposits.
The site opened to the public as a show cave in 1935. For many years, it was believed that the Blue John reserves were exhausted, but two new veins—the Lost Vein and the Ridley Vein—were discovered in 2013 and 2015. Today, Treak Cliff Cavern remains a working mine, with small quantities of Blue John still extracted and crafted into jewellery and ornaments, which are sold both on-site and in nearby Castleton.
Visitors to the cavern can explore its chambers via self-guided audio tours, which typically last around 45 minutes. The cave features striking natural formations including stalactites and stalagmites, and highlights include chambers such as Aladdin’s Cave and the Fairy Grotto. Treak Cliff Cavern is part of the Castleton Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its geological importance.
The cavern is located along Buxton Road, a short walk from Castleton village. Facilities at the site include a visitor centre, shop, museum, and café, making it a popular attraction for both tourists and those with an interest in geology and mining history.
Created: 18 April 2025 Edited: 18 April 2025
Treak Cliff Cavern Information
Treak Cliff Cavern Address
Castleton, Hope Valley S33 8WA, UK
S33 8WA
Website: http://www.bluejohnstone.com/
Get directionsTreak Cliff Cavern LiDAR Map
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around Treak Cliff Cavern
There are some historic monuments around including:
Hope MotteOdin Mine nucleated lead mine and ore works, 350m WNW of Knowlegates FarmGautries Hill bowl barrowCrookstone Hill round cairnWatt's Grove Rake lead mines 520m north of SweetknollPeveril Castle eleventh to fourteenth century tower keep castleTown defences 270m north and 350m north east of Peveril CastleRound cairn and clearance cairn 770m north west of Crookhill FarmOne of two bowl barrows on Bole HillSnelslow Plantation bowl barrowThe Folly platform cairnHow Grove Lead MineCop Rake and Moss Rake lead mines 750m north east of Wheston HouseWayside cross known as Eccles CrossPalisaded hilltop enclosure 230m SSE of Dirt LowPike Low bowl barrowGautries RakeMedieval hospital 530m south east of Losehill HallFaucet Rake lead mines 870m south west and 930m south east of Oxlow HouseHill's Venture lead mineRound barrow 500m south west of Peveril CastleCop Low oval barrowHarrod Low long barrowTideslow Rake lead rake and lime kilnOx Low oval barrowNew Rake lead mines 600m south east of Rowter FarmSlight univallate hillfort and two bowl barrows on Mam TorTides Low bowl barrow, limekiln and standing stonePeakshill or Oden soughLord's Seat bowl barrowThe Tong bowl barrow and long barrowBowl barrow on Withery LowPin Dale lead side veinsAnglian high cross in the churchyard of St Peter's ChurchBatham Gate, Roman roadHigh Rake MineEngine Sough and associated nucleated lead mine, 500m south of Mam TorRound cairn on Bridge-end Pasture, 600m north-east of Two Thorne Fields FarmNavio Roman fort and vicusStanding cross in the churchyard of St Peter's ChurchPlatform cairn south of Hill RakeOne of two bowl barrows on Bole HillCoalpithole RakePerry Dale bowl barrow and long barrowStanding cross known as Wheston CrossSlitherstone and Linacre lead mines and a limekiln 725m south west of Rowter FarmBowl barrow on Withery LowEldon Hill crushing circle, associated lead mining remains and palisaded enclosure on Eldon HillOxlow Rake lead minesRound cairn on Bridge-end Pasture, 300m north-east of Two Thorne Fields FarmBurr Tor prehistoric stock enclosureEldon Hill bowl barrow.
