Geode cracking at a cave near you: Geode James's Geode Shack

Drive along the road between Grassington and Pateley Green and you might not realise you're in the presence of ancient limestone caves.

Sure, the scenery is spectacular – a classic slice of the Yorkshire Dales. But you have to descend 65 steps before you see the stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations that make Stump Cross Caverns so special.

In this respect, Stump Cross Caverns is quite like a geode. These are rocks that don't look like much on the surface. There's a reason why they're known in Somerset as "potato stones". But crack them open and you uncover a sparkling crystal interior.

These crystals take millions of years to form. Millions! And here they are, ready to be cracked open and kept. It's things like this that make us so passionate about our geological past.
And now we're introducing a new experience at Stump Cross Caverns: geode cracking in our geode shack.

Geode cracking at Geode James's Geode Shack

How does it work?

Come to Geode James's Geode Shack and you'll see a fine selection of geodes. Big ones, small ones, medium-sized ones. You buy a geode that takes your fancy and we crack it open for you.


The fun is in the surprise. The outside of a geode tells you virtually nothing about its contents. But the insides can vary dramatically both in the shape and the colour of the crystals.

And as if that wasn't enough, you get to take the newly-cracked geode home with you. Whether you're a collector in search of a new specimen or a curious visitor looking for an ornament, we guarantee it'll be a gorgeous addition to your home.

Who's it for?

Simple answer: anyone! We welcome visitors from everywhere and anywhere. Geode cracking is great fun for children and adults, collectors and non-specialists alike. All you need is an open mind.

What are geodes?

The word "geode" comes from the Ancient Greek for "earth-like". And earth-like they are, both in their appearance and the remarkable way they form.
The crystals inside a geode form when mineral-rich water seeps into a hollow cavity. This takes a long time – and we mean a long time. The crystals you can hold in your hand are millions of years old.

Once dug out of the ground, geode crystals can be dyed with artificial colours. But the natural colours are often extremely beautiful too.

Where are geode rocks found?

Geode rocks can be found all over the world. Commercial varieties often come from Brazil, Mexico, Namibia and Uruguay.


They're found in some states of the USA (western Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri and Utah). In the UK, there are many specimens to be found in Somerset's Mendip Hills.
Want to try geode cracking here at Geode James's Geode Shack in the Yorkshire Dales? It's easy to reserve a geode online . That way, you definitely won't miss out on a cracking bit of fun.