Redhouse Lane Swallet

The most recent, big find in the Forest of Dean, and even in the UK. Redhouse is now over 10km in length and continuously growing.

Until recently only a tight and arduous streamway, the cave now boasts the biggest passages in the Forest of Dean as well as some of the most unique and well decorated. Redhouse has unlocked the gate to the previously unknown Symonds Yat Cave System.

In 1990 a depression was revealed after extensive flooding and digging commenced. The first major breakthrough occurred in 1992 after an extensive 2 year excavation project headed by Paul Taylor and Tony Marden of GSS. Minor extensions by GSS/RFDCC to 2004 brought the cave length to 1.6km.

GSS re-started digging in 2022 and finally broke through the end boulder choke with RFDCC on 10th August 2024. The cave was extended to 4km by the end of 2024. Further discoveries in 2025 increased the length to over 10.5km. Exploration of these new passages is still ongoing.

The entrance is currently gated and access is permitted to bona fide cavers only if accompanying a working/exploratory trip. Please enquire via meets-secretary@gloucester-speleo.org.

Once the exploration and conservation work is complete, a permit system will be put in place for any bona fide cavers to visit.

The entire entrance series floods to the roof and should not be entered during prolonged periods of rain. The cave is normally inaccessible from November to March.

Bolts and ropes installed in the cave are for exploration purposes only. They are not maintained, nor are they installed under the BCA Approved Anchor scheme.

Trips to the far reaches with rigging are long and arduous. Do not underestimate the return through the entrance series.

Loose boulders abound in the 2024 extensions and rescue from these would be extremely difficult.