Blue John Cavern: World Famous! - Castleton, Peak District, Derbyshire, England, UK

The Blue John Cavern in Castleton in the Peak District is steeped in history and old mining equipment is on view inside the cavern. Guided tours are conducted through the cave system at short regular intervals. Each tour lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour during which time a series of magnificent natural water worn caverns are seen. Blue John can be seen in its natural state along with stalactites, stalagmites and huge caverns. The trip is a great educational experience for young and old alike. The cavern takes its name from the semi-precious mineral Blue John, which is still mined in small amounts outside the tourist season and made locally into jewellery. The deposit itself is about 250 million years old. On the tour, you'll see the Waterfall Cavern and the Grand Crystallized Cavern with its multi-coloured dome. Visit Lord Mulgraves Dining Room where his Lordship entertained miners, and where fine veins of Blue John can be seen in their natural state in the limestone. Stand in the Variegated Cavern approx