Blue John Cavern, Castleton

The Blue John cavern at Castleton is world famous. It is home to eight of the fourteen known varieties of Blue John Stone, a beautiful and ornamental fluor-spar. The mineral has been mined here for centuries and continues to be so in the winter months.

The traditional methods of turning Blue John are still used, and the skill of our craftsmen working in the Original Blue John craft shop in the village of Castleton enable the visitor to view this unique stone at its best

The Blue John Cavern is steeped in history and old mining equipment is on view inside the cavern. Guided tours are conducted through the cave system at short regular intervals. Each tour lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour during which time a series of magnificent natural water-worn caverns are seen.

Blue John can be seen in it's natural state along with stalactites, stalagmites and huge caverns. The trip is a great educational experience for young and old alike.

See the Waterfall Cavern and the Grand Crystallized Cavern with its multi-coloured dome. Visit Lord Mulgraves Dining Room where his Lordship entertained miners, and where fine veins of Blue John can be seen in their natural state in the limestone. Stand in the Variegated Cavern approx. 200 feet high and 30 feet wide.