Interactive fossil dig activities for kids

Dig and discover real ancient fossils in our fun and educational Key Stage 2 fossil discovery digs.

Discover a prehistoric world underground

Dig for real fossils and make unforgettable discoveries

A visit to Stump Cross is more than a family day out. It's a voyage back in time – a portal to a long-forgotten age before humans or dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

Join us for a day of discovery and explore some of the best-preserved prehistoric caves in the UK. You'll navigate twisting passageways, uncover incredible rock formations and learn of ancient mysteries hidden deep underground.

Whatever your age, whatever the weather – Stump Cross Caverns is always an adventure.

Millions of years ago, the Yorkshire Dales was a shallow sea full of strange, exotic creatures.

Now you can see this fascinating world come to life. Our interactive fossil digs let kids play as palaeontologists for an hour of fun, learning and discovery.

They'll dig for real ancient relics, learn amazing fossil facts and make memories they'll never forget.

Dig your own fossils

Kids will have a blast digging for real fossils that they can take home and keep.

Fun and educational

Inspire your little palaeontologist. Our fossil facts and geology games help kids learn as they play.

Suitable for all ages

Our activities follow Key Stage 2 learning pathways but will delight anyone who loves to learn.

What you can expect

Who knew that teaching kids about fossils could be this much fun?

When you take part in one of our interactive fossil digs, you can expect a whole hour of educational fun.

Each dig kicks off with an exciting 30-minute presentation. You'll learn about the ancient history of the Yorkshire Dales and examine some incredible finds, including fossilised dinosaur eggs and a mighty megalodon tooth.

The second half is all about learning through play. Guided by one of our educational specialists, kids can comb through sand to uncover genuine ancient fossils. It's thrilling, hands-on fun.

At the end of the session, each child takes home a learning kit and a bagful of their fossil finds.

Book Tickets!

Where to find us

Book your fossil dig

Want to dig for fossils near you? Our interactive fossil digs take place at Stump Cross Caverns, an ancient underground cave system in the Yorkshire Dales. Here's where to find us:

Stump Cross Caverns

Greenhow Hill

Pateley Bridge

Yorkshire

HG3 5JL

Choose your interactive fossil dig experience

Unlock more fun and better value with a cave and fossil dig discovery package.?

Interactive fossil dig

Includes:

One-hour fossil digging experience

Free educational pack and fossil bag

SEN-friendly experiences on selected dates

Book Tickets!

Interactive fossil dig and cave tour

Includes:

One-hour fossil digging experience
Free educational pack and fossil bag
Free cave quiz
Self-guided cave tour
UV cave experience
SEN-friendly experiences on selected dates

Book Tickets!

Please note: our fossil discovery digs are very popular. Pre-booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

Conistone circular

Best for beginners.

Save for a few rocky slopes, this route is a fairly easy trot. It's ideal if you're out of practice, but still want a little challenge to get the blood pumping.

The walk takes you up a fairly gentle slope overlooking the village of Conistone. When you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the local landscape. Breathtaking.

We recommend going anticlockwise to avoid potentially slippy descents near Conistone. The route takes about an hour and a half if you stroll.

See the route

Grassington and Grass Wood circular

Best for families.

This non-taxing, relatively short route is great for introducing children to the joys of nature.

You'll start in the picturesque village of Grassington, before following the River Wharfe towards Conistone. Keep an eye out for birdlife – if you're lucky, you might spot a kingfisher or two!

The route then veers east, trailing through the Grass Wood nature reserve before heading back to the starting point in Grassington.

The whole thing takes about two hours to complete, though you should allow a little more time if you have children in tow.

See the route

Prosperous lead mine from Pateley Bridge

Best for history fans.

Lead mining plays an important role in the history of Stump Cross. After all, our caverns were discovered by a couple of intrepid lead miners way back in 1860!

Want to relive the glory days of mining in the Dales? This is the route for you. As you trail over rolling fields, you'll visit the remains of several lead mines and catch some stunning scenery on the way.

This walk is rated as moderately difficult, as it has a few rough sections. However, much of the route follows paved roads, so it shouldn't be too tough for seasoned walkers. It takes about two-and-a-half hours.

See the route

Grimworth Reservoir and Appletreewick Pastures circular

Best for a bit of everything.

Want to see a little of everything the Dales can offer? This route takes you over pretty pastures, down gently rolling hills and past the sparkling waters of Grimwith Reservoir. That's a lot of sightseeing to pack into a six-mile stomp!

While you're walking, look out for the traditional drystone walls that line our local fields, as well as an unusual thatched barn close to the water's edge. You might spot a few bobbing boats too, courtesy of the Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club.

The best bit? This walk starts just minutes from Stump Cross, so you can find a place to park, pull on your boots and get started straight away. It's a moderately challenging route that takes about three hours.

See the route

Nidderdale Way and The Coldstones Cut

Best for sightseeing.

Great news for sightseers – we're only a short hop from one of Yorkshire's most impressive pieces of public art.

The Coldstones Cut is a sculpture, a stone maze and a viewing platform rolled into one. Perched on a hill overlooking a limestone quarry, it gives you a front-row seat to gaze at the horizon or watch the machinery at work.

It's possible to park nearby and hike up a footpath to the sculpture. But if you'd rather take the scenic route, try this circular walk instead. It starts and ends at the nearby village of Pately Bridge, trailing past lead mining ruins and through farmland before reaching the sculpture itself.

The route is about 10 miles long, so allow about three hours – plus time to enjoy the sculpture.

See the route