Blood Pot

The name alone stops you in your tracks. Blood Pot is exactly what it sounds like - a deep, dramatic sinkhole near Skipton where a stream vanishes underground into the limestone, and locals have rather colourfully dubbed it based on the reddish-brown water that sometimes flows through it. It's not a show cave with walkways and electric lights; this is proper caving country, the sort of place where you scramble down slippery rocks and crouch into narrow passages if you're keen.

The main appeal is the geology. The cave entrance itself is striking enough - a gaping mouth in the hillside where the stream simply ceases to exist at ground level. Walkers in the area often make it part of a longer ramble rather than a standalone trip. Half an hour to an hour is realistic for a look around, depending on how far you fancy going underground and whether you're the type to just peer in or actually climb down.

It's free to visit, though you'll need proper footwear and a torch. Bring a headtorch if you've got one. Families with older kids who don't mind getting muddy will have a laugh; toddlers and those after an easy stroll should probably skip it. The nearby caravan sites - Howgill Lodge is closest at 3.3 miles, or Bolton Abbey Estate at 5 miles - make decent bases if you're exploring the wider area. The location between Skipton and the Dales means you can combine it with walks, pubs, and proper limestone scenery.