To explore the deeper parts of the Clearwell Caves complex, you have a few options for parking. You can either park at the Garden Centre after obtaining permission or use the layby at Oakwood Bottom with the coordinates NGR SO 597 066. The entire wooded area is riddled with scowles and open shafts, some of which have been utilized for cave diver training. There are two main sites to explore: China Engine (refer to relevant documentation) and a significant surface shaft known as ‘The Chasm’.

‘The Chasm’
From the Garden Centre, follow the track down through the forest gate and continue along the main track, descending a slope and crossing over a stile. Eventually, you’ll come across a large flooded pit surrounded by bushes, with a substantial stream flowing into it – this is ‘The Chasm’. Notably, the water level here can fluctuate by up to 50 feet, with the lowest levels typically observed in November to December and the highest levels in April to May. Nearby, there’s a small entrance that connects with the main one, as well as a dry entrance above in the woods. Additional information can be found under Oakwood Mill Land Level. Another smaller flooded shaft can be reached by following the path from the car park. At the bottom of the slope, an obvious path into the woods leads to a fenced shaft with a muddy and unstable entrance, requiring a rope for safe descent. On the far side of this shaft, a hole leads into dry workings, eventually reaching water after a short distance. The underwater passages lead toward China Engine Mine.

‘China Engine Mine’
To find China Engine Mine, continue along the path past some hollows until reaching a path on the right. Follow this path through the bushes, alongside a decaying fence, until it descends into a hollow with a sloping tube leading into a chamber. There’s another entrance on the far side, and the way forward is halfway up the slope to the second entrance. A crawl leads down to a 6-foot climbable pitch into a large mined passage. Follow the well-worn track past a deep pit until reaching the sump passage, measuring 30 x 30 feet and passing over some pits that are 40 feet deep. A total depth of over 300 feet is claimed.