Many a child has visited Wookey Hole and been terrified of the Witch – a stalagmite formation that, with enough imagination and dim lighting, resembles a hooded figure. Legend claims she was a real witch turned to stone by a monk from Glastonbury. The site has leaned heavily into its witch heritage, adding circus shows, dinosaurs, soft play, and vintage penny arcades. It’s become something quite peculiar: a geological wonder wrapped in aggressively family-friendly attractions. Some find this charming; others think it cheapens these Somerset caves. Either way, it’s uniquely Wookey.
To skip the explanations and just book your tickets for the Wookey Hole Caves, head this way.
Quick overview
Admission costs £24.99 for adults, £21.99 for seniors (60+), and £19.99 for children aged 3–15 (under-3s free). Your ticket includes everything: guided cave tour, 4D cinema, circus shows (weekends and school holidays), dinosaur valley, adventure golf, soft play, museum, and vintage arcades.
Opening hours: Weekends and school holidays, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; weekdays (term-time), 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed mid-week from early November to mid-February.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults £24.99; seniors £21.99; children (3–15) £19.99; under-3s free | Peak: 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m | Off-peak: 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Wookey Hole Caves, The Mill, Wookey Hole, Wells, BA5 1BA | Under-3s; carers (with ID) | 3:30 p.m. (peak); 3:00 p.m. (off-peak) |
How much does Wookey Hole cost?
One ticket covers everything on-site – there’s no à la carte pricing where you pay separately for different attractions.
Admission prices
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | £24.99 | General admission |
| Seniors | £21.99 | Age 60+ |
| Children (3–15) | £19.99 | Ages 3–15 |
| Under-3s | Free | No ticket required |
| Carers | Free | Accompanying paying guest with additional needs (ID required: Blue Badge, DLA, PIP, Carers Card) |
What’s included: Guided cave tour (approximately 40 minutes), 4D cinema, circus shows (weekends and school holidays only), Dinosaur Valley with animatronic dinosaurs, adventure golf, soft play (Wild Wookey indoor play area), museum exhibitions, vintage penny arcades (additional coins required), and re-entry throughout the day.
Annual membership: Unlimited visits for 12 months plus additional benefits including free circus shows, priority Santa bookings, and access to seasonal events. Pricing varies by membership level – check the website for current rates.
Discounts:
- Blue Light Card holders (NHS, police, fire service, teachers, forces): 10% off for cardholder plus up to three guests
- Blue Peter Badge holders: Free child admission (see website for details)
- Tesco Clubcard vouchers: Accepted as full or part payment
Pre-booking online recommended, especially during school holidays when the site gets extremely busy.
Is Wookey Hole free to enter?
No. This is a commercial attraction owned and operated as a business (currently by circus owner Gerry Cottle’s family). Unlike some caves that are National Trust or council-run, Wookey Hole is privately owned and admission-funded.
Under-3s enter free, as do carers accompanying disabled visitors (with appropriate ID).
What time does Wookey Hole open?
Peak season (weekends and school holidays):
- First admission: 9:30 a.m.
- Last admission: 3:30 p.m.
- Attractions close: 5:00 p.m.
Off-peak (weekdays during term-time):
- First admission: 10:00 a.m.
- Last admission: 3:00 p.m.
- Attractions close: 4:30 p.m.
Important closure period: Wookey Hole closes mid-week from Monday 3 November 2025 to Friday 13 February 2026. The site remains open weekends during this period and daily during school holidays (including Winter Wonderland in December).
Always closed: Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Circus shows only perform at weekends and daily during school holidays (except January until February half-term).
Check the website before visiting – opening hours follow Somerset school holiday schedules, which can differ from other regions.
Do I need to book Wookey Hole tickets in advance?
Strongly recommended, especially during school holidays, weekends, and special events when the site can reach capacity. Pre-booking online also saves time queuing at the ticket desk.
Walk-up tickets are available if space permits, but you risk disappointment during busy periods.
