Bakers Pit

Bakers Pit is a phreatic maze cave system near Buckfastleigh, Devon, England.

Bakers Pit is entered via a vertical descent of 16 metres. It has 3.631 kilometres[1] of passage and a small stream, flowing to the River Dart, that is still actively developing the cave.[2] It was once connected to Reeds cave, however, only "voice" connection is currently possible, and only in a few locations.[3] Connections between the two systems have been filled in with concrete to protect the beautiful formations in the Reeds cave.[4]

Apparently it may have been used by people during World War II, who unwittingly caused damage to many of the natural features. The natural regeneration of the stream seems to be repairing these though.[5]

Wildlife

Devon caves are good places to find collembola and Pseudosinella dobati (a blind white cave-adapted species), Symphyla isabellae, Tetracanthella britannica and Heteromurus nitidus have been recorded in Baker's Pit. Other invertebrates include the staphilinid beetle Quedius mesomelinus and the arachnid Lessertia denticalis.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Longest caves". UK Caves database. http://www.ukcaves.co.uk/country-england-longest. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 
  2. ^ "BAKERS PIT CAVE". WILLIAM PENGELLY CAVE STUDIES TRUST. http://www.pengellytrust.org/bakers.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 
  3. ^ "Reed's Cave". WILLIAM PENGELLY CAVE STUDIES TRUST. http://www.pengellytrust.org/reeds.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 
  4. ^ "Baker's Pit - Reeds". UK Caves database. http://www.ukcaves.co.uk/cave-bakerspit. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 
  5. ^ "...we were very surprised how good the cave was looking. The cave had certainly re-generated itself, lots of new calcite growth...", The Stretcher: The newssheet of Devon Cave Rescue Organisation, http://www.dcro.org.uk/stretcher/stretcher1.doc DOC
  6. ^ Transactions of the British Cave Research Association vol 5; no 3; pp 168 & 195

External links