A major new book from BCRA, Edited by Tony Waltham and David Lowe, in two volumes

• Volume One: 264 pages (A4), all in colour, with 165 maps and diagrams, 49 tables, and 354 photographs.
• Volume Two: 328 pages (A4), all in colour, with 141 maps and graphics, and 627 photographs.

This book presents an overview of all aspects of the great cave systems and spectacular karst landforms in the limestone terrain of the Yorkshire Dales. Thirty-one authors, all experts in their fields, have produced authoritative and up-to-date texts, which have been drawn together by editors Tony Waltham and David Lowe, each of whom has extensive experience of the Dales, both above and below ground. Volume One, published in 2013, contains all the overview chapters covering individual aspects of the geomorphology, speleology and science relevant to the Yorkshire Dales. Volume Two, published in 2017, contains chapters that describe the major caves and a regional overview for each of 17 areas within and around the Yorkshire Dales karst. The book is aimed at anyone with a serious interest in the Dales, and that will include everyone from the academic geographers to the dedicated cave explorers.

Three samples from Volume Two are available online...

• The Outline file is a free download that lists the contents in detail and also includes the index.
• Chapter 24 is presented as a sample of the chapters in Volume Two, and is a free download for members of BCRA.
• Chapter 25 is made available as a free download for everyone and as a contribution towards understanding of the karst geomorphology of the Malham area, which attracts wider interest from non-cavers.

Pricing Information

Prices updated on 15-Dec-2020

• Volume One, softback (ISBN 978-0-900265-46-4). RRP £15. Weight 1.0kg. Spine width 17 mm. Format 210 x 297mm (A4). Sewn binding.
• Volume Two, softback (ISBN 978-0-900265-48-8). RRP £15. Weight 1.3kg. Spine width 21 mm. Format 210 x 297mm (A4). Sewn binding.
• Volume Two, hardback (ISBN 978-0-900265-51-8). RRP £70. Weight 1.7kg. Spine width 28 mm. Format 220 x 306mm (8.7 x 12in). Sewn binding.

20% discount to BCRA members. For postage rates, please see our order form. Retailers and wholesalers can benefit from our commercial discounts - please see Further information and contact publications-sales[at]bcra...etc. to place an order.

Ordering Online

Payment by Cheque

Our preferred method of receiving payment by cheque is for you to order online and click the button for "Payment by Cheque". You will then be sent an email containing further instructions.

However, if you do not have Internet access, please just send a cheque made payable to British Cave Research Association to BCRA, Old Methodist Chapel, Great Hucklow, BUXTON, SK17 8RG. There is no need to send a covering letter, but please...

• Print your name and address clearly on the back of the cheque
• Write your order on the back of the cheque too.
• Add your email address if you want an order acknowledgement.

Where to Find the Book

• You can place an order online, or send us a cheque. Please allow two weeks for delivery if you pay by cheque.
• Please ask for the book in your caving shop.
• The softback version will be on sale with a 20% discount to everyone at BCRA meetings, including the BCRA Cave Science Symposium and Hidden Earth.

A Description of the Book

The two volumes of this new book present a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the caves and karst of the Yorkshire Dales. They form the long-awaited successor to the 1974 publication Limestones and Caves of Northwest England, but provide a much more comprehensive treatment because of the many cave discoveries in the last 40 years and the new information that is available on the underground and surface features.

The chapters, written by specialists who really know the area, include topics on limestone geology, karst geomorphology, cave development, karst hydrogeology, cave chronology, subterranean biology, bats, palaeontology and archaeology, and then of the caves and features within each individual hill or dale across the karst.

The book is essential reading for every serious caver who enjoys the caves of the Yorkshire Dales. Cave scientists, too, will appreciate this book because it is more than just a statement on the karst landscapes and the caves beneath. It brings together many aspects of the natural environment and the evolution of the Yorkshire Dales and provides insights into the landscape evolution in northern England - indeed, one chapter gives the first comprehensive review of the glacial history of the Dales. The book will therefore be of interest to professionals who otherwise might have only marginal interest in probably the finest group of caves within Britain. Uranium-series dating of stalagmites, and carbon-dating of bones mean that the caves now provide the basis for a uniquely-detailed chronological framework that extends through much of the Quaternary period.

Chapters of Volume One

1. The Yorkshire Dales, by Tony Waltham and David Lowe
2. Geology of the limestones, by Colin Waters and David Lowe
3. Glaciation and Quaternary evolution, by Wishart Mitchell
4. Karst geomorphology, by Tony Waltham
5. Limestone pavements, by Simon Webb
6. Travertine and tufa, by Allan Pentecost
7. Cave geomorphology, by Tony Waltham and Phil Murphy
8. Geological infuences on the caves, by David Lowe
9. Hydrogeology of the karst, by John Gunn and Simon Bottrell
10. Chronology of the caves, by Alf Latham and Derek Ford
11. Speleothems and palaeoclimates, by Tim Atkinson and Phil Hopley
12. Holocene environments, by Margaret Atherden
13. Cave biology, by Graham Proudlove
14. Bats in the caves, by John Altringham and Anita Glover
15. Cave palaeontology, by Terry O'Connor and Tom Lord
16. Cave archaeology, by Tom Lord and John Howard

Chapters of Volume Two

17. Caves of Dentdale and Wild Boar Fell, by Roy Holmes
18. Caves of Barbondale, by Hugh St Lawrence
19. Cave systems of Ease Gill, by Paul Swire
20. Caves of Leck Fell and Ireby Fell, by Tony Waltham and Tim Allen
21. Caves of Kingsdale, by Dave Brook
22. Caves of Ingleborough, compiled by Tony Waltham and Dave Brook
    White Scars and Newby Moss, by Tony Waltham and Ged Campion
    The Allotment and Ribblesdale, by Dave Brook and Tony Waltham
    Chapel-le-Dale and Ribblehead, by Dave Brook and Phil Murphy
23. The Gaping Gill Cave System, by Dave Brook and Tony Waltham
24. Caves of Pen-y-ghent and Fountains Fell, by Graham Proudlove and Tony Waltham
25. Caves and karst of Malham and Settle, by Phil Murphy
26. Caves of Wharfedale and Littondale, by Harry Long
27. Caves of Grassington Moor, by Dave Brook and Phil Murphy
28. Caves from Greenhow Hill to Cracoe, by Harry Long
29. Caves of Nidderdale, by Chris Fox
30. Caves of Wensleydale, by Tony Harrison and Pete Ryder
31. Caves of Swaledale, by Tony Harrison and Pete Ryder
32. Caves of the Northern Pennines, by Pete Ryder and Tony Harrison
33. Caves of the North York Moors, by John Dale and Carl Thomas