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From humble beginnings in 1954 with just 8 members, the club now has 122 members and has been pivotal in the extension and exploration of many famous Mendip caves. The group's first recorded trip was to Swildon’s Hole. The club's first dig was started at Timber Hole in April of the same year. |
We are a friendly, active group with members living close to the Mendips, throughout the UK and even some who live overseas
Our base is near Charterhouse on Mendip (about 5 miles from Priddy).
From complete beginners to experienced diggers, we cater for all abilities
If you are new to caving we have helmets, lamps and oversuits that you can borrow for your first few trips underground.
Our headquarters, Nordrach Cottage, is within walking distance of several caves including Upper Flood Swallet (one of the best-decorated caves in the UK) and is a short drive from the caves of Charterhouse (including GB, Longwood, Manor Farm) and Burrington (including Goatchurch, Sidcot, Reads Cavern, Rods Pot and Bath Swallet).
We hold keys to the majority of Mendip's gated caves, and we issue Charterhouse Caving Company access permits.
The cottage has a well-stocked caving tacklestore and a comprehensive caving library for members to use. There is sleeping accommodation for up to 30 people, and the building may be booked for guest groups to use. Cottage fees are kept as low as possible - £5.00 per night for members and £6.00 per night for non-members.
To ensure the comfort of our members and guests, there is full central heating by radiators, a multi-fuel stove in the lounge and plenty of hot water for showers.
MCG members will be found underground most weekends; at other times they can be found in the Hunters Lodge Inn.
Many caving trips are arranged informally, but we also have a calendar of trips arranged for the first weekend of every month so that all members can take part.
If you are interested in caving, please contact us and we will arrange a caving trip to suit your ability. All you need is stout footware (wellies are best) and some old but warm clothing.
Image of Departure lounge, Upper Flood Swallet, by Mark Shinwell
On 10th September 2006, after 38 years of exploration, Mendip Caving Group members broke through to some 2km of spectacular passages in Upper Flood Swallet.
On Saturday 2nd February 2013, a new bypass was opened from West Passage to Neverland enabling visitors to admire the fantastic 'Pork Pie Passage'.
As at Dec 2013, 4105m (over 2.5 miles) of passage has been surveyed to a depth of 129 metres (423 feet) and there are still many dig sites where exploration continues. Click here for the survey. To see the cave outline in Google Maps click here
(data from wunderground.com)
MCG are the proud winners of "Best Club Stand" at the 2009 Hidden Earth Conference
Click on the image below to see the stand in 3d (needs Silverlight)
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Page created 12 December 2008, last updated 08 Jan 2017 |
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The object of the Group is, for the benefit of the public, the furtherance of all aspects of the exploration, scientific study and conservation of caves and related features UK Charity Number 270088. Web design by Martin Rowe. Website © Trustees of the Mendip Caving Group 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
