Kitley Show Cave

Kitley Show Cave is a solution cave in Yealmpton, Devon, England. Originally discovered by quarrying, it used to be open to the public as a show cave, but is now closed.

The cave is a fragment of a system associated with the River Yealm, which was exposed by quarrying. The main show cave has two entrances 33 metres apart, both of which lead to the same extensive bedding plane chamber. Originally low, the passages were enlarged by archaeological excavation, and the two entrance passages were originally separated until connected by excavation between 1820 and 1835. The show cave is very short. The Lower Entrance to the north, which is only a little above river level, enters a short passage which after 8 metres passes a flooded passage on the right the water level of which fluctuates with that of the River Yealm. This sumps after 10 metres . The main route goes off to the left along a winding passage for some 20 metres to where some steps on the left lead down into The Bedding Plane Chamber. Straight on the passage enlarges, with a large passage to the right leading to a boulder choke. This was passed to reach a chamber some 15 metres high, but the route has since collapsed. To the left, the main path also enters The Bedding Plane Chamber, a low chamber with an area of over 46 square metres . At the far end some steps enter a passage leading to the Upper Entrance. The caves are bat roosts and the Greater Horseshoe, Lesser Horseshoe, and Natterer's bats have all been recorded.

Wikipedia