Gaping Gill — Attraction in Great Britain

This will probably be my longest review ever.... One word....WOW!!! I've been wanting to visit Gaping Gill for about 8 years when I first walked past and wondered what was going on with all the tents. Since then I've been wanting to go down but always forgot about the event until after the event, but this year I put it in my diary and so glad that I did. I managed to get first place in the queue after setting off from Leeds at 05:30 and arriving at Clapham just before 7am. I got set off from the car park and got there just after 8am. The experience was breathtaking and one I'll never forget. I sat in the winch chair which was really tight and cramped . I knew I would get wet but not as wet as I actually did. I did go prepared though so wasn't too bad. When you set off down the winch you instantly start getting showered with spray, then once your lower into the chamber it's like getting buckets of water poured over your head and you continue getting showered with water even at the bottom because of the force of the water hitting the bottom.I went while the waterfall was at full force but it had been raining for the previous few days so might not be as bad if you go when it hasn't been raining..There are ponchos available to buy for £1 at the signing in tent which will prevent most of your body getting wet.. At the bottom you're met by the winch man who assists you getting out , you then wait for about half a dozen more people to come down where you will all be sent on a guided tour as a group and then allowed to roam inside until you're ready to go back up to the surface. From a photographers point of view I was disappointed but only because the amount of spray that was blowing about which made it almost impossible to get some clean shots . I was constantly wiping my lens after each long exposure so make sure you take a few lens cleaning cloths because your hands will soon become wet and dirty. The ground was cobbles and rock mainly but there is a bit of mud .The lighting they had down there were spoiling my photos because they were bright andalways seemed to be pointing directly at the camera so there was no way of avoiding them so I had to ask a couple of visitors to stand in front of them while I took my shot. Make sure your camera is waterproof or weather sealed and make sure it is in a totally sealed bag when going up or down the winch as water finds itself in every nook and cranny and even went down my back on the way down. . This winch meet was run by the Craven Pothole Club who were very welcoming and knowledgeable .This is an experience and one in a lifetime opportunity for most, so if you get the chance to go...

Arrive early! We got there at 630am and were already numbers 86/ 87 in the queue. It could be a long, cold and windy wait for the tent to open. Take waterproofs even in summer. And snacks/drinks. There's safe bag storage for when you go down. Once we paid to get our wristbands at around 9am we were told to come back in around 2.5 hours for our turn....that's around 5 hours from when we arrived. It's a great ride down & up (don't forget you need waterproofs) It's a beautiful but relatively small area to wander about for obvious safety reasons. Plus it's pretty dark and torches are limited so take your own. V important, we likely missed out on quite a bit by sharing a torch and laminated map. We spent around an hour down there. It would have been great to have someone walk you around, pointing things out and giving a speaking tour. There are lots of people around to ask questions but it's not the same if you don't know what questions to ask or what you're really looking at. This is the only reason for the 4 stars rather than 5. Pre book accommodation AND definitely food in this remote location as options are extremely limited and fill up well in advance. The volunteers who run the day are all lovely and friendly. There are lots of comings and goings, we enjoyed watching real cavers hanging off the walls above us. The toilets are, at best guess, 150 years behind the first ever Glastonbury....i.e. a precarious bucket in a very windy tent on top of a hill, but you can walk a little further down slope and pee more comfortably in a secluded ditch. If you want to make a really great day out add on a good hike after your slot at the cave. We walked up little Ingleborough while waiting and then to Ingleborough cave (which is fab) and back to Clapham after our trip down. Long day but worth it. Take waterproofs!!!! It's not a place for hot pants and eyelashes, although thank you girls, you gave us a good chuckle with your grumpy...

Magnificent experience, highly recommend 😊 The fact that it is only accessible twice a year, makes it even more special. If you can make it, then do; and plan in advance: check the dates when it's open (usually around May and August bank holiday) check the weather ahead, pack waterproofs (you will get wet and muddy if you’re up for an adventure), warm clothing/layers, proper walking boots, snacks and water, take your waterproof camera or with a waterproof cover if you have, it’s damp down there, if you arrive by car, check and plan where you going to park; we parked at the Clapham village’s National Park Car Park on Church avenue, LA2 8EQ. There are free toilets at the car park, all day ticket costs £4.50-, ticket machine takes card payments. -couple of minutes’ walk to the Ingleborough Estate nature trail, where you pay £1 per person to enter; we paid with coins, can’t remember if the machine takes card payments - sorry. Do keep the tickets, as you will be asked to hand them in on your way back! arrive early (they open 8.00) to avoid disappointment, bare in mind to get to the Gaping gill takes 1 hour to 1.30 walk, through beautiful gorge. Once you arrive, you need to cue for your number tag. We cued for abut an hour, and then were told to wait for our turn (number tags 90, 91) about 3 hours, so we hiked the nearby peak - another stunning experience, returned little earlier, with jelly legs, but in time! The descend is mind blowing, so exciting, and the chamber is just...