Photographs of the enigmatic Leck Fell and neighbouring Gragareth in the Yorkshire Dales National Park of Lancashire
Aerial view of the Cumbria/Lancashire border along Ease Gill which separates the Leck and Casterton Fells.
Swaledale sheep beside Leck Beck on the lower slopes of Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire.
Hawthorn tree growing out of a limestone outcrop on Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Lancashire.
Limestone outcrop on Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire.
A view over Casterton Fell towards Brownthwaite and the Barbon Low and High Fells.
Early evening on a heather-clad Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Lancashire.
Hawthorn growing out of a lime kiln on Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire.
Big Meanie pothole, Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire.
Big Meanie may look harmless, but a 49m shaft lurks in the darkness.
Rumbling Beck, Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire.
The waters of Rumbling Beck disappear underground through Rumbling Beck Cave and reappear as a waterfall in the entrance shaft of the mighty Rumbling Hole.
Rumbling Hole on Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire.
The entrance shaft to the amazing Rumbling Hole descends to a depth of 50m / 160ft. In 1888, Balderstones described their first sight of this sinister but remarkably beautiful pothole in the book, Ingleton, Bygone and Present, "We felt spellbound for the moment, and quite unmatched in our cave hunting attire for the felicitous loveliness before us. . . In the tables of memory we set it down, that others might revel in what so delighted us, accustomed as we have been both from youth and observation to such scenes." He then went on to describe the rich flora that adorns the entrance, "There lay an abysmal gulf most certainly, but its head was festooned with long and trailing, or rather pendant locks of ivy. One could have wished to have been so beauteously enwreathed. The verge was adorned with holly, hawthorn, and bilberry, whilst rocks and ledges were carpeted with moss, polypody, blechnum, and oxalis". The name, Rumbling Hole originated from the strange sounds that can be heard from the depths as a waterfall tumbles into the pothole from Rumbling Beck Cave. Again from Balderstones, "Tap tap tap comes slowly from the distant depths; this is the home of the gnomes or fairies; they are at work below in their workshop, and a far-off hammering can be heard. Leave them in peace!"
The fenced off Long Drop Cave on Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire.
The fenced off Short Drop Cave on Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire.
Death's Head Hole, Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire.
A 64m deep shaft that leads into Lost Johns' Cave, and is part of the Three Counties System.
Eye Holes on Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire.
One of a pair of holes with an intervening limestone bridge.
Cavers recover the bones of a Stone Age aurochs from Cupcake Pot on Leck Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire..
Cavers and local historian, Tom Lord recover the bones of a Stone Age aurochs from Cupcake Pot on Leck Fell in Lancashire.
Caver recover the bones of a Stone Age aurochs from Cupcake Pot on Leck Fell in Lancashire.
Cavers recover the bones of a Stone Age aurochs from Cupcake Pot on Leck Fell in Lancashire.
Front foot bones of a Stone Age aurochs excavated from Cup Cake Pot on Leck Fell in Lancashire.