ANDREWS Dave
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We are deeply saddened to have to announce Gerry Cottle has passed away at the age of 75.
We are deeply saddened to have to announce Gerry Cottle has passed away at the age of 75.
Gerry passed away on Wednesday 13th January 2021, he was admitted to the Royal United Hospital in Bath, with Coronavirus.
Gerry was one of the last Greatest Showmen, he is going to be missed by everyone.
The family have politely asked for a period of privacy at this time.
Spook-tacular fun at the Home of Halloween!
Somerset’s oldest and spookiest attraction is set to treat visitors this Halloween, with an array of chilling attractions for everyone who visits during the Autumn half term (between 24 October and 1 November 2020).
Whether you want to head out for a day trip or take a short-break at the Wookey Hole Hotel, there is something for everyone at the Wookey Hole Resort.
A Frightfully Good Day Out…..with the wicked Witch!
This Halloween guests can expect the choice of day or evening ticket options. All tickets will include seeing / meeting the infamous Witch of Wookey of Hole in her new Grotto mixing potions in her bubbling cauldron!
Ghostly goings-on the NEW GHOST TRAIN!
The latest addition to the Home of Halloween is the ghoulish Ghost Train! With creepy characters and eerie surprises, this is a must-see for all Halloween fans…be brave, be bold, be prepared for scares and thrills!
Great value and so much fun, whatever the weather!
With all the Spooktacular attractions included in the admission ticket, visitors will have a magical time exploring…
• See our infamous Witch of Wookey Hole in her Grotto
• Spectacular Show Caves, rich in beauty and history
• Terrifying Ghost Train
• Walk amongst the animatronic dinosaurs in Dinosaur Valley
• Haunted Pirate Island Adventure Golf
• Ghoulish Penny Arcade
• Chilling Crazy Mirrors
• Creepy Cave Museums
• Eerie Paper Mill
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner – the Witchy Way!
• For those that want to add a little extra to their day, you can arrive early to have breakfast with the famous Witch of Wookey Hole! She will be appearing at Captain Jack’s Restaurant between 8:00 – 10:00am.
• Lunch and dinner is also served in Captain Jack’s Restaurant, with table service and speedy delivery, this is a great way to fill those tums with a nourishing, home cooked meal and refreshments.
Wookey Hole Resort offers something for everyone….Hotel, luxury lodges with hot tubs, holiday park and world famous attraction Wookey Hole Caves, a day out or weekend away is sure to keep all the family happy.
With our unique selection of accommodation, world renowned caves and the home of the Wookey Hole Witch, Wookey Hole is a bustling Resort full of life and fun!
Located in stunning Somerset, surrounded by beautiful countryside and the rolling Mendip Hills, a short break of relaxation and adventure can be had when staying at the Wookey Hole Resort.
Escape the Everyday and take a trip to Wookey Hole Resort this Autumn.
KEY INFORMATION
Event information and ticket prices:
Halloween tickets
Adults £16.50
Children (3-14 years) £13.50
OAP £13.50
Under 3s free of charge
Breakfast with the Witch of Wookey Hole:
Locally sourced and freshly prepared, our hearty cooked breakfast includes:
• Adults £9.99: Butchers pork sausage, bacon, beans, hash brown, grilled tomato, mushrooms and your choice of egg
• Children £7.99: Butchers pork sausage, bacon, beans, hash brown and your choice of egg
• Breakfast is served in Captain Jacks Restaurant from 7.00 – 10.30 am
• The Wookey Hole Witch appears at breakfast between 7.30 – 10.30 am
Wookey Hole Hotel Halloween Package:
For more information about Wookey Hole and its spooky attractions this season, please visit www.wookey.co.uk/halloween.
Easter 2020 at Wookey Hole Caves
Enjoy an eggs-tra special Easter at Wookey Hole
4 – 19 April 2020
Don’t make any eggs-cuses this Easter! Enjoy this special time of year at Somerset’s oldest and biggest attraction, Wookey Hole. With a cracking range of seasonal activities and egg-citing things to do, Wookey has something for everyone – whatever the weather.
