Shute Shelve Cavern

Coordinates: 51°17′40″N 2°49′39″W / 51.294342°N 2.827615°W / 51.294342; -2.827615
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Shute Shelve Cavern
LocationAxbridge
Depth33m
Length0.132km
GeologyLimestone

Shute Shelve Cavern is a natural cave system located in

Shute Shelve Hill, Somerset, England, above Axbridge in the Mendip Hills not far from Cheddar
.

The

speleothems over 350,000 years old.[1]

It was mined for its

yellow ochre which was used as a dye in paint making, until the 1920s,[2]
which gave it its alternative name of Axbridge Ochre Mine.

Access is controlled by the Axbridge Caving Group via a locked gate and completely closed during the bats' roosting season.

Chamber 1 has taped areas shows scallops to the right and miners supports and a large geode up to the left. Chamber 2 is a large rift with taped off areas for conservation. Further areas are known as Box Tunnel and Elm Street.

Carcass Cave dig is virtually feet away which used a monorail system, ladders and platforms.

See also

References

  1. ^ Farrant, A.R.; Gray, A. (1993). "Shute Shelve Cavern. Exploration, History and Geomorphology" (PDF). Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelaeology Society. 3: 283–290.
  2. ^ "Crook Peak and Axbridge". British Geological Survey. Retrieved 7 July 2009.

External links

51°17′40″N 2°49′39″W / 51.294342°N 2.827615°W / 51.294342; -2.827615