Clearwell Caves

Step into a Secret Underground World

Experience a world 100 feet beneath the Forest of Dean to discover a natural cave network, later extended through 4,500 years of iron and ochre mining, by generations of miners that included women and young children. Clearwell Caves is one of the UK’s most unique family attractions — a natural cave system, that was mined, turned public museum, art space, and adventure destination.

Explore a self-guided route through 10 awe-inspiring caverns, revealing an important part of the Forest of Dean’s extraordinary 350 million-year journey, until deep iron mining ended in 1945. It’s an unforgettable day out for families, explorers, history lovers, and curious minds of all ages.

📍 Near Coleford, Forest of Dean
🗓️ Open Thursday to Monday, 10am–5pm (last entry 4.00pm, we close when everyone has gone through at their own pace).

Opening dates and times vary, so please check the Caves website for details https://clearwellcaves.tygit.com/shop/groups/pk/2c69c0de173c2c507e3e99ad596384f2

Unearth a Legacy of Mining & Colour

For thousands of years, the Forest of Dean’s iron and ochre mines were a hub of industry. At Clearwell Caves, you’ll discover the dramatic story behind these minerals – and the families that dug them from the earth, to make tools and machinery and ochre for paints. Ochre is still mined here today on a small scale to make artists' pigment for paints.

Explore 10 caverns, where you can often meet Freeminers, whose ancient birthright grants them permission to mine for minerals even today. See artefacts from centuries of mining, and learn how miners including women and children once carried up to 70lbs of ore – test your strength on-site if you’re feeling brave!

💡 Did you know? Natural red, yellow, brown and purple ochres are still mined here – used as pigment by artists across the UK and further. Where Art, Geology and History meet. Worked for well over 4,500 years, this is the last working ochre mine in Britain.

As Seen on Screen

The atmospheric caverns have appeared in numerous film and TV productions, including:
Doctor Who, Merlin, His Dark Materials, Willow, The Change, The Winter King, Cursed, Britannia, Da Vinci's Demons, Arthur, Grim and many more.

Relax Above Ground

Refuel after your underground adventure in our Lamproom Café, serving:

☕ Organic barista-made coffees
🍰 Fresh cakes, bakes, and sandwiches
🍃 Indoor & outdoor seating
🧸 Children's play area

Pop into our unusual Gift Shop, where you’ll find handmade ceramics, fossils, crystals, jewelry, — and artist-grade ochre pigment mined right here.

🐾 Dogs welcome everywhere above ground, but not underground in the Caves.

Feeling Adventurous? Try Adventure Caving

Book a guided Adventure Caving experience and venture deep beyond the public areas. Crawl, walk, climb, and squeeze through the caverns and passageways of Clearwell’s wild underworld. You get a little dirty but great fun. Suitable for ages 7+. (Under 18's must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian). 
🎟️ Pre-booking essential — check our website for available dates.

Getting Here

From Coleford, take the B4228 towards Lydney. After 1 mile, turn right to Clearwell. Follow brown tourist signs to Clearwell Caves.

🅿️ Free parking available
🧺 Picnic areas nearby
🚶♀️ Great walking routes across Clearwell Meend (Common)

Plan Your Visit

🗓️ In the summer, Open Thursday to Monday, 10am–5pm (last entry 4.30pm)
🎟️ Adults £14 | Concessions £13 | Children (5-16) £11
👨👩👧👦 Family tickets available
🌐 Book online and explore more at clearwellcaves.com