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Creswell Crags
Type:Cave/Cavern Attraction
Welbeck
Worksop
Nottinghamshire
S80 3LH
About
During the last Ice Age, between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago, Creswell Crags was among the most northerly places on earth to have been visited by our ancient ancestors, a story that is unique on a European and World scale.
Wooly mammoths roamed the lands around Creswell Crags, and nomadic Neanderthal man sought shelter in Creswell Crags’ caves whilst they were following these migrating animals.
Creswell Crags is a limestone gorge honeycombed with caves and smaller fissures. Stone tools and remains of animals found in the caves by archaeologists provide evidence for a fascinating story of life during the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago.
Home to Britain’s only known example of Ice Age cave art, dated 13,000 years old, it is simply dripping in history to be explored.
Cave tours to this incredible site run throughout the year, so why not transport yourself back in time, immerse yourself in the history and beauty of Creswell Crags, and see artefacts, hand tools, and other fascinating things our Ice Age ancestors left behind., and in particular, 2003, when the Cave Art was discovered and the site was propelled into world famous status.
Explore the award-winning museum to explore where some of the most famous discoveries from Creswell Crags are housed. Get up close and personal to the artefacts of this incredibly fascinating place.
Cave tours run regularly and booking in advance is recommended.
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | £3.00 per adult | |
| Over 60s and Students | £2.00 per concession |
Museum exhibition entry. Cave tours are individually priced
Gift aid prices are £3.30 for adults and £2.20 for concessions
Exhibition Entry is free for children under 16
Awards
- Visit England
VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2019 - Regional and Miscellaneous
WTTC Safe Travels 2021
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled access
- Disabled toilets
- Facilities for hearing impaired
- Facilities for visually impaired
Booking & Payment Details
- Credit cards accepted (no fee)
Catering
- On-site catering
- On-site light refreshments
- Picnic site
Children
- Baby changing facilities
- Children welcome - Children under 5 are not allowed in the caves. Children under 16 must be accompanied by and adult on cave tours.
Groups
- Education/study area
- Facilities for educational visits
- Facilities for groups
Parking
- Parking with charge - £4.00 per car, up to 3 hours. £6.00 per car, all day.
Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted - The gorge and café are dog friendly but dogs are not accepted on cave tours (except for assistance dogs)
- Public toilets
- Smoking not allowed
Site Features
- Welcome Host
Target Markets
- Accepts groups
- Coach parties accepted
Opening Times
| Season (1 Mar 2023 - 30 Sept 2023) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Sunday | 10:00 | - 17:00 |
| Season (1 Oct 2023 - 31 Oct 2023) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Sunday | 10:00 | - 16:30 |
| Season (1 Nov 2023 - 31 Dec 2023) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Saturday - Sunday | 10:00 | - 16:30 |
* These are opening times for the Museum exhibition. Cave tours run regularly within these times but find out more by clicking the website link at the top of the page
Please note that the Café closes 30 minutes before the Museum and Visitor Centre.
The Car Park will Close 30 minutes after the Museum and Visitor Centre. You will still be able to leave after this time, as the exit gate is on a sensor
The gorge is a public bridleway and is open to walk around all year, via the public paths from Creswell and Welbeck
TripAdvisor
- Excellent616
- Very Good224
- Average50
- Poor18
- Terrible12
Map & Directions
Road Directions
From North/South Leave M1 motorway at junction 30 and take A616. At next roundabout take 2nd exit and at next roundabout take 1st exit. At next roundabout take 2nd exit. Continue on A616 to traffic lights at awkward junction and bear left (A616). Continue on A616 passing under low bridge. Continue past rail station sign in Creswell then turn left at brown sign for Creswell Crags Visitor Centre (B6042, Crags Road). Follow road for approx ½ mile and turn right, then turn left into car park.
From East Follow A617 to the M1 motorway roundabout and take 4th exit (M1 north). Leave M1 at junction 30, then follow route from North/South.
From West Follow A619 to Chesterfield. At traffic light controlled roundabout (Matalan) select middle lane and take 3rd exit. Keep in left lane and at traffic lights go straight on. At next roundabout select right hand lane and take 3rd exit. At next roundabout select left lane and take 2nd exit (A617). In approx 4 miles reach M1 motorway roundabout. Select left lane and take 1st exit (M1 north). Leave M1 at junction 30 and follow route from North/South.
Public Transport Directions
Nearest train station Creswell, approximately 1 mile away.
Bus number 77 or 77A from Chesterfield town centre, alight at Creswell then a walk of about one mile to the Crags
