Latest News - William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust

What’s new in the Trust and Centre?

Guided Walks 2025

Our summer walks programme is now open for booking.

The DAY WALKS programme starts on 30 July and runs on every Wednesday and Thursday until 28 August. On each day walks will start at 11 am and 2 pm and they consist of a short introduction followed by a guided walk taking in the limekilns and then walking through the quarry to the bone cave. The museum will be open before and after the walks and a visit normally lasts for about 2 hours. Most visitors pre-book tickets at £8 per adult and £4 for a child of school age; children under 5 are free. Each walk has a limit of 30 visitors and you can turn up and join a walk if there is space, paying on the door. For more information and to pre-book tickets go to https://pengellyday2025.eventbrite.co.uk

The BAT WALKS programme also runs on every Wednesday and Thursday evening from 30 July to 28 August with start times that vary over this period. There is a short introduction following which visitors are equipped with bat detectors (so that they can hear the bats’ sounds) and head torches, and then walk with guides to the top of Buckfastleigh Hill where, in the twilight, they can see and hear bats in flight. The whole walk lasts for up to 1½ hours. Pre-booking is required with tickets at £8 per adult and £4 for a child of school age; children under 5 are free. Each walk has a limit of 20 visitors. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://pengellybat2025.eventbrite.co.uk

If you have questions about the walks please first check the information on Eventbrite. If you still need to talk to someone, please contact John Wilmut on either 01579 370736 or 07890 996296 (day of the walk only).

The Trust has a new President

Chamberlain sectioning — Andrew and John Boulton working in Joint Mitnor Cave

We are delighted to welcome our new President: Professor Andrew Chamberlain has agreed to join us. The Trust has been very fortunate to have the support of a distinguished line of Presidents: Dr George Black, Harry Pearman and the late Professor Patrick Boylan all brought different experience and expertise, contributing a huge amount to our work. Andrew is no stranger to the Trust and Centre having been involved at several points over the years, most recently by doing the restorative work in Joint Mitnor Cave, following the break-in and theft of bones a few years ago.