Stump Cross Caverns is a cave site, known as a ‘show cave’, as it has been adapted to allow for tourist access, including the addition of lighting, concrete flooring and hand rails. The venue complex also consists of a Visitors Centre, Education Room, Shop and Café.

Address: Stump Cross Caverns, Greenhow Hill, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 5JL

Stump Cross Caverns have created their own accessibility notes available to view on their website - http://www.stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk/about.php - however this pack covers all this information as well as additional notes specifically for the performance.

Additional information specifically about Stump Cross Caverns can be found via the same link: http://www.stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk/about.php

There are steps throughout the venue complex, to the ticket office, on-site café (open until 5pm daily) and the toilets.

Stump Cross Caverns can only be accessed via 65 steps, with hand rails on both sides, and there are also steps within the Cavern itself, which can be wet underfoot. It is therefore unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.

The Caverns consist of some narrow passages, some approximately 1 metre wide, and also have low ceilings in places so visitors may need to stoop to pass through and access the full performance.

Helmets are provided for visitor safety and must be worn at all times.

If you need a personal assistant / support worker to accompany you, for you to attend the performance, please contact us to secure their free assistant’s ticket.

There is disabled parking available in the Stump Cross car park. Please contact us in advance should you wish to reserve a space. All car parking spaces are on hard standing ground.

Contact Kate McStraw, our Producer, via phone 07792 377106 or email katemcstraw@hotmail.co.uk

There is a some travel information available via the Stump Cross Caverns website: http://www.stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk/contact.php

Train

The nearest train stations are Gargrave or Skipton. It is approximately 30 minutes by car from Gargrave or Skipton to Stump Cross Caverns.

For train times, contact the National Rail Enquiry line on 08457 484950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

Free parking on site.

The Stump Cross car park is large enough for drop off / pick-ups to be made by taxi.

• Venue opening times: Stump Cross Caverns is open to the public daily from 10am to 5pm.
  From 5pm onwards, on performance dates (21^st June, 22^nd June, 23^rd June) the venue is open to ticket holders only.
• Arriving at the venue: On arrival, you will approach the venue entrance by walking from the car park area.
• Ticket collection: After you have entered the Visitor’s Centre, you will find a ticket desk on the right-hand side. It is flat level access between the entrance and ticket desk, followed by 65 steps down to the cave entranceway.
  You can print your tickets in advance (via the PDF attached when you book your tickets online) but don’t worry if you can’t print them as there is a door list as well.
• Access contact on site: Should you need to speak to one of us prior to the performance start, please ask at the ticket desk for either Kate or Katie.
• Arrival times: You are advised to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to your selected performance time; if you would like to arrive more than 30 minutes prior to your selected performance time, please contact us in advanced to arrange this.
  Please note that the performance is 45 minutes in duration with no interval.

At this time, we are not able to offer Audio Enhancement such as loops, intra red or mobile connect systems / British Sign Language / Captioning / Audio Description / Relaxed Performances – however this is something we are looking to explore for future performances. Should you have any feedback on this, please do get in contact.

Trained dogs on a lead are allowed in the shop and café, but not in the cave system.

The caves are electrically lit but the lighting levels are purposefully kept low to protect the cave environment. There are periods of reduced lighting and short spells of complete darkness during the performance.

Please note that there will be 2 short moments (approximately 30 seconds long each) of blackout during the performance. This will take place within the cave, where it is total darkness. If you would like any further information on this, please contact us.

The performance in underscored by recorded music throughout, and there is a live musician (song and guitar) performing within the piece. If you would like any further information on this, or copies of the lyrics being sung, please contact us.

The performance takes place within a cave system, which is a consistently cool 7 degrees centigrade. Please dress warmly. Sturdy shoes are recommended.

Pushchairs and baby back carriers are not permitted due to restricted access, however front carriers are permitted.

This is a promenade performance, watching sections of dance at different sites throughout the cave system. It is approximately 45 minutes in duration, and we ask our audiences to stand and walk throughout. Should you need to bring a fold-up seat with you to access the performance, you are welcome to do so, but please inform us on arrival so that we can assist you as required to ensure best sight lines and to inform you of longer sections, where it is most appropriate to sit. All sections are no longer than 5 minutes duration, before walking to the next section. There are also some natural rest points within the caves, such as large rocks, which you may lean/sit on if required during the performance.

At the beginning of the performance the musician, Lou, will hand all audience members a torch, attached to a lanyard, to wear during the performance. This is a safety precaution, meaning you can shine the torch directly up onto the cave ceiling should you need assistance / first aid / wish to leave the performance for any reason. If you shine the torch, one of the performance stewards will come to assist you as required.

Helmets are provided (by the cave entrance) for visitor safety and must be worn at all times.

The performance is approximately 45 minutes in duration with no interval.