On this page are annotated photos showing the locations of many of the caves in the valley. Also photos showing conservation work done on various cave entrances. Click on a thumbnail to see the full sized version.
Darfar Pot Top Entrance and Moonmilk Pot before any work - March 2005.
Bent Chisel Pot in June 2006 showing the fill removed to restore it to it's former depth as described in the audit.
Bent Chisel Pot in May 2006 with new manhole frame and cover.
Bent Chisel Pot in February 2005 before any conservation or restoration work had been done. The entrance is wide open to the river.
The new hinged entrance grille of Ladyside Pot - Autumn 2006.
Darfar Pot Top Entrance (after repairs) - August 2005.
Darfar Pot Top Entrance (before repairs) - August 2005.
The rubbish brought out of Elderbush Cave in October 2006.
Wetton Mill Main Sink / Darfar Ridge Area Caves - Autumn 2006.
Magic Mushroom Resurgance doing it's thing during Autumn 2006.
Darfar Pot Top Entrance and Moonmilk Pot after the blocked oil drum shaft was re-opened and replaced by a permanent concreted shaft and manhole cover - March 2007.
The new grille placed on Magic Mushroom Resurgance in July 2006.
Riverside Swallet entrance - June 2006.
The new entrance grille of Redhurst Swallet - Spring 2006. All the rocks to the left of the grille have by now been concreted in.
Riverside 2 with it's new manhole frame and cover - August 2005.
Riverside Swallet entrance shaft with movable access bar closed. (It just needs lifting and sliding to the left to gain access.)
Riverside Swallet entrance shaft with access bar open.
Snowhole before it's new lid was added - Autumn 2005.
Snowhole after it's new manhole frame and cover was fitted - Spring 2006.
Thor's Crag Area Caves - Autumn 2006.
Annotated view towards main sink area from downstream - Summer 2005.
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK HELPING US MONITOR THE CONDITION OF OUR IMPORTANT CAVE RESOURCE IN DERBYSHIRE -HOWEVER BECAUSE YOU DID SUCH A GOOD JOB THE FIRST TIME – WE NEED YOUR HELP AGAIN – IF YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED - READ ON.......
Through the excellent work already undertaken by the joint partnership with Derbyshire Caving Association and Natural England, the majority of Derbyshire’s important SSSI underground caves have now had an initial assessment – but we need to continue to have a ‘live record’ of the status of these caves and you can help by the returning the monitoring forms which are provided for free on this website, which enables us to continue to protect and you to continue to enjoy, this valuable underground resource.
In return for your information Natural England are able to provide financial support to DCA which allows them to carry out, not only much needed surface works, but also the acquisition of essential equipment, resulting in benefits for the whole of the caving community in helping to conserve our wonderful systems but ensuring essential works are funded allowing continued safe access. Natural England has a statutory duty to report on the condition of this protected (SSSI) underground resource in Derbyshire Staffordshire many by the end of March 2010- see caves in bold/red on the monitoring area of the website – so please help us by getting those forms returned.......
How you can help:
It’s really important that you return your forms to Dave Webb - DCA his address is on base of forms, or by email-
In return we hope to be able to post on the website those that have been monitored and so you will be able to see your progress.
When taking part in a trip within any of the caves listed on this website ensure you take a form underground with you and post back to Dave ASAP. (We really don’t mind how covered in mud it is!)
Please feel free to make comments on anything you see underground – including suggestions for clean- up work or anything about the features or general environment that you think we should know about.
Thank you for all you good work which will ensure we keep our SSSI caves in good condition and recreational caving safe in Derbyshire.
Bradwell Dale Area 
