About Hidden Earth

Here's a selection of some of the main features you can find at Hidden Earth. We try to run everything every year but sometimes some elements have to be skipped due to lack of volunteers or venue resources.

Lectures & Films

The weekend is packed with lectures, with two or three parallel sessions running both days on a wide range of subject. Some sessions include films with some background from those involved.

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Workshops

Several practical workshops take place over the weekend with demonstrations as well as interactive talks on a range of caving related subjects.

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Trade Hall

Traders from all over the UK (and often abroad) sell a wide range of goods from caving equipment and clothing to books. Clubs are also encouraged to have a free stall to display their discoveries, surveys or just on a recruitment drive! Clubs wishing to get a stall can apply for one when purchasing tickets.

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Competitions & Salons

Several media salons including photos, videos, artwork and surveys are on display with several categories of competitions including a delegate vote. More physical competitions also run all weekend such as an assault course, rope and ladder climbing, knot tying and SRT races.

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Evening Entertainment & Bar

The Hidden Earth bar is open on Friday and Saturday evening serving an excellent range of UK real ales and ciders at very good prices. Saturday evening also features the cavers 'stomp' with a disco and/or live band.

Conference Dinner

A three course dinner served on the Saturday evening, usually with an inspiring after dinner speech from a well-known caving figure.

BCRA Meetings

Hidden Earth is also host to the Annual General Meetings of some of the British Cave Research Association's Special Interest Groups. All welcome. Further info on the BCRA website.

Camping

Cheap, cheerful and basic on-site (or near-by) camping available for the Friday and Saturday nights of the conference. You can book your tent space when buying tickets.

Try Diving

When the venue allows (and volunteers are willing), members of the CDG run a try diving session in the venue's swimming pool. Places are usually very limited so it's best to book early. If these sessions are running, they'll be advertised on social media.