The 2025 Bradford Pothole Club Winch meet has now finished. Thankyou to everyone for making it such an enjoyable and successfull event! For the August meet, please visit the CPC website.
Saturday 23rd to Friday 29th May 2026
Booking: Advanced tickets for 2026 are not yet available. Information will appear here in due course or follow our Facebook page for announcements. No other agent or website sells tickets.
Access: Gaping Gill can only be accessed on foot, with the most direct route starting in the village of Clapham, North Yorkshire. Please allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the walk, going via the Ingleborough Cave Nature Trail. You will also need to to be able to climb up and down a short ladder to access the winch.
Opening Times: Saturday 23rd to Thursday 28th – 8am with the last descent at approximately 6pm. Friday 29th – 8am with the last descent at approximately 11am.
Clothing: Appropriate clothing is required, such as thermals, insulated jacket, waterproof trousers/coat and sturdy footwear.
You are booking a ticket for a return trip on the BPC winch which also allows access through the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail (just show your booking confirmation at the trail hut).
A booking confirmation will be sent to the email address you use at the time of booking. You must have this booking confirmation with you either electronically or printed by you beforehand.
The ticket you book is for a specific hour time slot; your descent could be anytime within this time slot.
To descend, children must be at least 6 years old, be able to follow instructions, and be able to sit still for at least 90 seconds, as they will descend/ascend in the chair solo.
All descents are individual – 1 person per chair. The weight limit is 150kg / 23 stone.
You should arrive at Gaping Gill approximately 30 minutes before the hour time slot you have booked. The walk to Gaping Gill can take from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your fitness. Please allow enough time for the walk late arrivals may miss their descent.
Visitors booked to descend into Gaping Gill will need to be able to climb up and down a short ladder to access the chair.
When you arrive at Gaping Gill please go to the large white tent at the bottom of the steps and show your booking confirmation. You will be issued a numbered tag, helmet, and further instructions.
Appropriate clothing is required. This should be warm thermal base layers or similar, insulated warm jackets, waterproof trousers and waterproof coat, hat and gloves are recommended and sturdy suitable footwear. Anyone not wearing suitable clothing may be refused a descent.
Once in the cave chamber you may spend as long as wish before returning to the surface. When you are ready to return join the queue in the middle of the chamber, a Marshall is on duty should you have any questions or issues.
Example itinerary
Ticket booked for 0900-1000hrs
Arrive Gaping Gill 0830hrs report to the booking in tent, receive further instructions and your numbered tag.
Descent of Gaping Gill will be anytime between 0900-1000hrs
Enjoy the Main Chamber and return to the surface when you are ready.
