Join us for a privately organised visit to the Bones Cave in Buckfastleigh where there is one of the most important and extensive deposit of bones of animals which lived on Dartmoor during the Last Interglacial Period of about 125,000 years ago. The Visitors Centre Tour Guide will tell us about the caves geology and history of the animals bones that included spotted hyena, bison, hippopotamus, extinct rhino, wolf, red fox, brown bear, badger, wild cat and lion, wild boar, giant as well as fallow dear, and straight-tusked elephants.
There is a also a wealth of information in the visitors centre which you are welcome to visit after our walk together.
Tickets
FEE: £15 adult. £10 child. Group size is limited so pre-booking is essential.
50% of the ticket price goes to the The Pengelly Trust which was established in 1962 to further the study of caves and to promote the conservation of the cave environment.
We need to retain contact details for 21 days post-walk so please include your contact details (email and mobile/telephone when booking/paying.)
Location:
9.45am for 10am start at the Pengelly Centre, Russets Lane, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0DY.
Directions - Russets Lane is a very small and sharp turning off the main Buckfastleigh to Ashburton road. If you turn off the A38 at the Buckfastleigh turning, and turn left at the small roundabout towards the Otter & Butterfly Sanctuary (brown sign), Russet’s Lane is just 200-300 metres along this road on the right hand side. The Pengelly Centre is at the top of this small lane with parking at the top.
Parking is very limited so CAR SHARING is strongly encouraged please. And this helps our environmental impact. Please email if you can offer or need a lift - info@dartmoorsdaughter.com
Further Information
WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Sturdy walking shoes; plenty of warm layers; waterproof jacket and trousers (whatever the forecast); snacks, and a drink. Inside the cave, everyone is required to wear a hard hat (supplied) for safety.
Sorry no dogs.
We also recommend bringing personal masks, a pair of disposable gloves each, and a personal first aid kit. (From a safety perspective, this offers additional protection against Covid-19 if there were to be an accident and first aid is required by me or the rescue teams. Sorry we know it seems onerous but, given current government guidelines, these are currently being proposed by all guides.
LEVEL: Easy - approximately 1 mile. The paths are gentle but up and down hill with some slippery stones.
Route is dependent on weather conditions and group pace.
CANCELLATION: The event will go ahead come rain or shine. Payments are refunded (less the booking fee) for cancellations no less than six weeks before your walk or experience.
Dartmoor’s Daughter has received the ‘We’re Good to Go’ Industry Standard Certificate. If you have a cold, flu, cough, temperature or are diagnosed with COVID-19 please do not join the walk. You will be able to transfer your booking to another walk.
RISK: Walks and activities are at your own risk. No liability accepted for accidents or incidents.
(This cave system is an important winter hibernating site for Greater and Lesser Horseshoe Bats so is closed from mid September until after Easter. The cave may be visited by the general public as a part of the Guided Walks scheme on Wednesdays and Thursdays in August every year at 11am and 2pm.)