Descent magazine
Written by cavers, produced by cavers and read by cavers.
www.descentmagazine.co.uk
Caving clubs are based all over the country – not just in caving areas. Many clubs are on the look-out for new members and some offer ‘try out’ days especially for this purpose. Have a browse of the clubs’ website and contact those that interest you.
Large club based in the Yorkshire Dales. It has its own club hut and runs an annual winch meet at the famous Gaping Gill pothole.
Location: Yorkshire Dales
We are a small but active caving club based in Bristol, UK. Many of us have commitments at weekends so we do most of our underground trips in the evening mid-week.
Location: Bristol
One of the UK’s major caving clubs. We cater for all forms of caving from novice and sporting trips to advanced digging techniques. We tend to be a sporty group and many of our members waste their time by climbing, mountain biking, and consuming vast quantities of Butcombe in the Hunters Lodge.
Location: The Mendips
Is based in South Wales amongst some of the regions finest caves.
Location: South Wales
Town’s friendly and active club welcomes members with all levels of experience.
Location: Cambridge
Friendly and active Mendip caving club that maintains a HQ/hostel on Mendip. We organise caving trips and expeditions to other parts of the UK and abroad. New members are always welcome!
Location: The Mendips
We are a friendly club with a cottage “Whitewalls” ideally situated on the hillside above Crickhowell for exploration of the extensive Mynydd Llangatwg cave systems. We have a full and varied programme of caving trips and social events, including weekend trips to other caving regions and occasional foreign expeditions. New members with or without previous experience always very welcome!
Location: South Wales
Large club with headquarters in the Yorkshire Dales. The club runs an annual winch meet at Gaping Gill at a different time of year.
Location: Yorkshire Dales
Founded in 1957, we currently have c50 members who are active mostly in Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Wales with occasional trips further afield. We welcome new members and complete beginners.
Location: Crewe 'ish
A friendly caving club with members in London and across the country, and welcome new members at all levels of experience.
Location: South Wales
Based at Alderley Edge Copper Mines with regular weekend trips to all caving regions. Friendly club and welcoming to all levels of experience.
Location: Alderley Edge
We meet every Thursday at the Old Ruiton Windmill Stone Mill Walk, Upper Gornal, Dudley, DY3 3XL at 8.00pm. If you are a caver and would like to join us, or think you would like to try caving just turn up or contact Keith Edwards for more information. The windmill is well equipped for all aspects of caver training.
Location: The Midlands
We’re an active student-run club, with regular caving trips, usually to the Yorkshire dales. We welcome absolute beginners and are also open to non-students.
Location: Durham
We’re a small and friendly caving club based at the University of Exeter. We go on regular day trips in Devon & Cornwall and weekend trips across the country, and run socials and training events throughout the year. If this sounds like your cup of tea then get in touch!
Location: Devon & Cornwall
Small friendly club which maintains its roots within the caves and mines of the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds.
Location: Gloucester
The GSG, formed in 1961, is a de facto national caving club in Scotland and engages in exploration all over the UK. We welcome newcomers and run introductory trips from time to time. We hold regular meetings in Edinburgh and possess a spacious field hut in Assynt, NW Scotland.
Location: Scotland
One of South Wales youngest clubs who regularly cave all around the UK. We also offer other activities such as Canoeing, paragliding, canyoning and weekend camps.
Location: South Wales - Abertillery
Formed in 1951, Hereford Caving Club is a small, friendly club. Although based in Hereford our members are widespread throughout the UK. The majority of our caving is done in South Wales, with regular club trips.
Location: Hereford
As the largest caving club in the Greater Manchester Area, we embrace any opportunity to introduce new members caving. We welcome students/non students from complete beginners to more experienced cavers.
A small and active club based around the Peak District. Regular meets to local caves and mines with occasional trips to Yorkshire and Wales.
Location: Derbyshire
Draws its members mostly from the south-east of England. The club has a cottage base in the Mendip Hills.
Location: Somerset
Based in Somerset’s Mendip Hills with a purpose built caving station. Known as Mendip’s friendliest club.
Location: Somerset
Based in the Yorkshire Dales, the NPC is one of the oldest and largest caving clubs in the UK responsible for many great cave discoveries. Today we remain very active with many sporting trips, overseas holidays and new exploration. Our cottage at Greenclose provides a focus for our activities, training and accommodation for members and guests with a cosy, friendly atmosphere. We welcome anyone interested in joining us!
Location: Yorkshire
Active university club with students and non-student members. Regular trips all of the country suitable for beginners and seasoned cavers alike!
Location: Nottingham
Long establised Derbyshire based caving club with its own cottage in the Peak District.
Location: Peak District
We are a friendly and very active (7meets days/month) new caving club, welcoming cavers of all different ages and skills. We offer a wide variety of trips from short and easy going to longer and more technical trips. We are keen to offer all levels of training to our members. Join our FB page and we’ll contact you within 48 hours.
Location: Peak District
We’re a highly active student-run club based in Northern Ireland with regular caving trips to County Fermanagh, and to County Clare in Ireland. We welcome all new members from students, to non-students, from all areas, backgrounds and all abilities. Get in touch to find out more
Location: Northern Ireland
Friendly club in the Forest of Dean welcoming newcomers and the more experienced to come and explore the underground. Regular evening and digging trips locally as well as forays further afield and monthly socials. Contact us through the website, or find us on Facebook for more information.
Location: Gloucestershire
Small active club based in South Manchester who welcome members of all abilities and from all areas.
Location: South Manchester
Active and social university club open to new members, university or not. Regular trips to the Peak District, with fortnightly trips further afield during term time, and yearly holiday or expedition abroad.
Long-established, friendly club running regular trips to caves and mines on Mendip, across Britain and overseas.
Location: Somerset
Friendly club with own headquarters in South Wales. Caving meets held all over the UK and abroad. New members of all abilities welcome!
Location: South Wales
Formed in 1946 based around Lancaster in the North of England. Since then RRCPC has become one of the country’s leading caving clubs with a growing membership of nearly 200 living all over Britain, as well as overseas.
Location: The Yorkshire Dales
Friendly club based in North Wales with interests in local mines as well as caves.
Location: North Wales
The society is proud to have a very broad range of interests. We explore and study mines in Surrey and throughout the UK, cave regularly in Somerset and South Wales with accommodation in both areas.
The Wessex has 300+ members, making us one of the largest clubs in the U.K. Formed in 1934 the club remains at the forefront of cave exploration in the UK and overseas. Our HQ, Upper Pitts is located in the heart of the Mendip Hills in Priddy. This puts us close to all the major cave systems, with Swildon’s Hole on our doorstep.
Location: Somerset
A friendly club with a diverse membership. We have own cottage in South Wales and cave all over the UK. New members of all abilities are welcome.
Location: London
We were founded in May 1954 and are based in the Yorkshire Dales. We hold regular club meets and continue to publish surveys, records and occasional compiled journals of our many finds over the years and ongoing exploration here and further afield.
Location: Yorkshire Dales
Friendly university club based in York - students and non-students welcome! We can train you and lend you all the kit you need to get started.
Location: York
Society Based in the Yorkshire Dales. Its own hostel at the Helwith Bridge has dedicated rope training facilities.
Location: Yorkshire Dales
Descent magazine
Written by cavers, produced by cavers and read by cavers.
www.descentmagazine.co.uk