For a magical and unforgettable Easter, hop down to Wookey Hole for a day full of family fun and bunny times.
Meet the Witch…
The Wookey Witch has egg-reed to meet visitors this Easter, so make sure you keep your ears up and your eyes peeled for the chance to meet her – but beware the stench of her rotten egg cauldron and egg-stravagant spell book filled with Easter yolks!
Just for Easter…
Bring the whole family along for a cracking time as you take part in Wookey’s exciting Easter trail! You must uncover the egg-sclusive clues and discover the secret word to win a delicious Easter egg – but be careful the clues don’t scramble your brain!
Feel the thrill of Wookey’s live circus shows…
With resident circus showman, Gerry Cottle, celebrating his 50th anniversary in showbusiness this year, prepare to be amazed with the return of the famous Wookey Hole Circus Shows!
And it doesn’t stop (t)hare…
Egg-splore Wookey’s stunning caves or step back in time and wander through the prehistoric Valley of the Dinosaurs and enjoy watching ‘The Lost World’ in 4D. With a variety of over 20 attractions from pirate-themed adventure golf and penny arcade games, to the Wizard’s play castle and a magical mirror maze, there is sure to be something for even the most adventurous characters this Easter. So, what are you waiting for? Come and discover the magic!
To make this Easter one to remember, you can save a m-egga 15% on standard day tickets when you book online*. All tickets include the full Wookey Hole experience, with over 20 thrilling attractions, a historical tour of the famous caves and participation in any of the fun Easter egg-stras.
Welcoming over half a million visitors each year, Wookey Hole is renowned for offering guests a unique and memorable experience throughout its historical caves and tours, seasonal events and 20 fantastic attractions within the venue. For more information about Wookey Hole and its famous attractions, please visit www.wookey.co.uk.
Wookey Hole Witch to perform romantic hand blessing ritual for Valentine’s Day
The Wookey Witch is cooking up a romantic recipe for Valentine’s Day this year. Focusing on love, blessings and commitment, the famous witch will perform her first ever hand blessing ritual in the stunning underground caves.
Lit by candlelight and surrounded by millions of years of untouched history, the underground caves are the perfect setting for this romantic gesture. Bringing a touch of magic to the celebration, the Wookey Witch will perform individual blessing for couples visiting the tourist attraction next week, free of charge.
In any tradition, a hand blessing is a ritual that is meant to draw two people closer together. Hands are considered to be a connection to the heart, and so the hand blessing ceremony symbolically brings two hearts together. The Wookey Witch will perform this blessing for all guests wishing to participate on Friday 14 February 2020, from 11am until 2pm.
The Wookey Witch comments, “Wookey Hole is Somerset’s oldest and biggest attraction, and I’m exciting to bring an extra bit of magic to this romantic celebration. I’m known for having a heart of stone, but I’ll soften it for this one day. We look forward to spreading the love with all our visitors!”
Wookey Hole will open its caves especially for this special Valentine’s Day blessing, so guests wishing to participate should register their interest via the Facebook event (pinned post): www.facebook.com/WookeyHole.
Welcoming over half a million visitors each year, Wookey Hole is renowned for offering guests a unique and memorable experience throughout its historical caves and tours, seasonal events and 20 fantastic attractions within the venue.
Give Wookey Hole Gift Vouchers Here
Wookey Hole Gift Vouchers are now available
Click HERE to BUY NOW
Where can I use my Gift Vouchers?
Gift vouchers can be redeemed online or in person at Wookey Hole. When purchasing tickets online just enter your gift code on checkout in the voucher box provided. To use your vouchers on site please just present your voucher (either printed or on your phone/device).
Please note that vouchers can only be redeemed in full either online or in person. No change will be issued if the full voucher value is not used.
