CAVERN A LAUGH

The ‘incredible’ UK attraction – where visitors are lowered 360ft through a waterfall into a cave

A THRILLING attraction in the UK has been described as both "incredible" and "bucket list stuff" by those who have been brave enough to give it a go.

For anyone who might be afraid of heights or the dark or both, the idea of being lowered from almost 400ft up through a waterfall into a cave might seem like a daunting prospect.

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Twice a year visitors can be lowered down into the cavern on a winchCredit: PA:Press Association
Once down into the cave visitors can explore the network of cavesCredit: Alamy
Caving clubs use floodlights to light up the inside of the cavernCredit: Alamy

However, others have been blown away by their trip down Gaping Gill in Yorkshire, where twice every year, visitors can be lowered into the cavern on a winch.

Thanks to two caving clubs, the and Craven Pothole Club, people can sit on a small seat that then carefully delivers them to the bottom of the chamber in a matter of minutes.

One person who did just that was Tiktok travel account The Reluctant Explorers (), who filmed themselves being dropped down into the cave.

At the start of , they asked: "Would you brave being lowered into the depths of the underworld?!"

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They then explained that they were "winched 110m down the UK's tallest single drop waterfall."

That waterfall is Fell Beck, a local stream that runs through the Dales before plunging into the darkness of Gaping Gill.

In the comments, the Reluctant Explorers described their experience as ";absolute bucket list stuff" with other people agreeing.

One wrote: "Did it this summer - amazing, loved it."

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Another said: "The winch down is truly amazing. it's like being in some kind of movie set when you are on it."

A third added: "Brilliant experience, best thing I’ve done in a long time."

Once down into the chamber, visitors are guided around the extensive system of caves "under the beauty of floodlights, to see the magnificent sights" according to the website.

The cavern measures 475ft long, 82ft wide and 115ft high inside, and is "large enough to contain a cathedral" claims.

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For most of the year, the cave is just a hole in the groundCredit: Alamy
Caving clubs set up winches for two weeks every yearCredit: Alamy
The cave is home to Britain's highest unbroken waterfallCredit: Alamy

They also state that the waterfall is 360ft tall, twice the height of Niagara Falls.

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