The access procedure to visit Redcliffe Caves has now been agreed with Bristol City Council; and is outlined below.

Firstly let me tell you a little about the trips. They are run by the Axbridge Caving Group (ACG), on behalf of Bristol City Council who owns the Caves. The meeting place is in front of the cave entrance, which is located on Phoenix Wharf; this is just around the corner from The Ostrich Pub. The trips take about two hours and consist of a guided tour around the Redcliffe area of Bristol for about one hour (weather permitting) with a commentary explaining the historical facts relating to the area. Then an hour underground, also with a commentary, so what has been referred to above ground can easily be related to what is still below ground.

The caves are dry with only the occasional puddle that can easily be avoided, but I suggest that stout shoes are worn. The Red Sandstone that the caves are cut from can lightly stain clothing so an old coat could be worn to prevent this. The caves are not cold, just a pleasant temperature. There is no lighting so please bring an efficient torch (Please ensure that every person in the group is informed of this fact). The trip is suitable for all ages and we have also taken people in wheelchairs around the majority of the caves. The caves that you will be visiting are roomy, there is no crawling and on only a couple of occasions you will be required to stoop.

PROCEDURE FOR GUIDED TOURS OF REDCLIFFE CAVES

1. On receipt of this letter consult your group and pick out two or three convenient dates for the tour. I would prefer if the tours could take place on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening; they start at 7.30 PM, but weekend trips can be arranged. The numbers that can be safely escorted around the caves should not exceed 25. However the cost for the trip, say for twelve people, would be about £2 a head to cover the Council charge, which is £25 regardless of the numbers on the trip.

2. e-mail me at toursandresearch@yahoo.com or telephone me on 01761 452288 to agree a date. Could you also inform me of the size of your party and their age group? A group of energetic youngsters would not be too happy with me rambling on for a couple of hours so the visit will be geared to the requirements of the group. Please could you also supply your address, a contact telephone number and where possible an e-mail address.

3. Inform Mr. Richard Smith - City Docks Manager, Harbour Master’s Office, Underfall Yard, Cumberland Road, Bristol BS1 6XG by letter giving the date of the trip and also enclosing a cheque for £25 (this covers access fees and is paid to Bristol Council). The envelope should be marked Redcliffe Cave Tours.

4. Richard Smith then forwards an Indemnity Form and Licence to you.

5. Both forms should then be completed and signed by a representative from your party who will be on the guided tour. A copy of the Licence should be taken and retained and then both the completed forms should be forwarded back to Richard Smith.

6. One week before the visit please could you give me a ring to verify if every thing is still OK.

7. On the evening of the trip bring along the copy of the Licence and give it to me.

I request that a £1 is collected from every member of your group (children not included), and given to me before the start of the tour, to cover both my petrol expenses and also the costs of future research into the caves. Many thanks.

Alan Gray

Chairman Axbridge Caving Group

Return to first page