What can I buy with my Gift Vouchers?
Gift vouchers are valid for:
- Wookey Hole Day Tickets – including Halloween and Winter Wonderland visits
Download our Wookey leaflet here (PDF) - Special Events and Shows
- Wild Wookey – Adventure Caving Experience
Download our Wild Wookey leaflet here (PDF) - Wookey Hole Circus Workshops/Classes
Please note that vouchers cannot be used in the Wookey Hole Hotel, Mendip View Lodges or Bucklegrove Holiday Park.
How long are my Gift Vouchers valid for?
How long are my Gift Vouchers valid for?
Gift Vouchers are valid for 10 years from the date of purchase.
Opening Times:
Wookey Hole’s Opening Times:
Summer (Apr – Oct incl.): 10am (first tour) 5pm (last tour). Last entrance into Wookey Hole is at 5pm.
Winter (Nov – Mar Incl.): 10am (first tour) – 4pm (Last Cave Tour) Last entrance into Wookey Hole is 4pm.
Park Information:
Please remember Wookey Hole is closed weekdays during December and January. The Circus Shows run through the Somerset School Holidays and weekends throughout the year, more information can be found on our website. The Wookey Hole Witch appears at Wookey Hole every Somerset School holiday. There are no Circus Shows between 7th Jan – 14th Feb 2020. Shows will resume on the 15th February 2020.
Crazy Golf:
FREE Crazy Golf with Wookey Hole Day Tickets (One Round per ticket):
All day tickets purchased to visit Wookey Hole will include a FREE round of Crazy Golf. Tickets will be issued on the day of your visit and must be used when redeeming day tickets here at Wookey Hole.
Crazy Golf is open daily from 10.30am with the last game at 5pm April – October and 4pm November – March.
Any questions, please contact the booking office on:
Tel: 01749 672243
Email: witch@wookey.co.uk
A world first took place at Wookey Hole Caves
A world first took place at Wookey Hole Caves yesterday, when renowned exploration artist Philip Gray created painted artworks for the first ever time in a cave, over 19 feet underwater. He created two pieces of work he entitled Pioneers of the Dark (low res image attached)and The Source of Light.
For the challenge, Philip dove down with his paints, canvas, easel and breathing apparatus, to reach his location. His paintings illustrated the scene 84 years ago, when Penelope Powell and Graham Balcombe first plunged into the dark waters at Wookey Hole to complete the world’s first cave dive.
Footage of the dive is available on request. Please find images for your download here, which includes pictures of the dive itself and the finished pieces: https://we.tl/t-BytaQJ07ET
The paintings will go on display in the Cave Diving Museum at Wookey Hole, where they will join a new display about the world’s first cave dive in 1935. Other items in the collection include early examples of deep-sea diving equipment used to explore the caves in 1935, such as diving helmets, boots and pumps.
Philip comments: “My passion for art is equalled only by my passion for exploration and discovery, and I always push myself to the limit of what is possible to create my artwork. It made perfect sense to me to paint this iconic scene from 84 years ago, deep underwater, in the atmospheric caves at Wookey Hole where the first ever cave dive took place.”
Philip has travelled the world creating stunning one-of-a-kind paintings of places never seen before. His previous projects have included painting the “lost” Lion City in China (Shi Cheng), painting in Antarctica on the side of an iceberg and even climbing Mount Everest to paint.
Philip’s previous paintings within caverns have been within the reaches of natural light, but this time his Wookey Hole cave painting needed to be illuminated with artificial light. It was the first time anyone has achieved a painting in such conditions.
For further information, interview requests or footage of the dive, please contact jenny@adpr.co.uk or zak@adpr.co.uk.
Wild Wookey Adventure Caving
Wild Wookey
Wild Wookey is a three hour ‘adrenaline-fuelled, high-octane, exhilarating Adventure Caving Experience’ in the largest and most spectacular cave complex in the UK. Hidden deep below the surface of the rolling Mendip Hills, Wild Wookey at Wookey Hole Caves is a haven for explorers, thrill seekers and anyone wishing to sample a taste of true caving!
