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BENEATH THE RIDGE: CAVES AND MINES
The Sandstone Ridge Trust is hoping to create a comprehensive list of the natural and man-made caves, rock shelters and other cavities beneath the Ridge.
The Ridge features a series of sandstone caves, mostly in the western-facing escarpment, from Frodsham in the north to Overton Scar in the south. Many have been extended and exploited by human activity. No systematic study of these caves has been undertaken but it is thought that some caves have associations that stretch back into pre-historic times. There has certainly been activity in the caves recorded from the eighteenth century, involving both habitation and industrial activity but this has been poorly documented and little understood. Copper mining has also been conducted on the Ridge and suspected prospectors' shafts exist in a number of places.
At this stage we are asking anyone who knows of a cave, shelter or mine-shaft in their neighbourhood to let us know about it. It would be helpful to be given the exact location (Ordnance Survey grid reference if possible), the name of the landowner, if known, and any stories that are associated with it. The complete list will then form the basis of future projects, investigating the caves for their histories and environmental value.
Please note: we are not asking anyone to visit or enter caves at this stage. The Trust will manage this in the future, subject to appropriate access permissions, health and safety and environmental risk assessments. The Sandstone Ridge Trust cannot accept any responsibility for personal injury when exploring the Ridge.
Please Contact Us if you would like to help us.