Exploring the caves in our county takes knowledge, experience and the right kit. The best way to access all this is by contacting one of Yorkshire’s many outdoor activity centres, all with licensed well-qualified guides, or a local caving club. As you’d expect in an area so abundant in caves, there are plenty to choose from.
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Instructors and Guides
The commercial operators listed below hold the relevant National Governing Body award to instruct their given activity. They are likely to be a member of one of the governing bodies such as Association of Mountaineering Instructors, Association of Caving Instructors, British Canoe Union.
The activity centres listed are accredited through the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA). Accreditation through AALA is only required for centres and guides doing adventurous activities with young people in a commercial setting. This means that many well qualified and experienced guides are not part of this scheme, especially if they concentrate on working with adults. Some centres that just work with adults will also hold the licence as a quality mark.
- Alfresco Adventures, Reeth
- Live For Today, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
- Yorkshire Dales Guides, Settle, North Yorkshire
- Lost Earth Adventures, York
- How Stean Gorge, Harrogate
- Leeds Wall, Leeds
Climbing and Caving Clubs
There are a number of climbing and outdoor clubs based in the area. If you don’t live in one of those places, it’s worth remembering that the clubs hold their activities throughout Yorkshire and the rest of the UK.
Craven Pothole Club, Skipton, North Yorkshire
For Gaping Gill Open Week – August
Find other local clubs and get more information about taking up caving in Yorkshire here.
If you’re looking for people to boulder or climb with, try the British Mountaineering Council for a list of climbing clubs.