Speleogenesis: the evolution of the Castleton caves

Castleton, in North Derbyshire, is unique in Britain in having four caves open to tourists, as well as several ‘mid’ caves, most of which are only accessible to potholers and speleologists. Together, the tourist and wild caves tell a fascinating story of speleogenesis — the growth and development of a cave system. Both geologists and geomorphologists often ignore cave systems, but such systems play an important part in the evolution of the landscape as we see it today.