The history of Poole's Cavern dates back to the Stone Age, where hunters sheltered with their families. This natural limestone cave formed about 2 million years ago, and was also inhabited by humans throughout the Bronze Age and Roman Britannia. Several pieces of Neolithic artefacts, Roman pottery, bones and other remains have been found within the Cavern. There's also evidence to suggest Romano-Britons used this cave for different purposes, including religious practices and metal-working. The name Poole's Cavern is derived from a legendary medieval outlaw called 'Poole', who reputedly used this cave as a hideout to rob innocent travellers back in the 15th Century. Many believed the existence of the outlaw Poole was just a myth, however in recent times a hoard of silver coins dating back to 1440 was discovered in the cave, leading credence that perhaps Poole was a real person after all.

 

Did you know Mary Queen of Scots has a connection to Poole's Cavern? In 1582, there's a story told about Mary's visit to Buxton whilst under the custodianship of the Earl of Shrewsbury, as she enjoyed bathing in the thermal springs. It is said that she also visited Poole's Cavern, and despite her unhappiness, she was delighted by the sight of the cave, so much so she casted her eyes on a large stalactite and proclaimed it be named after her. More than 400 years later, the stalactite called 'Mary Queen of Scots' Pillar' can be viewed by everyone who visits this attraction.

 

Ever since Mary's visit, her past presence attracted thousands of tourists to make their journeys to the cave. In a 1636 book called 'De Mirabilibus Pecci: Being The Wonders of the Peak in Darby-shire' by Thomas Hobbes, he described Poole's Cavern as being one of the Seven Wonders of the Peak, as did poet Charles Cotton in a 1681 poetic essay he wrote.

 

While the Cavern became an impressive showcave for people, a grim reality would seep through the cave's cracks. In the late 18th Century, local cottage tenants were suffering in dire poverty, grasping and fighting for money so they could keep a roof over their heads and feed their families. Many tenants decided the only way to bring in money was to extort and threaten incoming tourists, by pretending to be 'local tour guides'. According to a report from 1797, these cutthroat charlatans would force unwary guests to pay a tour fee, before luring them into the deepest bowels of the Cavern and threaten the tourists to pay them with every penny they had, otherwise violence would commence or even scarier, they would extinguish the candlelight and run away, leaving the innocuous tourists in pitch-black darkness, petrified and lost.

 

In 1853, William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire officially opened up Poole's Cavern as a visitor attraction and showcave. To make sure that the distained reputation this earthly cavity had gained from years previously would disappear, the Duke appointed Mr. Frank Redfern as the first official custodian. Throughout the duration of the Victorian period, Frank would renovate the Cavern by installing handrails, steps and fitted the cave's first lighting system; a series of huge candelabras. The pioneer also implemented a bandstand museum, a monkey house and formal garden walks.

 

In 1859, Frank Redfern replaced the entire candelabra system with a series of 17 gas lamps spread throughout the cave, a revolutionary idea in showcaves at that time. The legacu of these lamps can still be seen throughout Poole's Cavern, with old rusted gas pipes and specs of soot deposits plastered on the walls and roof. Surprisingly, the gas lamps were still glowing as late as 1965, when following the death of Mr. Lesley Alcock (the husband of Frank Redfern's granddaughter Jessie), Poole's Cavern sadly closed down. For the last 120 years, Poole's Cavern remained under the custodianship of the Redfern family, but now the future looked uncertain.

 

Thankfully like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Poole's Cavern was acquired by new owners the Buxton & District Civic Association (now just called Buxton Civic Association or BCA) and after replacing the Victorian gas lamps with 100 new electric lights, Poole's Cavern reopened in 1976 and has stayed open ever since.

 

While the showcave has extensive chambers rooted underground, it's believed that there are many more geological secrets yet to be revealed. With the most recent discovery of new caves at the end of the Sculpture Chamber, it's suggested that future visitors may one day be able to extend their tour further into the rocky earth.

Poole's Cavern is a unique location full of mysteries, histories and of course ghosts, with supernatural occurrences and unexplained paranormal activity witnessed by visitors and staff over the years.

​

In the subterranean caves here, a dark malevolent shadow man has been sensed and seen wandering the paths, with some people suggesting this could be the evil spirit of outlaw Poole himself. Whoever this negative entity is, he'll make sure you run out scared when his horrid growls are heeded in the dead of night.

​

Strange light anomalies are seen in the Great Dome Chamber hovering above the steps and the water to the side of the walkway. Who is causing these strange and disturbing projections of light? It's possible that these could be the energies of past souls from thousands of years ago who inhabited the Cavern for shelter and warmth. It's also within the Great Dome Chamber and the Roman Chamber that ghostly screams and disembodied voices have been heard by staff when opening and locking up, leaving them to make a quick exit.

​

Throughout Poole's Cavern, visitors have felt like they are being pushed during times when tours are taking place as well as the dreaded feeling that someone or something is standing right behind you. It's as if the bustling actions of former Victorian tourists and those who were led astray by deceitful guides are still walking these very same paths; their spiritual energies stamped within these cave walls. People have also felt sudden emotions and nausea that come on randomly now and then, and investigators from nearly two decades ago picked up on ghost children in these caves too.

​

Another interesting paranormal experience that's been reported here is the ghost of a Black Lady. She's been described by some Mediums being of taller-than-average height, wearing a black farthingale gown with pearls embroided and a white headdress. Some speculate this is the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots, however we will never until we call out during our investigation, in the hopes that if the stories are true, her spectre will hopefully answer that question.

​

Grin Low Woods is notoriously known for its supernatural sightings leaving walkers baffled by what they've seen. Large orbs have been reported floating around the tops of trees, before dimming into the darkness. But perhaps the most chilling phenomena reported around these woods are the ghostly procession of cloaked and hooded figures. They have been seen walking together while carrying bright fiery torches, eventually gathering in a circle at the top of the Hill near Solomon's Temple, where chanting has been heard. People walking in the woods at night have described these two pieces of paranormal phenomena in great detail, so what is causing such happenings?

DATE: Saturday 13th July 2024

 

TIMES: 8:00pm - 1:00am (Arrive 15 minutes early. Please wait patiently outside the main building entrance until a member of our team greets you at the door for registration)

 

LOCATION: Poole's Cavern, Green Lane, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9DH

 

PARKING AT EVENT: On-site Car Park.

 

REMAINING BALANCE: Needs to be paid FOUR WEEKS prior to the event date. Failure to pay your remaining balance before this deadline will result in you forfeiting your places and your places will be sold on.

 

WHAT TO BRING: A torch, a warm coat/jacket, sensible footwear, any equipment you wish to bring along (your responsibility), your positive and open-minded energies.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Bringing alcohol or drugs to this event is strictly prohibited. If anyone arrives at the event under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they will not be allowed to stay for the night and will be asked to leave immediately.