Prehistoric Adventures Come to Your Classroom

Explore the Wonders of Paleontology with Cavewoman

Discover a prehistoric world underground

Bring Cavewoman to your school!

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.

Embark on a journey back in time without leaving your school! Cavewoman, the spirited owner of Stump Cross Caverns, and her dedicated team are thrilled to bring the marvels of the ancient world directly to your classroom. This engaging educational experience is perfectly designed to spark children's imaginations and deepen their understanding of Earth's geological and biological history.

A Hands-On Discovery of Fossils and More

Invite Cavewoman from Stump Cross Caverns to your school for a unique, hands-on educational experience that brings the ancient world of dinosaurs into your classroom. Students will engage with real fossils, learn about limestone formation, and delve into Earth's geological history through interactive presentations and activities. They'll create their own 3D ammonite fossils and explore the fascinating concepts of marine sediment layers and continental shifts, all while sparking a lifelong curiosity about our planet's past.

Cavewoman's visit transforms learning into an adventure, offering students a chance to make their own discoveries and start a collection with a bag of gems, fossils, or minerals. This enriching day promises to ignite imaginations school-wide, from an initial assembly to in-depth class sessions, without ever leaving the classroom. Encourage a love of science and history with this unforgettable journey through time.

Explore one of Britain's most beautiful National Parks

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.

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

The magic doesn't stop at Stump Cross. The hills and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales hold their own secrets too.

Feeling adventurous? Make sure you pack your walking boots. There are miles upon miles of scenic beauty to explore around Stump Cross – and much of it is best enjoyed on foot.

Just imagine – a day of discovery in our prehistoric caverns, followed by a brisk walk through our stunning local landscape. Then, to top it off, a spot of tea in our Time Cafe. It doesn't get much better than that.

We've picked out a few of our favourite Yorkshire Walking routes to get you started. All begin close to our visitor's centre near Grassington, North Yorkshire.

Things to keep in mind

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