Cave tours operate on a guided basis with tours departing regularly (roughly every 20 minutes during peak times). During very busy periods, caves may switch to “free flow” with guides stationed throughout rather than conducting formal tours.
History
The Wookey Hole cave system formed over millions of years as the River Axe dissolved limestone beneath the Mendip Hills. The caves maintain a constant 11°C year-round – cold by human standards but perfect for maturing cheddar cheese, which still happens in a side tunnel called the Cheese Tunnel.
Archaeological evidence shows the caves have been occupied intermittently for at least 50,000 years. Neanderthal tools have been discovered, particularly in the Hyena Den area near the entrance. The caves were later used as dens by now-extinct cave hyenas, and then by Paleolithic humans. Roman artefacts suggest the site was used for worship.
The Witch of Wookey Hole legend likely dates from medieval times. According to folklore, an evil witch lived in the caves, cursing locals and their livestock. A monk from Glastonbury Abbey confronted her, sprinkling holy water that turned her to stone. The “witch” – actually a stalagmite formation – stands in Chamber Three and has been the caves’ signature feature for generations.
The caves were opened to tourists in 1927 following exploratory work by Herbert E. Balch. They’ve since been owned by various operators including Madame Tussauds and, most recently, the Cottle family (of circus fame), who’ve added the entertainment attractions.
Cave diving began here in the 1930s when pioneering divers Jack Sheppard, Graham Balcombe, and Penelope Powell made Britain’s first recorded cave dives. The full extent of the system remains unknown – approximately 4,000 metres including 25 chambers have been explored, but passages continue beyond current diving limits.
Inside Wookey Hole Caves
The guided cave tour lasts approximately 40 minutes and takes you through chambers carved by the River Axe. The formations are genuinely impressive – stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone in ochre, rust, and cream colours. Lighting is theatrical, emphasising the most dramatic features.
You’ll see the Witch in Chamber Three, now with strategically placed lighting to enhance the effect. Guides play up the legend – it’s pantomime rather than geology lecture, which suits the family audience.
The Cheese Tunnel is a side passage where Ford Farm matures cheddar in the constant 11°C temperature. You’ll see wheels of cheese ageing on shelves – an unusual commercial use of a natural cave.
The path through caves involves stairs (over 400 steps total) and can be uneven. The rock is naturally wet, making surfaces slippery. Sensible footwear essential – no flip-flops or heels.
Beyond the caves, Wookey Hole becomes an all-you-can-do attraction park:
Dinosaur Valley features life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar. It’s popular with younger children though the quality varies – some models are impressive, others obviously mechanical.
The 4D Cinema shows short films with motion seats and environmental effects (wind, water spray). Films change seasonally.
Wookey Hole Circus (weekends and school holidays) performs live shows combining acrobatics, comedy, and audience participation. It’s genuinely skilled circus artistry, not just entertainment filler.
The Mill houses vintage penny arcades, museum exhibitions about the site’s history as Europe’s largest paper mill, and various displays. It’s a sprawling, slightly chaotic space filled with Victorian amusements, mirrors, and curiosities.
Wild Wookey is the indoor soft play area – multi-level climbing structures, slides, and activity zones for children.
Adventure golf is an 18-hole mini-golf course with themed obstacles.
The 400-seat restaurant serves hot and cold food. There’s also an ice cream parlour and refreshments hut (peak season only), plus extensive indoor and outdoor picnic areas.
What’s included with your ticket?
With general admission:
- Guided cave tour (approximately 40 minutes)
- 4D cinema
- Circus shows (weekends and school holidays only)
- Dinosaur Valley
- Adventure golf
- Wild Wookey soft play
- Museum and Mill exhibitions
- Access to all outdoor areas
- Re-entry throughout the day (wristband provided)
Costs extra:
- Vintage penny arcade machines (require additional coins)
- Some rides in the Mill (small additional charge)
- Food and beverages
- Souvenirs from gift shop
Things to do near Wookey Hole
Wells Cathedral (2 miles, 5-minute drive) – England’s earliest Gothic cathedral with over 300 medieval statues on the west front. Famous for its scissor arches and working astronomical clock with jousting knights.
