Poole's Cavern

• The Flitch of Bacon, a distinctive streaked stalactite formation and one of the cave's signature sights.
• The Poached Eggs, stalagmites topped with orange mineral staining that look much as the name suggests.
• Chambers and limestone formations along a route reaching a final chamber around 300 metres in from the entrance, walked out and back the same way.
• An exhibition in the visitor centre covering the cave's geology and archaeology.

You can go with a knowledgeable guide on a guided tour, or take the audio tour and set your own pace. A guided tour suits you if you like asking questions; audio works well with restless kids or if you want to linger at the formations. Allow about an hour for the standard route.

• The cave stays at a constant 7.5°C, which feels sharply cold on a warm day. Bring a fleece or jacket whatever the weather outside.
• That same chill makes it a good call during a hot spell in the Peak District.
• Arriving early or at quieter times gives you a more unhurried tour and better views of the formations.
• Pay-and-display parking is on site, with a visitor centre, café, gift shop, picnic areas and public toilets.
• It sits close to Buxton and is about a 15-minute walk from the railway station.
• Dogs on short leads are welcome on standard cave tours and in the centre and surrounding country park.

The cave sits within surrounding woodland, so you can add woodland walks from the same car park after your tour. Push uphill to Solomon's Temple for a wide Peak District viewpoint. Cool dark chambers first, then open air and long views, makes a useful longer outing. The viewpoint is part of the walk above ground, not part of the cave route.