News

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

Pioneers-of--the-Dark

 

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.

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.

Wookey Hole Hosts World’s First Cave Dive Painting

Exactly 84 years to the day after the world’s first ever cave dive, extreme artist Philip Gray will paint underwater at the top Somerset attraction

A world first is taking place at Wookey Hole Caves on July 14, where renowned exploration artist Philip Gray will paint for the first ever time in a cave, over 19 feet underwater. Philip’s painting will illustrate 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.

For the challenge, Philip will need to dive down with his paints, canvas, easel and breathing apparatus, to reach his location. He’ll then stay there until the painting is complete.

The masterpiece will go on display in the Cave Diving Museum at Wookey Hole, where it 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 attempt will need to be illuminated with artificial light. It will be the first time anyone has achieved a painting in such conditions.

EASTER EGG-STRAVAGANZA AT WOOKEY HOLE CAVES

The Wookey Hole Witch has cooked up a cauldron full of treats for visitors to Somerset’s magical inland attraction this Easter.

With more than 20 indoor and outdoor attractions included in the ticket price and an Easter gift for each child, Easter at Wookey Hole Caves provides a whole day out with enough excitement to keep the whole family entertained.

Running from 6-28 April the Easter break also includes games and competitions as well as the usual history and mystery the attraction is known for.

As ever, the Witch of Wookey Hole will be lurking in the shadows ready to meet, greet and cackle with guests while the numerous soft play areas, adventure playgrounds, mirror mazes and specialist museums onsite provide family fun whatever the weather.

The 4D cinema is showing a new movie for 2019 – Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs 4D experience – which will take audiences on an unforgettable adventure and the Circus Show will be performed daily in the Big Top Theatre.

The world-renowned cave tours will be running daily to educate and excite guests. The labyrinthine cave system made up of caverns and tunnels is famous the world over and, with recently discovered new caves, visitors will be amazed by the vast spectacle of natural beauty.

If the British Springtime weather is kind there is plenty to do outdoors too. Dinosaur Valley and the new life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that live there are waiting to be explored and Pirate Adventure Golf also provides al fresco fun.

There will be another Easter Trail and Treasure Hunt, with visitors hunting letters to uncover the secret word and receive an Easter treat.

Wookey Hole Caves’ renowned circus shows offer dazzling displays including hula hooping, trapeze and roller skating – prepare to be amazed and enthralled by the thrill of our high energy, fast moving show.

And in the last week of the holidays the resort will be running a circus skills workshop from Tuesday to Friday 23 – 26 April – adding a third week to the holidays to accommodate visitors from outside our region.

The Wookey Witch said: “The great thing about Wookey Hole is the fantastic value for money it offers. Nowhere else will you find such an eclectic collection of top-quality attractions under one ticket price.

“There’s enough to do here to keep everyone happy and interested all day long, which for parents with a whole two week break to plan, is invaluable.

“There’s even the option to stay at Wookey Hole Hotel and Bucklegrove to extend the fun even further and explore what else Somerset has to offer.

“Easter is a great time to visit – the weather is usually looking up and our Egg-stravaganza event is really special for visiting children.”

Those who book a hotel break at Wookey Hole Hotel and Bucklegrove over Easter will get their attraction tickets and breakfast for free.

The Easter package for a family of four also includes one night’s accommodation, a round of adventure golf, £100 of savings on local days out, free fun packs for kids and free entry into the Mill and children’s play barns in the evening. Prices for this start from just £139 based on two adults and two children sharing.

Tickets for Easter at Wookey Hole can be booked online with up to 15% off. Visit www.wookey.co.uk for more information.

Time Team expert called in as River Axe gives up latest secrets

Shifting sediments deep beneath the Mendip Hills have revealed a complete ceramic pot as well as the top of another and pottery sherds dating back to the Roman occupation.

The first pot – round with a narrow neck and small pouring handle – was discovered along with two sherds from a larger pot some four metres down in the underwater passages connecting chambers three and four at Wookey Hole Caves in Somerset.

The top section of a second pot, similar in style, turned up in the resurgence, or cave mouth, a few weeks after the first items were recovered.

Divers Michael Thomas and his son Robert were training when they made the original discovery.

The pot and sherds were taken to former Time Team regular and Roman specialist Mark Corney for identification.

Miranda Litchfield from Wookey Hole Caves said: “To find a complete pot is extremely rare. To find these items inside a cave system is rarer still. We are eagerly awaiting the results of the investigation to try and date and better identify the pot and shards found. It is very unusual to discover a pot in such excellent condition.”

Cave divers Michael and Robert Thomas had swum around a metre off the normal route and caught a glimpse of the pot in their torch beams.

Michael Thomas’ photograph is taken of the first pot in situ, covered in a layer of silt which up until 2019, had kept this treasure completely hidden.

“Vince Simmonds’ photograph shows the first pot after a professional cleaning. This photo was taken prior to it being sent to a specialist for investigation.

“It’s fantastic to think how the cave system keeps surprising us, revealing artefacts of this quality and obvious antiquity.

“The scope for further controlled underwater excavations is tantalising. Wookey Hole Caves is often regarded as the ‘Mecca’ of UK cave diving and what lies beyond the water’s edge, could be a treasure trove of ancient relics – just waiting to be discovered.”

Initial examination suggests all the items were late third-fourth century flasks or flagons from the Oxford or New Forest pottery industries – which were active during Roman rule.

Miranda Litchfield went on: “It is hoped to display the finds in the Cave Diving museum once identification work has been completed. With all new artefacts and discoveries, part of the professional process is to make them accessible to the public.

“This might turn out to be one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever made at Wookey Hole Caves.”

Many items have been washed out of the caves over the years including skulls and bones from what is believed to be a burial chamber deep in the heart of the Mendips. These chambers have long since been flooded by the River Axe.

In June 1946 a skull, bones and a Romano-British pot were discovered just upstream of The Witch. Pottery is often identified as grave goods – containers for food for the journey to the after-life.

Circus of Horrors – 18th / 19th October 2018

Circus of Horrors – 18th / 19th October 2018

After taking to the road over 22 years ago and touring all over the world the phenomenon returns with its latest brand new incarnation “Psycho Asylum”.

The spectacular features an amazing amalgamation of bizarre & fantastic circus acts act’s all woven into a sensational shock / horror storey and the darkest of magic – taking the show to a whole new level, it’s driven by a mainly original soundscape & performed with a forked tongue firmly in each cheek, you’ll certainly Die Laughing.

Whitsun at Wookey Hole

Whitsun at Wookey Hole

26 May – 3 June

We’re going Dinosaur mad again!

Come and meet our NEW Animatronic Dinosaurs! Walk among these giants and see how many you can name.

Our 4D cinema will be playing Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs to really get you feeling pre-historic! Tour the famous caves, meet the Witch of Wookey Hole and watch our amazing circus shows!