The entrance to the cave is situated in a cliff face overlooking The Biblins, on the east bank of the River Wye. To reach it, cross the suspension bridge near The Biblins and follow the path downstream. After passing a stretch of high cliff running parallel to the river, continue walking until reaching guide post number six. From there, take the uphill path to point five, then branch left onto a smaller track heading back upstream for about 500 yards. A fenced enclosure marks the area—leave the path and approach the cliff face below it, where the cave entrance is found.
Remnants of a gate are still visible at the entrance, which opens immediately into a large chamber. A main walking-size passage continues from here, and to the left, a crawl leads into a smaller side passage running nearly parallel to the main one, reconnecting near the entrance.
Descending into the cave, the passage slopes gently downwards and enters a vast chamber measuring approximately 30 feet wide, 16 feet high, and 55 feet long. The chamber features numerous flowstone formations and short straw stalactites. Several avens (vertical shafts) rise from the roof.
From this chamber, the main passage continues while another small chamber in the upper left corner hides two more passages. One, partly concealed behind boulders, leads to a network of interlinked parallel passages. Another passage on the right also runs parallel to the main route before reconnecting with it after around 150 feet.
Further along the main passage, a side crawl to the right leads to a beautifully decorated chamber adorned with a crystal floor, fine flowstone walls, and delicate straw stalactites.
Back in the main tunnel, two additional crawls on the left offer access to an upper parallel passage. About 130 feet from the large chamber, the passage splits. The right fork soon narrows and ends after 30 feet, while the left continues for another 90 feet, eventually passing to the side of the upper passage.
Located in Lady Park Wood near The Biblins, is believed to have been worked during Roman times and saw renewed activity after the Second World War. Between 1880 and 1910, it also operated as a show cave, open to the public.
No public access. Nearly all entrances have been gated by the Nature Conservancy Council to protect the bats.
Publications (8)
- BC 22 51
- Bellows p 33 - 35, 75
- Cullingford 1951 78
- CWM 97
- Ford p 114
- Isca Jl 12 30; 14 23-29 S
- Oldham, Tony (1998); Mines of the Forest of Dean; 86 pages
- SWCC N/L June [=Aug] 1951 2