Boreham Cave
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SD927731 | — | Favourable | 153.05 | 2016-01-19 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Cave / Cavern
Landscape processes: Glacial, Karst
Description
Area, 159.4 hectares 393.9 ac. Description Boreham Cave is notable for the exceptional extent of its passages, formed by water moving below the water table under considerable pressure phreatic water. As the adjacent valley of Littondale was enlarged and deepened during the Ice Age so the caves also extended to deeper levels, leaving the upper passages largely free of water. Today some of those passages have been reoccupied by water, others contain glacial deposits, whilst one contains a display of calcite straw stalactites, unsurpassed in Britain. Other Information This site is identified as of national important in the Geological Conservation Review.