Get an insight into the fascinating history of Wookey Hole in our Museum
Take some time to explore the three fascinating exhibitions at the Wookey Hole Museum dedicated to different phases of our history.
You can find out how Wookey Hole Caves were formed and more about the different people who have lived here over the Millenia, including the Witch of Wookey Hole, upstairs in the Mill.
DID YOU KNOW?
The caves were used by the Romans, who used the River Axe to take lead from mines in the Mendip Hills to the sea. A horde of Roman coins has been found in the caves and we regularly unearth pieces of pottery from Roman and Saxon times.
The very first successful cave dive in Britain took place at Wookey Hole. Graham Balcombe and Penelope (Mossy) Powell dived to a depth of 52 m (170 ft) into the cave, reaching Chamber 7 in 1935.
The site has provided rich pickings for archaeologists and anthropologists over the years.
From Roman finds, human skeletons to animal bones, daggers and prehistoric tools, Wookey Hole has produced a treasure trove of incredible artefacts – and you can see some of them in the Cave Diving Exhibition.
Photo courtesy of Joy Bailey
DID YOU KNOW?
Wookey Hole was also the site of one of the deepest cave dives in history (to a depth of 90 metres).
The diver pictured here is Michael Thomas, who had made many discoveries at Wookey Hole, some of which are on display in the Cave Diving Exhibition.
Wookey Hole is still used by cave divers today. The complexity of the cave diving system makes it an ideal training ground for divers.
You can learn more about modern cave diving in a film made by the British diving team who led the famous cave rescue in Thailand in 2018 in the exhibit.
Paper Making
The history of paper-making at Wookey Hole can be traced back to the 1600’s. The Mill buildings you see today date back to the 1850’s, and you can discover how the paper of the highest quality was made by hand, using the fresh water of the River Axe flowing from Wookey Hole Caves to power the mill and wash the materials used in the paper itself.
On top of the Mill buildings you can spot large vents (they look like big, covered chimneys). These vents caught the breeze flowing through the valley and directed it into the “drying lofts” – the areas used to hang and dry the paper for up to 7 days.
DID YOU KNOW?
Today, the River Axe flowing beneath the Paper Mill drives a turbine which generates electricity. Wookey Hole has been a source of green energy for centuries, and continues to be!
