Compass Pot

The walk to Compass Pot takes you through proper Yorkshire moorland above Leyburn, and the cave itself is tucked into a hillside where you'd almost miss it if you weren't looking. It's a small entranceway that leads into a short underground passage - nothing vast or elaborate, but enough to give you that satisfying sense of discovery. The geology on display is the real draw here: you'll see the limestone formations and get a feel for how water carved its way through the rock over millennia.

It's best suited to walkers and anyone keen on caves without needing them to be show-stopping attractions. Kids aged six and up will manage it fine, though younger children might need a hand down the entrance scramble. You'll need a torch, and sensible footwear is essential - the ground inside can be muddy and uneven. Allow forty minutes to an hour if you're making it part of a broader moorland walk in the area. Free admission, obviously, since it's just a natural feature.

This works well as a half-day outing when you're based at somewhere like Stablefell Holidays and Campsite nearby. Combine it with a walk across the surrounding moorland and you've got a solid morning out. The surrounding landscape is the bigger attraction than the cave itself - broad views, quiet paths, proper North Yorkshire feel. Don't go expecting cathedral caverns. Go for the walk, the landscape, and the small thrill of dropping into something genuinely old.