Authority will take steps to improve access to Thor’s Cave
A CHALLENGING Peak District beauty spot which has become a honeypot for adventurous visitors in the summer months could have steps created, if plans get the goahead.
The Trustees of Devonshire Maintenance, part of the Chatsworth Estate, has applied to the national park authority to improve access to Thor’s Cave, near Wetton.
The plans would involve resurfacing the heavily used right of way leading up to the foot of the prehistoric cave, then creating steps to help people make the challenging climb up to the cave itself.
A supporting statement by Charlotte Leech, deputy estate manager at Chatsworth, said: “The works proposed at Thor’s Cave are to improve public access to a popular site.
“Thor’s Cave has always been well visited, but during 2020 and 2021, visitor numbers and the associated pressures have increased rapidly.
“One of the main routes of access is a concessionary footpath from Wetton village as marked on the maps supplied in the application.
“This is a concessionary right of way granted by the Trustees of the Devonshire Maintenance Fund.
“The condition of this path has deteriorated which is leading to visitors straying from the path and extending areas of erosion.
“Visitors also want to access the head of Thor’s Cave which has limited formal access and visitors do not remain on the designated route.
“The access is currently steep and there is a large scar of erosion from visitors.
“Some of this area is designated SSSI so requires improvement to the management of people to reduce erosion.
“This planning application will be supported by an application to extend the public access to the top of Thor’s Cave to open access land.” In recent years, and particularly during the times when pandemic restrictions have allowed, daytrippers have been flocking to Thor’s Cave after seeing it on Instagram.
This has led to huge pressure in the village of Wetton, which has struggled to find room to allow the dozens of cars to park, but it has also led to people suffering injuries as they slip while climbing up to, or descending from the cave.
Earlier this month, a walker had to be stretchered away from the cave after he slipped while descending one of the more tricky slopes and he suffered a suspected fractured shoulder.
It was Derby Mountain Rescue Team’s 76th callout of the year, and one of several trips they have had to make to the cave as inexperienced climbers underestimate the challenge of getting to the cave, which is high above the footpath.
Ms Leech explained: “I was approached by the Peak District National Park Ranger Service to discuss how we could best manage people pressures in this area.
“The planning application is supported by Rose Clarke, the area ranger.
“If successful, the proposed work will result in a Farming in Protected Landscapes application and this is supported by Rebekah Newman – Peak District National Park Authority farm advisor - and Sue Smith, PDNPA Access and rights of way officer.”
A decision is expected by planners within the next eight weeks.
The condition of this path has deteriorated, leading to visitors straying from the path. Charlotte Leech