Boxhead Pot

Boxhead Pot is a proper sinkhole cave near Carnforth, the sort of place that rewards a bit of scrambling if you know what you're doing. The entrance drops steeply into a narrow vertical shaft - hence the name - and what you find below depends entirely on water levels and your nerve. In dry conditions, experienced cavers can descend further into the system, but casual visitors should treat this as a spectacular geological feature rather than a walkthrough attraction.

The real appeal here is the drama of the landscape itself. You're looking at classic karst terrain, where limestone has dissolved into these sudden dramatic holes. The surrounding moorland around Carnforth is riddled with them, and Boxhead Pot is one of the more impressive. It's a photographer's favourite if you're into industrial-looking rock formations and moody Yorkshire scenery.

This isn't somewhere you stumble into with small children or in your Sunday shoes. Access is unmarked, and the ground around the entrance is rough. You'll want sturdy boots and ideally a map or local knowledge. The nearest campsites - Primrose Glamping Pods and Philpin Farm - are both within a few miles, making this a natural add-on if you're exploring the wider cave systems and limestone features of the area.

Best visited in autumn when water levels drop and the light's lovely on the stone. Allow an hour if you're just having a look from above, longer if you're actually caving. Bring a torch either way.