Disappointment Pot

The name alone should tell you what to expect. Disappointment Pot is a modest cave system tucked into the limestone landscape near Settle, and it absolutely lives up to its unfortunate title. You'll find a small opening that leads into a cramped, muddy chamber - hardly the underground cathedral you might be hoping for after spotting it on a map.

That said, it's worth knowing about if you're already walking the Settle area, which has genuinely excellent countryside. The cave itself takes maybe twenty minutes to explore, assuming you don't mind getting mucky and don't suffer from claustrophobia. It's free to visit and there's no gatekeeping - just turn up. The approach walk through the surrounding hills is actually the best bit, to be honest.

This one's for the type who enjoys ticking off obscure geological features rather than anyone expecting Wookey Hole theatrics. Young children will probably find it underwhelming unless they're particularly keen on caves. Serious cavers or geology students might get more from it than casual visitors.

If you're based at Orcaber Farm Caravan & Camping Park or The Dalesbridge Campsite just down the road, it makes a reasonable half-hour detour on a wet afternoon walk. But don't restructure your whole holiday around it. The real draw in this part of Yorkshire is the walking itself - the Settle-Carlisle Railway line, the surrounding valleys, and Pen-y-Ghent. Use this cave as a curiosity stop, not a destination.