Peak Cavern

Unlike the other show caves in the area, it is almost entirely natural. The only artificial part of the cave was blasted to bypass a low tunnel that was only accessible by lying down on a boat, and the cave system is the largest in the Peak District. The Peak Cavern entrance is the largest in Britain. Until 1915 the cave was home to Britain's last troglodytes, who lived in houses built inside the cave mouth, and made a living from rope making, while the depths of the cave were known as a haven for bandits. It was supposed to be the place where thieves' cant was created by a meeting between Cock Lorel, leader of the rogues and the King of the Gypsies.

Several passages lead from the entrance, known as "The Vestibule". The only one open to the public is "Lumbago Walk", named as traversing it requires most adults to stoop. The route continues through two main caverns, "The Great Cave" and "Roger Rains House", and into a passage, "Pluto's Dining Room". This is the furthest point currently open to the public, but the show cave used to extend considerably further: down "The Devil's Staircase" to "The Halfway House" and then along an underground stream known as the "Inner Styx", via a series of bridges and under "Five Arches".