Walking blog: The philosophy of walking

Holywell Bay and our fave cave on a walking holiday

Posted in blog

  on Friday, 04 March 2011 21:40

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How does a county without a geological history of lime rich rocks have caves with amazing formations one would expect to see in the Limestone country of the north? Holywell Bay at low tide is a “must visit” for anyone who loves to see the unusual and the beautiful. You don’t have to be a geology buff! I repeat, if you want a day with a big Wow in it, then check your tide tables out.

The calcium carbonate deposits in the pictures are extremely slow creations. Called speleothems, at close quarters they feel and act like bath mats. Although engulfed by water that drips all over the rock it is not slippery like seaweed but with good walking boots is easily traversed.

Check out the Cornwall Wildlife Trust geology page all about tufas and speleothems and then try dropping those words into everyday conversation as if everyone knew what you were talking about. The most famous Cornish example of these pools and stalagmitic wonders can be accessed on low tides in the cave at Holywell Bay. Water drips through the lime rich rock above and calcium carbonate forms either on the rock outdoors (called tufas) or in caves (speleothems).

Even in the age of CGI and SFX it is a sight of wonder. Now you can understand why it has been a holy well (Geddit? Holywell Bay…ah yes) for so long. Children are still baptised with its water for protection in their future lives.