Thor's Cave

Thor's House Cavern - Thyrsis's Cave


Useful Information

Location: Near Wetton, Manifold Valley, Peak District.
From Wetton follow the path to the southwest towards Manifold Valley. At the drop into Manifold Valley. 20 min walk.
(53.09176, -1.85422)
Open: no restrictions.
[2021]
Fee: free.
[2021]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: bring torch
Dimension: L=46 m, A=265 m asl.
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
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As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History

1864–1865 excavated by S. Carrington.
1927–1935 excavated by G.H. Wilson.
1950s used by rock climbers.
1988 location of the movie Lair of the White Worm, directed by Ken Russell, with Hugh Grant.

Description

Thor's Cave is a small but prominent cave, not only because of its name. It is located above Manifold Valley and has a beautiful view into the valley. It dominates the central section of the Manifold Valley. Its entrance is a huge symmetric arch, 7.5 m wide and 10 m high, visible from the Manifold way below as a huge arch in the middle of a limestone cliff face. Once inside the cave you can see that there is a second entrance to the side of the cliff, which has almost the same size. Despite its enormous The Manifold way is a former railroad track, which has been converted into a walking trail after the railroad was abandoned. The cave once had its own train station and was a popular tourist destination.

Excavations at the cave have revealed 10,000 years old remains. The youngest findings were from Roman and Saxon times. There were human artifacts like stone tools and remains of several now extinct animals. Part of the finds are exhibited in Buxton Museum.

Around Thor's Cave, along the valley, are numerous other small caves to explore. Do not forget good walking shoes and a torch. Much fun for children.