Creswell Crags,

Creswell Crags is a limestone gorge honeycombed with caves and smaller fissures. Stone tools and remains of animals found in the caves provide evidence for a fascinating story of life during the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. Further evidence was found in 2003 with the discovery of Britain's only known Ice Age rock art.

The dramatic limestone gorge is tucked away within the gently undulating limestone landscape on the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire border. Archaeological and environmental evidence excavated from the caves show how the area witnessed dramatic changes in climate at the edge of the northern ice sheets and was populated by Ice Age animals such as hyenas, mammoths, woolly rhinoceros, and migrating herds of reindeer, horse and bison.

Importantly the caves provided shelter for nomadic human groups through a crucial period of human evolution between 55,000 and 10,000 years ago. Stone, bone and ivory tools from the caves reveal Middle and Upper Palaeolithic occupation, in addition to portable and recently discovered 13000 year old engraved rock art figures of deer, birds, bison, and horse. This evidence connects the Ice Age human cultures at Creswell Crags to groups across north west Europe.

There are many exciting things for visitors do at Creswell Crags. You can visit the "Age of Ice" exhibition in the Museum and Education Centre or go on a tour around Robin Hood Cave and explore the people and animals that lived here in the past. Follow up with a tour of the world famous rock art in Church Hole Cave.

Opening Times

March - September: 10.00am - 5.30pm
October - February: 10.00am - 4.30pm

February - October: Everyday
November - January: Saturdays and Sundays Only

Cave tours run at weekends and during Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire school holidays only.

Please note that the car park closes half an hour after the Museum and Visitor Centre.

Visit website for more information

Ticket Prices

There is no charge to visit Creswell Crags site or to walk around the lake and gorge.

There is a £2 charge for all day parking.

Exhibition Entry - £3 adults, £2 concessions, £1.50 children
Ice Age Cave Tour (including Exhibition Entry) - £6.50 adults, £5 concessions, £4.50 children
Rock Art Cave Tour (including Exhibition Entry) - £8 adults, £7 concessions, £6 children
Both Cave Tours (including Exhibition Entry) - £13 adults, £11 concessions, £8 children

There are further reductions for family groups.
Children under 5 years may not be permitted on cave tours for health and safety reasons.

Visit website for more information

Disabled Facilities

All of the areas within the Museum are accessible for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs. There is a lift between floors, which is located next to the main staircase.

Unfortunately the caves are not suitable for wheelchairs, however, the gorge is fully accessible with well-surfaced paths.

There are a number of designated disabled and family parking bays in front of the entrance to the Museum. Blue badge holders are not expected to pay the parking charge.

Public toilets, including accessible facilities, are available on the Upper Floor next to Reception and on the Lower Floor next to the main staircase.

Baby-change facilities are available at the toilets by Reception.

Visit website for more information

More Information

Telephone: 01909 720378

Visit website for more information