S Engering, S and Barron, H.F. (2007) Doncaster Geodiversity Assessment Volumes 1&2. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report CR/07/025N.
For planning purposes consult Doncaster City Council The report is also available as a PDF download from NERC NORA
Site name: Conisbrough Caves West
Site key: D301
Grid reference:
Site type: cave
Local authority: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, South Yorkshire
Site dimensions: Site owner: Various
Conservation status: Regionally Important Geological Site Date: 17/5/97
Field surveyor: Tony Gibbs, Derbyshire Caving Association Date: 1997
Time unit: Permian Rock unit: Cadeby Formation, Zechstein Group
Rock type: Dolostone Details: Massive bedded dolostone
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey topographic material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: 100017897 [2007]
The information detailed below is taken from the 1997 RIGS Survey by Tony Gibbs of the Derbyshire Caving Association. However, the following notes relate to the survey undertaken on 16 March 2007.
The quarry in which Cadeby Cave is recorded was inspected on 2nd March 2007 as part of an assessment of Cadeby Cliff and no obvious cave entrances were seen.
Following a visit to Conisbrough Caves East with Tony Gibbs a second visit was made but again there was nothing visible that I would consider to be the cave entrance. Similarly, Cadeby Pot has been considered as difficult to find and access. Although apparently the entrance is visible from the north side of the old railway cutting, this area is covered in thick gorse.
Access to the east and west ends of the cutting are essentially blocked by dense growth of trees, shrubs, hawthorns and brambles etc and the southern side of the cutting is similarly blocked and when attempting to access the cutting from the further hazard of ditches, obscured barbed wire and stumps of fence posts were encountered, making this hazardous. For further details of the site and a full assessment contact the Derbyshire Caving Association.
Cadeby Cave
Altitude: 52 m Length: 12 m
Description: the boundary of the old Earth Centre development. About 800 m west-north-west of the west end of the disused viaduct is a small quarry on the north side of old railway cutting. In the east side of the quarry is an entrance 3 m high and 1.5 m wide leading to chamber. In the left wall behind a slab is a squeeze into low boulder chamber 6 m long. A small rift leading off becomes too tight. Unable to locate in 1994? Main Points of Interest: Slip rift development. Needs further speleological investigation.
Cadeby Pot
Altitude: 55 m Length: 45 m Depth: 14 m
Description: No Known Access Restrictions. Close to old Earth Centre. No immediate threats. Approaches are difficult in wet weather. Explored in 1974 as part of the Yorkshire Speleological Society survey. Located about 500 m west of the railway viaduct along disused a railway line, and 200 m beyond the small footbridge. The Pot is three quarters off the way up the side of the cutting, and is difficult to find.
The west entrance needs 9 m of rope and descends in steps to boulder-floored rift. To the west it ascends and ends at an earth choke after 8 m. To the east is a passage up to 2 m wide and 6 m high, ending at a boulder fall after 20 m. A roof passage near the fall can be reached by chimneying, and crawls at two levels separated by climbs end in chokes. Further ascent reaches the east entrance which is tight. The 9 metre pitch in the west entrance is best laddered.
Ratings: 1–2 very poor; 3–4 poor; 5–6 acceptable/useful; 7–8 quite good; 9–10 very good/excellent; N/A not applicable; D/K don't know
Aspect/Description/Rating
Road access & parking
Safety of access
Safety of exposure D/K
Permission to visit D/K
Current condition D/K
Current conflicting activities
Restricting conditions
Nature of exposure
Multiple exposures/prospect for trail
Notes
Aspect/Description/Rating
Historic, archaeological & literary associations Rating: 0
Aesthetic landscape. Rating: 0
History of earth sciences Rating: 0
Economic geology Rating: 0
Notes
Surface processes Rating: 0
Geomorphology Rating: 0
Sedimentary Rating: 0
Fossils Rating: 0
Igneous Rating: 0
Metamorphic Rating: 0
Tectonic: structural Rating: 0
Minerals Rating: 0
Stratigraphy. Rating: 0
Notes