The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens (2.5 miles, 7-minute drive) – An 800-year-old moated palace with 14 acres of RHS Partner Gardens. The moat swans ring bells for food, a tradition since the 1870s.
Cheddar Gorge & Caves (5.5 miles, 12-minute drive) – England’s largest gorge with spectacular limestone cliffs. Guided tours through Gough’s Cave and Cox’s Cave show stunning stalactite formations. The clifftop walk offers panoramic views. More serious and geological than Wookey’s family-entertainment approach.
Glastonbury Tor (6 miles, 15-minute drive) – A distinctive conical hill topped by St Michael’s Tower ruins. The steep climb rewards with 360-degree views across Somerset. Steeped in Arthurian legend and spiritual significance.
Shepton Mallet Prison (8 miles, 18-minute drive) – One of the world’s oldest prisons (closed 2013), now open for tours. Housed the Kray twins during WWII. Guided tours explore Victorian and Georgian cell blocks, execution room, and solitary confinement. Dark subject matter – not suitable for younger children.
Practical tips
- Location: Wookey Hole village, 2 miles northwest of Wells city centre
- Getting there: From M5 junction 22, follow A38 then A371. Free on-site car park (large, accommodates coaches and campervans). No overnight camping permitted
- Time needed: Half to full day depending on how long you spend in soft play, museums, and arcades. Cave tour alone is 40 minutes
- Photography: Allowed throughout caves and attractions
- Accessibility: Caves involve 400+ steps and uneven, wet surfaces – not wheelchair accessible. Most above-ground attractions are accessible
- Footwear: Sensible shoes essential for caves. No flip-flops, heels, or bare feet
- Buggies: Not allowed in caves (too many steps). Buggy storage available. Buggies welcome elsewhere on-site
- Dogs: Not permitted except assistance dogs (proof of eligibility required)
- Weather: Caves are all-weather. Many outdoor attractions – dress appropriately
- Crowds: School holidays and weekends get extremely busy. Weekday term-time visits are calmer
- Re-entry: Wristbands allow re-entry throughout the day – useful if you want to leave for lunch in Wells
FAQs
How long does the cave tour last?
Approximately 40 minutes. During very busy periods, caves operate on “free flow” with guides stationed throughout rather than formal tours.
Is it suitable for young children?
Yes, though the Witch legend and dim caves might frighten sensitive children under 5. The above-ground attractions (dinosaurs, circus, soft play) are very child-oriented. Most families spend 3–4 hours on-site.
Will the caves be open if it’s been raining heavily?
Yes, caves remain open and safe. Water flow through the River Axe is controlled.
Can we visit just the caves without paying for everything else?
No, it’s a single admission covering everything. You’re not obliged to use all the attractions, but you can’t pay less for caves-only.
Is it worth the money?
Depends on your priorities. If you’re solely interested in geology, Cheddar Gorge offers better cave formations. If you want a full day out with multiple activities for children, Wookey provides that. The one-price-for-everything model means you get value if you use several attractions.
Can we use Tesco Clubcard vouchers?
Yes, as full or part payment against standard admission. No change given, and can’t be combined with other discounts. Not valid for special events – check before visiting.
What’s Wild Wookey?
An adventure caving experience (separate booking, additional cost) where you crawl, climb, and abseil through passages not accessible on standard tours. For thrill-seekers and explorers.
Are there toilets and baby-changing facilities?
Yes, throughout the site including accessible toilets and baby-changing rooms.
What if we can’t make our booked time?
Check the refund policy – generally, advance bookings are non-refundable but may be transferable to another date (contact them directly).
More South-West England travel
Other South-West England travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Key details for visiting No. 1 Royal Crescent in Bath.
- Visitor guide to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath.
- What first time visitors need to know about Old Sarum in Wiltshire.
- Will the monkeys at Longleat damage your car?
- Planning a visit to Malmesbury Abbey.
