Great Masson Cavern

Hurricane lamps and candles are carried in this cave so that one gets "all the thrills of an underground exploration in complete safety, with experienced guides".

The cave consists largely of an old lead mine which breaks into a natural cavern at the end.

It has a long history, for this cave was first opened to the public in 1844. The entrance is through a door in the bottom of a little gorge, which leads into a long, narrow rake, where the old miners scraped out lead to eke a living from the earth. The way winds down this narrow corridor, the flickering lights of the visitors and the guide casting eerie shadows on the rocks, making shapes which look like goblins or the ghosts of the old miners, waiting to pounce on the unwary. It is possible to see traces of the old miners in their pick marks on the walls.

The Lake, an old, flooded level, is passed, as well as many calcite and stalagmite formations which have been given names suggested by their shapes, such as the Crocodile, the Lion, and high up, 90 feet above, in the tallest dome of the cave, the pure white head of a woman, described as "the largest natural cameo in the world".

Text from: Tony and Anne Oldham (1972): Discovering Caves - A guide to the Show Caves of Britain. With kind permission by Tony Oldham.

Since my visit in 1972 the mine has changed out of all recognition. It is now lit by electric lighting throughout.

The visit begins with a 6 minute video presentation in the pavilion and a few safety warnings - there are a lot of steps in this cave! From the rear of the pavilion it is only a short walk to the entrance, where a flight of 30 steps, in a narrow mined passage called the Bacon Rake leads one down into the first chamber. More steps, this time in wider passages which increase in size and finally opening out into the Great Cavern 40 m long 10 m wide and 15 m high. It is reputed that the shaft in the roof was the original way in. The way out is via a flight of 78 steps, but fortunately the guide stops half way and gives a long spiel (so it is possible to get one's breath back again) including some amusing anecdotes and historical notes which really brings the visit to life.

The mine is noted for its pick marks where the old miners took every bit of lead they could find. The exit is higher up the hill, with a short walk back to the entrance. Before entering the cave you are warned about how strenuous the trip is, this warning should be heeded.

Updated 2001 by Tony Oldham.