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The name ‘Dan yr Ogof’, meaning ‘below the cave’, originally referred to Dan yr Ogof farm the cave itself was originally known simply as ‘Yr Ogof’

The caves are primarily confined to the Holkerian Dowlais limestone formation (343-337 MYO) That is part of the Pembroke Limestone group, about 100m thick with another 60m of other limestones above. Some passages do extend into the Asbian limestone above

From Volume II of the British Caver: 1939

In 1912, the three Morgan brothers of Abercrave found the entrance to a series of caverns above the river in the cave and they penetrated to a distance of about 2090 ft. Realising its beauties, they wisely blocked up the entrance. This year, (1937), they were able to purchase the land surrounding the cavern. One project is the boring of a tunnel above the river entrance and the lighting of part of the cave to enable the public to see the wonders within. It will certainly rival Cheddar Show caves. Mr. Morgan appeals to the public not to try and enter until this has been done. (showcave opened 1939)

The cave shows many of the classic features of cave development and types of formations



The pictures are all taken with a OM system OM1 Mk2 the excelent 12-100 lens

They are lit by the show cave lighting only which is generally very orange and they have been colour corrected to be as close we "realistic" as possible given that extreme starting point

For more information on cave geology and cave formations please take a look at the Cave Geology page

For more information on caving please take a look at the links page