A23 D302 Conisbrough Caves South

Site information

Site name: Conisbrough Caves South

Site key: D302

Grid reference: [SK 511 985] (west end)

Site type: cave

Local authority: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, South Yorkshire

Site dimensions: Site owner: DMBC?

Conservation status: Regionally Important Geological Site Date: 17/5/97

Field surveyor: Tony Gibbs, Derbyshire Caving Association Date: 1997

Stratigraphy and rock types

Time unit: Permian Rock unit: Cadeby Formation, Zechstein Group

Rock type: Dolostone Details: Massive bedded dolostone

Site map

(Figure 113) — D302 Conisbrough Caves South

This map is based upon Ordnance Survey topographic material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: 100017897 [2007]

Site description

The 1997 RIGS Survey included an assessment of cave systems along the Don Gorge by Tony Gibbs of the Derbyshire Caving Association. The notes from this survey are included below. On 4th March 1997, accompanying Tony Gibbs, the following notes were made:

The site entrance to the cave is located at [SK 51077 98199]. It is accessible only over a barbed wire fence and by negotiating a very steep rocky face using tree branches and rope. Considered to be very risky and hazardous. Otherwise, access is by climbing or abseiling with ropes. Nonetheless the cave, which has an enlarged shelter at the entrance, is very heavily littered and very blackened from fires so is obviously used. The steps running up from the Doncaster Road are also very heavily littered. The speleological interest relates to the position of the cave in relation to an active spring line, with the possibility of associated flow stones and related sedimentary deposits. This is apparently extremely rare. The position of the spring may relate to the presence of a faultline and juxtaposition of the Permian limestone with Carboniferous shales.

Holywell [SK 5112 9815] Altitude: 40 m Length; 1 metre

Description: Cannot be entered. Open access beside main road. Permission required from Highways Dept. for digging or detailed study. The whole site needs tidying up. It is an historic site, and an important rising. There is a capped well at a spring line on the west side of the A630 road. The Well water used to flow beneath the road into ponds which used to provide water for the brewery (Holywell) across the road, which is sadly no longer there. The well was also used at one stage for watering horses. There is still a strong flow of water from the well. Sometimes this is sufficient to rise above the capping and flow onto the road. It was in 1995 found to be sadly neglected. The above information was given to me by Tony Greathead during a visit to the site in Feb. 1995.

Main points of interest: Natural spring and hydrologically important. Requires further speleological investigation.

Holywell Quarry Cave [SK 511 981] Altitude: 50 m Length; 5 m

Description; Access is strictly by permission from the owner of the old quarry on the Doncaster Road. There are two entrances high in the back of the quarry. The entrance on the left is larger. The site might benefit from archaeological digging. There is one large chamber with evidence of solution development. A rift just inside the left entrance can be seen to continue. Digging in the floor might gain entry. This rift is directly above Holywell at the roadside below. If it could be forced, it would be the first Magnesian Limestone Cave to reach the present water table and any accompanying development.

Main points of interest: Rift development, with potential archaeological interests. Solution evidence needs further investigation. Further details of the site available from the Derbyshire Caving Association

RIGS assessment of site value

Ratings: 1–2 very poor; 3–4 poor; 5–6 acceptable/useful; 7–8 quite good; 9–10 very good/excellent; N/A not applicable; D/K don't know

Access and safety

Aspect/Description/Rating

Road access & parking Limited on street parking in residential area. Site located on very busy main road. Rating: 4

Safety of access Hazardous. Requires access with ropes. Rating: 1

Safety of exposure Located on ledge in old quarry face. Hazardous. Rating: 1

Permission to visit By permission of owner of old quarry. Spring is accessible off public footpath. Rating: 5

Current condition Full of rubbish and damaged by fire. Well is maintained. Rating: 5

Current conflicting activities Misuse of site and vandalism

Restricting conditions Very poor access to cave

Nature of exposure Cave in old quarry face. Natural spring line

Multiple exposures/prospect for trail Potential for quick stop on a day field trip

Notes The cave is basically inaccessible, except with climbing equipment

Culture, heritage & economic

Aspect/Description/Rating

Historic, archaeological & literary associations Local historical value as a water supply. Rating: 6

Aesthetic landscape Not applicable. Rating: 0

History of earth sciences Potential speleological significance if research and excavation of cave undertaken. Rating: 5

Economic geology Local association as water supply to an old brewery. Rating: 0

Notes Local interest value

Education and science

Surface processes Potential solution processes associated with spring line 6

Geomorphology Cave. Evidence of rifting and slumping 6

Sedimentary Cave. Evidence of rifting and slumping 5

Fossils Not applicable 0

Igneous Not applicable 0

Metamorphic Not applicable 0

Tectonic: structural Evidence of rifting. Spring potentially associated with the fault 0

Minerals Not applicable 0

Stratigraphy Not applicable. Rating: 0

Notes Main interests relate to the spring and its potential association with a fault

Geodiversity value

Speleological research potential. Spring line associated with fault. Historic associations. Rating: 8

Site photographs D302 Conisbrough Caves South

(Figure 114) Holy Well Spring. [SK 51077 98199].

(Figure 115) Entrance to Holy Well Cave. [SK 51077 98199].