Clearwell Caves
A show mine in the Forest of Dean, where visitors walk through caverns worked for iron ore and ochre for thousands of years, with displays on Freeminers.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Clearwell Caves are a natural cave system in the Forest of Dean that people have mined for iron ore and ochre pigment, known locally as colour, since the Stone Age. Tools on display have been dated to at least 4,500 years old. The mines were worked by Freeminers, local men who hold an ancient right to dig minerals in the Forest of Dean, a custom now regulated by the Dean Forest (Mines) Act of 1838. Large-scale mining ended in 1945, but ochre is still extracted today, and the caves are described as the last working ochre mine in the British Isles.
The caves were first opened to visitors in 1968, when Ray Wright began showing the caverns to the public. His son Jonathan registered as a Freeminer in 1981 and joined full time in 1984; he still mines yellow, brown, red and purple ochre with traditional tools and, with his wife Heather, manages the caves. The ochre is milled, washed and dried on the surface and is sold in the shop as artists' pigment.
A visit is a self-guided walk through about nine or ten caverns, descending to roughly 100 feet below the surface. Displays show the history of the mine, including the work of children as young as seven, known as billy boys, who carried heavy loads of ore. Other areas include the Pit Theatre Chamber, used for events, and the Skeleton Pool with fossils on the rock walls. The caves are also a popular filming location, and more demanding caving trips go into the deeper levels of the mine.
Highlights
- Walk through caverns mined for iron ore and ochre for thousands of years
- Displays on the Forest of Dean Freeminers and their working methods
- Ochre still mined at the site and sold in the shop
- Skeleton Pool with fossils on the rock walls
- Deep Level caving trips beyond the show caverns
Permanent exhibition
- Show caverns and mining displays – A self-guided route through the caverns of an ancient ochre and iron-ore mine, with displays on mining history and the Freeminers.
- Founded
- 1968
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £13Students and OAPs |
| Children & teens | £11free up to age 4 · Child ticket for ages 5–16. |
| Seniors | £13 |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Carers are admitted free with a paying disabled visitor and must show evidence that they are a carer. |
| Students & apprentices | £13 |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Guided visits for parties of more than 15 cost the normal admission price plus £50 for the guide. |
| Families | £45Two adults and two children. |
| Family ticket, two adults and three children | £55 |
Prices are for general admission to the show caverns. Evening trips and special events, including the Christmas event, have separate prices, and a £5 fee applies to cancelling or changing a booking.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The caves are real mine workings with steep, uneven and sometimes wet paths and handrails on the steeper parts, so they may not suit visitors with walking difficulties. A single children's buggy can be taken through, but it is difficult for wheelchairs and double buggies, and mobility scooters and heavy electric wheelchairs cannot enter. Disabled parking and access are available near the entrance, café and shop, and the site asks visitors to phone for details. Assistance dogs are allowed underground.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
| Family ticket | £45 · Two adults and two children. |
- Hands-on stations
Children can test their strength with a load similar to the 60–70 lb of ore carried by child miners. Children under 5 are free and do not need a ticket. Only single children's buggies can be taken through the caves.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Milkwall
The nearest railway station is Lydney, 5 miles away; take a bus to Coleford, get off at Milkwall and walk three-quarters of a mile to the caves. From Gloucester railway station, 21 miles away, take Stagecoach bus 31 to Milkwall and walk the same distance.
By car
Free parking
Free car and coach park for visitors to the caves, café and shop, signposted a few hundred yards after the turning for Clearwell village.
- Accessible parking
The caves are 1.5 miles south of Coleford town centre. Follow the brown tourist signs from Coleford and the B4228 towards St Briavels and Chepstow, turn right for Clearwell village after about a mile, then follow the signs to the car park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Lamproom Café serves cakes, snacks, sandwiches, tea and coffee. The gift shop sells ochre pigments, minerals, ceramics, jewellery and sweets. Dogs are welcome in the café, shop and grounds but not underground.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Weddings / ceremonies
The caves can be hired for events by emailing the office, and the large Pit Theatre Chamber has hosted theatre and wedding parties. The site is also available as a film and television location.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits are self-guided, with about 45 minutes to an hour underground, and visitors should allow at least two hours on site. Guided tours of about 1.5 hours can be booked for groups of at least 15 and are offered on some advertised days. Schools are particularly welcome, and groups can also book semi-deep and deep-level caving trips. Wear flat, well-fitting shoes with good grip; the temperature underground is about 10 degrees all year. Dogs are not allowed underground except assistance dogs. |
