Relight Stump Cross Caverns

Help Illuminate Stump Cross Caverns

We're still collecting donations.

Thank you to all our supporters who helped us reach our first target of £160,919 with 7,495 supporters in 614 days. Congratulations to our Win a Home winner, Vanessa from Eaglescliffe Teeside.

This Crowdfunder page will remain open for donations to continue with our fundraising efforts to raise vital funds to replace the 1940’s lighting in our show caves.

Help us reach our target

To renew the lighting it would cost us a minimum of £200,000. So we are asking for your continued help to preserve and protect our stunning calcite formations such as the Wedding Cake and Sleeping Cat with specialist LED lighting.

Our Story

Stump Cross Caverns is a family-owned business and the custodian of miles of underground caverns on the North Yorkshire Dales Moors. Discovered in 1860 by lead miners, it has a rich history going back hundreds of millions of years. New passageways have been opened over the years, with remains of prehistoric creatures such as wolverine and reindeer found in the caves.

The area was once covered by a shallow sea filled with underwater plants and animals. The limestone rock you can see today is the remains of billions of shells and debris gradually solidified under pressure – this delicate balance needs constant maintenance, so the conditions are right to preserve these natural wonders.

We MUST preserve this historic and important treasure for generations to enjoy so we can continue to educate families about this subterranean world. Lisa Bowerman, aka the ‘Cavewoman’ and owner of Stump Cross Caverns offers children the chance to dig for fossils and gems, whilst teaching them about geology and the world around them. Schools and families bring their young ones to see first-hand the magic and wonders of this underground world.

Our Crowdfunding Journey

Our Crowdfunder journey started over 20 months again when we raffled off our VW Campervan during the lockdown period. One lucky winner drove away in our campervan whilst we used the funds to stay afloat, pay staff and to keep going.

It became clear that additional funds would be needed to replace the existing 1940’s lighting with specialist LED lights to reduce the growth of a damaging fungi called lampenflora. The new lighting will also help save on soaring energy costs as it is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly to run.

The local community, friends, colleagues, and even celebrities such as football presenter Gary Lineker, have twittered, posted and liked the campaign to Win a Home, which has seen people sleeping in the caves for 105 hours; a Bike Challenge; Open Days at the apartment and a social media campaign to get the word out.

Thanks to our loyal supporters, we exceeded the first target of £130,000 and it continues to rise as people reach out to help achieve our next goal of £200,000.

We were proud to be a Tripadvisor Top 10 Worldwide Travellers’ Choice award winner in 2022, and we continue to strive to educate and preserve our ancient show caves for future generations to enjoy – please help us continue this vital work.

#lightourcaves #savethecave

• STUMP CROSS CAVERNS 

Prize Draw 2023 

It’s really hard out there and we want to give you something to look forward too!

WIN A 2 NIGHT STAY IN THE LAKES!!

Set in the heart of the English Lake District and surrounded by breathtaking scenery and some of the finest walking, biking and climbing locations on the Country.  The Langdale Estate offers a choice of luxury hotel & self catering accommodation, spa experiences and therapies, restaurant and bar.

What will I win…

PRIZE:-

 Win a 2 night stay in a signiture room at Langdale hotel and spa paid for.

This will include Bed and Breakfast We will also give you £200.00 towards your Evening Meals.

This can be taken anytime to suit you over the next 12 months once the prize draw has ended on the 8th March 2023. Just choose the pledge to win a 2 night stay in the lakes!

We want to make 2023 a year to remember by giving you a chance to win this lovely break. Here’s your chance to make it come true, all for just £2 per pledge! Who will you take with you? 

Just think....WIN:- a break in the lakes for 2 

We are the STUMPY TEAM from STUMP CROSS CAVERNS featured on national tv and local radio stations. We successfully raised a huge £160.919 pounds towards the lighting! Did you see us climbing the steps 1000 times each in the first lockdown to survive? Ouch! THANK YOU so much for all your help and support. Did you see us Sleeping in the Caves? Raffling off our camper van to survive the pandemic? Also the BIG ONE …Thank you to all our supporters who helped us reach our first target of £160,919 with 7,495 supporters in 614 days, when we raffled off our beautiful apartment in Pateley Bridge! Congratulations to our Win a Home winner, Vanessa from Eaglescliffe Teeside. 

We couldn’t do it without You and can’t wait to spoil you with your amazing prize! You so deserve it AND you are also looking after a little piece of history 

Who will be our next winner? It could be YOU!

Terms and Conditions

Please LEAVE YOUR NAME and contact details and not anonymous donations if you wish to be entered into the prize draw.  Just comment PRIZE DRAW and choose one of the pledges to win a 2 night stay in the lakes.  Any donations made after 12pm on 8th March 2023, (my birthday and international womens day) will NOT gain entry into the draw. One entry per £2 donated. UK entries only.

To enter via post please send to C/o L. Bowerman, Stump Cross Caverns, Greenhow Hill, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 5JL.

Hosted by Lisa Bowerman

The Prize Draw in support of Stump Cross Caverns is raising money to enable us to replace the entire lighting system at Stump Cross Caverns. The lighting was installed in 1948. The new lighting will be 80% more energy efficient. We are a small family business and want to improve and protect our heritage.

The profits from this incredible Prize Draw will go to Stump Cross Caverns to help with the relighting campaign. The new lighting will cost at least £200,000. This will make a massive difference

The prize has been donated by Lisa Bowerman and Nick Markham xx 

We want you to indulge and enjoy yourselves in one of our favourite places to reset. In the most magical setting at Langdale hotel and spa in the heart of the stunning Lake District!