A world of wonder beneath the Forest of Dean

UNDERGROUND explorers are getting ready to celebrate the first international day of caves next week.

The United Nations has declared this Sunday, September 13, as the first international day of caves and karst.

Jan Karvik, Chair, Royal Forest of Dean Caving Club explained, “Caves are naturally formed underground voids that are large enough to be explored by humans, while karst landscapes are formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, shaping distinctive surface and subsurface features.”

Dr Mark Tringham, Chair of caving group Gloucester Speleological Society added: “In Gloucestershire we are very fortunate to have many great caves, mines and above ground karst features to be seen and appreciated by all.”

After over 40 years of exploration searching for the “Symonds Yat Master Cave” in the Forest of Dean local cavers finally dug through a boulder choke at the end of the existing 1.5km long “Redhouse Lane Swallet” on the August 10 2024.

They quickly discovered more than 10.5km of new underground passages and added another Gloucestershire cave to the UK’s “Top 10 Caves”.

"When they see the pictures people will not believe that these huge passages are in the Forest of Dean", said Paul Taylor, Chair of Gloucester Cave Rescue Group on announcing the extension of Redhouse Lane Swallet after the efforts of numerous people over many years.

“It’s an amazing discovery that I have been searching for most of my adult life and I’m indebted to all the cavers who have, over so the years, contributed to this effort.”

Dr Tringham said: “The significance of the new geological structures found in Redhouse Lane Swallet, some beautiful or just undiscovered in the UK before, are of international importance.

Local cavers have ensured that conservation measures and the documentation of all aspects of the cave have been made to exacting standards.”