Thor's cave

Climbing rocks around the cave, summit or anywhere in the Manifold Valley is not advised at any time.

Thor’s Cave is a natural limestone rock formation on the steep slopes of the Manifold Valley in the Staffordshire Moorlands area of Peak District. Its name is thought to possibly derive from the word ‘tor’ meaning rocky peak or maybe Thor – the Norse god of thunder.

The cave entrance is approximately 265m (870ft) above sea level and can be reached by a steep sometimes slippery footpath from the Manifold Valley bottom off the Manifold cycle track or from the west of Wetton village along a concession track and footpath. Both routes require sturdy footwear (such as robust walking shoes or hiking boots) as they can be muddy and should only be undertaken if well-prepared for all conditions.

The cave itself can be accessed by permissive access from the landowner using the main cave mouth. It is a slippery scramble and climb in all conditions, regardless of weather and comes with a risk of injury due to the slope of the polished rock face. It is not advised to enter from any other points away from the waymarked paths as this may be dangerous.

Please be aware that an emergency response at Thor’s cave and its approaches may require a number of different services, including Mountain Rescue volunteers, and will take much longer than normal. Remember this could impact not only your own group, but also those involved in any required rescue or extraction from the site.

The cave and access is privately owned and not managed by the National Park Authority.

The roads into and through the valley can get very congested during busy periods and many are single track with limited passing places so please bear this in mind if visiting by vehicle.

There is no vehicle access or parking along Thor's Lane. It is a permissive footpath and used for landowner and emergency vehicle access.

Facilities

Mobile phone coverage

Mobile phone signal in the valley is limited so please do not rely on this for access, navigation guidance or assistance if required. There is no manned visitor facility in the area.

parking icon Parking

Wetton village has a public car park and toilets. The route to the cave is signposted from there. There is roadside parking around the village but please respect locals and do not obstruct driveways or narrow roads which wide farm vehicles or emergency services need access along. Do not park on pedestrian areas or village greens or kerbs.

In the Manifold valley there is free parking at Weag’s bridge and Wetton Mill (parking outside the cafe for customers only) along the Manifold Track.

There is an unsurfaced parking area with limited spaces where Leek Road from Wetton village meets the valley bottom/Manifold Track, approx. ½ mile north along the Manifold Track from the footpath up to the cave. There is no motor vehicle access between this parking area along the cycle track and Weag’s Bridge parking area.

EV charging is not available at these locations.

cafe icon toilet icon Café and toilets

The café at Wetton Mill provides light snacks and ice cream. See their Facebook page for opening times.

picnic icon no bbq icons Picnics, no BBQs

You may enjoy a picnic at Thor’s Cave and on its surrounding routes, but please take home what you bring. Bins may be limited due to the rural nature of the location. BBQs or fires of any sort are not permitted anywhere and fines can be issued in many parts of the Peak District under Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).

Dog icon Visiting with your dog

Dogs are welcome but please keep them on a lead for the safety and respect of other visitors. Adjacent fields and the surrounding farmlands may contain livestock and ground nesting birds so extra care should be taken. Please take mess home.

bike icon Bike hire

Brown End Farm cycle hire is located in Waterhouses at the southern end of the Manifold Track.

Parsley Hay bike hire is located approx. 5 miles to the north east of Hulme End, the top end of the Manifold Track. There are linking routes along the Tissington trail (NCR 68) and NCR 54 through Hartington and to Hulme End. Parsley Hay Bike Hire, Repair and Service Centre: Peak District National Park

Camping

The nearest campsite is Manifold Valley Campsite at Dale Farm, next to Wetton Mill (seasonal). Wild camping is not permitted on any land around the Manifold Valley, including within the cave itself.

bus icon Bus services

• Moorlands Connect - flexible & affordable bus travel across the Staffordshire Moorlands
• Peak District Bus Routes

Downloads

• Miles without Stiles route Manifold Way
• Manifold Valley Visitor Guide
• Manifold Way Sensory Trail
• Be Adventure Smart - Mountain Rescue

Find out a little more

• Keeping your visit #PeakDistrictProud

Don’t miss

Wildlife

Dippers bobbing in the River Manifold, Curlews calling from the farmland and moorland, orchids and harebells on the limestone rich grasslands of the valley sides, Wood Anemone flowering in spring on the woodland floors and Speckled Wood butterflies in the warmer months.

Directions

• Wetton Village Car park DE6 2AF
• Wetton Mill Tea Rooms DE6 2AG
• What3Words: Cave entrance (on foot only): bravo.exams.establish

Map icon Map

Thor’s Cave lies in the Manifold Valley between the villages of Grindon and Wetton, and 10 miles from Leek and Ashbourne, within the Peak District National Park.