Venturing into the darkest recesses of this World famous cave, guided by highly experienced instructors, Wild Wookey will have you immersed in a secret subterranean universe. Rich in history, shrouded in mystery, with vast expanses of unexplored passageways and caverns – this caving adventure is the ultimate adult’s underground playground…
What’s included:
- Three hours of unforgettable, challenging and exhilarating moments guided by our highly experienced and qualified caving instructors
- “Behind The Scenes” exploration of the World famous showcaves at Wookey Hole
- Abseiling with utterly beautiful, awe-inspiring, breath-taking views
- European-style Via Ferrata climbs (The longest underground Via Ferrata route in England!)
- Traversing activity over the vividly green water of the River Axe
- Contrastingly peaceful Boat Ride in the iconic ‘Wookey Boat’
- VIP style exit from the cave via the newly rigged Zip Line!
- Unique access to previously hidden passages
- Chances to get up, close and personal with rare geological and archaeological features, unseen by the general public
- An authentic caving experience in an AONB; The Mendip Hills
- Fascinating educational and historical information throughout
- FREE photographs of your experience
- FREE certificate upon completion
And more… ‘Well, we have to leave some surprises!’
£59.99 per person
Booking in advance is highly recommended.
Explore the caves like never before!
Ladies lead the cast in new £1 million show at Wookey Hole
One of the world’s greatest showmen is bringing a touch of magic to Somerset’s oldest attraction this summer
With a £1 million programme of illusions from around the world, circus legend Gerry Cottle is giving the floor to his daughter Sarah, granddaughter Ellen, and a talented team of ladies for Wookey Hole Caves’ newest family show, Hocus Pocus.
Presented by the cave’s three resident witches, this unique show is led by a cast of nine women and for the first time it will be the men who all play victim to the girls’ ghoulish stunts. The 90-minute show includes spectacular and mind-boggling illusions such as The Fire Spiker, The Eclipse, and the Excalibur illusion.
Sarah Cottle leads the cast and was instrumental in helping her father create this illusion show, where girls are finally getting the glory. Sarah has been a circus performer since the age of 12, following in her dad’s footsteps and travelling all over the world.
Sarah said: “Our talented cast has spent months formulating the very best illusions from our experiences across the world and we cannot wait to welcome young and old to this extraordinary new show. We want to shock, delight, and make you part of our dazzling world of magic and intrigue – you won’t be disappointed!”
Sarah’s daughter Ellen has just completed a 100-date Circus of Horrors tour, and performs what has been hailed the “fastest and funkiest” Hula Hoop act, ever; Stef Usher and Ameya Williams perform the big illusions while Craig Attmere performs the sensational ‘Jaws of Death’ with just 30 seconds to escape.
Directing Hocus Pocus is Willie Ramsay, stunt coordinator at Pinewood studios, Shepperton, and Leavesden, who has been involved in films such as Pan, King Arthur, Fantastic Beasts, Malificent, Mamma Mia, Star Wars, and of course, Roald Dahl’s Witches. Gerry Cottle’s grandson Whistle Cottle, also appears in Hocus Pocus, making it a true family act.
Wookey Hole Caves was bought by Gerry Cottle and his family 15 years ago and welcomes over 250,000 visitors each year. The circus school trains 40 young people who perform during weekends and school holidays.
- Hocus Pocus is showing for 12 nights only through July and August, you can book tickets at wookey.co.uk/hocus-pocus/
- Hocus Pocus is a 90-minute show with an interval.
- Bar and food available from 5.30pm, show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets can be collected at 5.30pm at the ticket office next the main car park.
- Tickets cost £9.99 for adults, £7.99 for children (3-14). Under threes free of charge.
- Tickets for the show are available that include a hog roast at £14.99 per adult and £11.99 per child.