Ireby 0.5

You'll find Ireby Cave tucked into the limestone landscape just outside Carnforth, Lancashire - a straightforward but rewarding spot if you're exploring the area on foot. It's a modest natural cave with a decent-sized entrance and a chamber that's worth a quick scramble through, though don't expect a labyrinth. The cave itself is free to visit and takes maybe twenty to thirty minutes to have a proper look around, depending on how far you want to venture inside.

The appeal here is mainly for walkers and geology enthusiasts rather than casual day-trippers. If you're doing the broader cave circuit in the North West - Morecambe Bay and the limestone belt are full of them - Ireby fits in neatly as a short detour. Families with kids will find it mildly interesting, though it's not spectacular enough to plan a whole trip around. Come properly shod and bring a torch; the ground can be muddy and the interior needs light to explore safely.

What works well is pairing it with a longer walk through the surrounding countryside. You're close enough to Carnforth for tea and supplies, and if you're staying at Primrose Glamping Pods a couple of miles away, it's an easy morning expedition. The cave doesn't require advance booking or admission fees as far as we can tell, so there's no faff. Go when it's dry if possible - cave visiting in the wet is nobody's idea of fun.