Welcome

Welcome to the Gloucester Speleological Society, Gloucestershire’s oldest established caving club. Formed in 1956, it is a small, friendly, active club that maintains its roots within the caves and mines of the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds, yet regularly branches out to the other caving regions of the UK and further afield to include other parts of the world.

The Society is actively involved in the exploration and discovery of new sites of speleological interest and extending those already known. The emphasis is on enjoyment, and trips whether ‘working’ or pleasure, are aimed to be fun with an element of après cave.

Cavers and prospective cavers of all abilities are most welcome. We hope you like the look of what we are about, and if you require any further information then please contact our Club Secretary at info@gloucester-speleo.org, or click on the tabs above.

Where do we cave?

Locally, our usual playgrounds are the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds.

Weekends see regular trips to South Wales, Mendip, Derbyshire, Yorkshire and other UK areas where there are underground cavities to explore.

Our members also have experience of caving in China, Japan, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Malaysia, India, New Zealand, Poland, and Spain.

We’ve had club trips in the past to Montenegro, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia and the USA to name but a few.

When do we cave?

Midweek evening trips occur on a monthly basis, typically in the Forest of Dean or the Cotswolds.

Weekend trips take place at least twice a month as either a day trip on the Sunday or a full weekend away somewhere in the UK.

Club caving holidays or expeditions are arranged some years.

Social Activities

Indoor socials are held in Gloucester during the winter months, which may consist of talks, slide shows, films or other related presentations with an emphasis on being sociable.

Outdoor socials during the summer months are often walks around areas of speleological interest or other activities and will usually culminate in a BBQ.

Other evenings of social quaffing, currying and enjoyment.

Interests

Members are encouraged to partake in all other aspects of caving, for example:

Exploration and Digging
Surveying and Mapping
Photography
Industrial Archaeology
Scientific Studies
Geology
Bat survey
Palaeontology
Cave Rescue

The Journal

The Society produces a full colour Newsletter called “The Journal” which recounts our tales of derring do, has accounts of trips to far off places and also those more local, recent discoveries and extensions to known systems and other articles relating to caving and the Club.

It is produced a number of times throughout the year, and back copies older than 2 years are published for all to see.

News Sheet

We also produce a regular News Sheet which keeps members informed of recent news and changes affecting their activities, and contains a diary of forthcoming activities.

Training & Equipment

The Society holds a monthly training session for those wishing to learn new vertical skills or simply brush up on their old techniques, practice rigging or safety/rescue procedures. These are held in a number of locations above and below ground where instruction can easily be given.

We also hold equipment for free use by the members in the form of ropes, ladders, carabiners and other necessary rigging and safety equipment. Experienced Members are expected to have their own personal equipment, but kit is available (including vertical techniques training equipment) for new members and novices who wish to ‘try before they buy’.