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Gaping Gill is perhaps Britain's most famous cave. From the moor on the flanks of Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales, Fell Beck plunges 105 metres (360 feet) into the Main Chamber; Britain's biggest known cave chamber.

The Whitsun Gaping Gill Winch Meet has been held by the BPC for over 50 years.
Every year, non-cavers have the chance to see a truly awe- inspiring underground scene; the Main Chamber of Gaping Gill. As well as being Britain's biggest known cave chamber, the water from Fell Beck landing on the chamber floor is Britain's highest unbroken waterfall. Descending the 105m Main Shaft (Britain's deepest surface shaft) is an experience never forgotten, and many visitors return year after year, becoming familiar faces to be welcomed back as old friends. The Chamber is floodlit, allowing the public and cavers alike a view not normally available outside winch meets.

The Gaping Gill system is one of England's longest and most complex cave systems. As well as the Main Shaft, the system has six other principal entrances; Bar Pot, Flood Entrance Pot, Stream Passage Pot, Disappointment Pot, Henslers Pot and Corky's Pot. These entrances unite underground, and the water sinking in the system eventually emerges into daylight at Ingleborough Cave, a showcave passed on the walk up to GG.
The connection between the two caves was made by cave divers negotiating flooded sections of passage called sumps, using breathing apparatus.
The other entrances are not suitable for non (or inexperienced) cavers, who should use the winch. Any cavers using other entrances should book in with the Controller (even if not using the winch) so we can keep track of who is in the system. Visitors are strongly advised to wear suitable clothes; the sort of outfit you might wear for hillwalking on a wet winter day; warm clothes, waterproofs, hat and gloves. There can be a wait at busy times, and it gets cold and wet both above and below ground. Plastic suits and helmets can be borrowed from us, and caving helmets, lights and other equipment can be hired from Bernies or Inglesport in Ingleton.

Gaping Gill is best approached from the village of Clapham, North Yorkshire, just off the A65 between Settle and Ingleton. From the National Parks car park in the centre of the village, cross the river via the footbridge and follow the signs for Ingleborough Cave. Pass the showcave and follow the obvious path up Trow Gill, cross the stile at the top and follow the path which goes across the moor to the top of Ingleborough. Gaping Gill is at the side of the path. The walk from Clapham takes around an hour and gains about a thousand feet of altitude. Although signposted, the walk is on rough paths in hill country; the weather can change quickly and visitors should be suitably equipped for hillwalking.

See how we set up the winch or visit the GG Gallery