Balch Cave

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Balch Cave
Location Stoke St Michael
Coordinates grid reference ST65734753
Discovery 1961
Geology Limestone

Balch Cave (grid reference ST65734753) is a cave in Fairy Cave Quarry, near Stoke St Michael in the limestone of the Mendip Hills, in Somerset, England.

It falls within the St. Dunstan's Well Catchment Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The cave was discovered on 3rd November 1961, when blasting at one of the working faces opened up a cave passage, and much of the cave has since been quarried away.[1]

It is named in honour of Herbert. E. Balch who was famous for his exploration of the Caves of the Mendip Hills.[2]

The Fairy Caves Management Committee administers the access to this cave on behalf of the quarry owners.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Johnson, Peter (1967). The History of Mendip Caving. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. 
  2. ^ Barrington, Nicholas; Stanton, William (1977). Mendip: The Complete Caves and a View of the Hills. Cheddar Valley P. ISBN 0950145920. 

[edit] See also