Douky Bottom Cave

Douky Bottom Cave sits tucked into the Yorkshire limestone landscape near Skipton, a modest but genuine piece of subterranean geology that rewards a bit of poking about. It's the sort of place that doesn't announce itself loudly - you'll need to do some exploring to find the entrance - but that's rather the appeal. The cave itself is a short scramble into a natural chamber, nothing vast or Instagram-dramatic, but proper Yorkshire grit all the same.

Walkers in the Wharfedale area tend to stumble upon this rather than plan a pilgrimage to it, and that's exactly how it should be treated. It fits nicely into a longer ramble from Skipton northward into the dales - combine it with Malham or the broader Wharfedale walking routes and you've got a decent half-day out. Families with older kids (ten plus, really) who don't mind getting their boots muddy will find it interesting enough; younger children may find it underwhelming unless they're properly into caving.

The entrance is free to access - there's no gatehouse or admission fee - though you'll need to be confident with uneven terrain and a bit of climbing. Allow twenty minutes or so if you're just having a look round, longer if you're the type to sit and absorb the place. Winter's probably best avoided, as drainage can make it slippery. If you're based at Wood Nook or Wharfedale Caravan Parks just down the road, it's a decent pocket-sized diversion on a day when the weather's iffy.