The Axbridge Caving Group and Archaeological Society (ACG&AS) Journals from the early 1950’s were reviewed and the relevant paragraphs extracted –

ACG&AS Journal Volume 1 No. 4 August 1953, Page 10 The Axbridge Hill Sites by J. Weare.

Until about thirty five years ago the hills above Axbridge had been extensively mined for ochre. Disused workings lie dotted about the hillside, overgrown and, once again, beginning to merge with the greenery of Mendip. The miners have become old and their memory for detail has become fogged, but one point they are in agreement. Beneath the hill lies a large cave (“as big as Axbridge Square”)

In 1949 three lads of Axbridge (R Hayes, A Weare and J Munn) who were, shortly afterwards, to form part of the nucleus of the Axbridge Caving Group became interested in caving and, after excursions to a number of Mendip caves, their appetite sharpened for cave exploration, decided to find, re-open and explore this cave. With this in view one of the original miners was questioned regarding the location of the entrance and it was learned that a dry stone wall had been built across the entrance and the whole filled up level with the surface. Excavations began at that point indicated by the miner and the search for this elusive cave became one of the first activities of the newly formed Group.

The work continued under difficult conditions at this site for a period of two years and a depth of 30 feet was reached with no success. Various trial trenches were cut and a further consultation was had with the old miners with rather confusing results. It must be borne in mind that 35 years is a long time for anyone to remember a particular spot on a hill with many similar mine workings.

With more energy than hope work continued at the site and eventually a dry stone wall was located with it’s base about 30 feet below the top of the rock face. Excitement ran high. Work continued with greater energy (and sometimes more energy than good sense). However, after a month’s hard work our spirits were dampened for we seemed to be as far off as ever – only a small cavity was brought to light and the reason for the wall is still a mystery. Further information from a person much younger than the miners and who took food to one working on the hill, caused us to begin excavations 20 feet or so to the East of our original workings. This spot gave no surface indications and work started with mixed feelings. But, within half an hour it became apparent that we were removing the infilling of a previous working.

For the next assault on the site a strong party was mustered and a trench cut terminating in a dry stone wall. Had we located the Lost Cave at last? Feverishly the stones were removed revealing a cavity beyond. At last we were sure we were in. But, alas, it proved to be just another mined shaft. At this stage Bob Price, a Bristol member had constructed an electrical echo sounder and forthwith put it to the test. The results indicated various cavities existing in the area, especially 60 yards further East near another working. In the spring of 1952 work commenced at this site.

The excavations began and. In charge of E Humphrey with K Ham, followed down a previous excavation by the miners with a wall of undisturbed scree in the shape of horseshoe in plan. Eventually solid rock was met at a depth of 40 feet still with no sign of a cave entrance.

During further excavations at this site the bones of the following extinct animals were found and identified – Woolly Rhinoceros, Wolf, Horse (Mendip 1), Ox, Reindeer, Arctic Fox, Red Deer and Cave Bear.

The cave , as far as it is present known, promises to be of considerable size and we hope that it may eventually link with the lost cave of the miners.

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