Afton Red Rift

Location
Grid Reference: SX 8384 6321

Altitude: 120m

The entrance is a slot in a disused quarry.

Access
Access controlled by DCUC.

Description
Length: 400m

Vertical range: 30m

Afton is one of the longest and most sporting caves in Devon. It is also surprisingly well decorated in places, perhaps because it is a relatively technical trip to reach the formations. From the entrance slot, the cave continues as a meandering 5 to 10 metre deep rift often coated in rich red stal. After a hundred metres or so an awkward climb down enters Flower Chamber. A slot in the roof leads to the tight Lighthouse Series whilst the way in the floor continues as a traverse to enter Cascade Chamber. Just before one enters Cascade Chamber there is a hole in the right hand wall leading to a series of diminishing crawls and squeezes known as the Upper Series. There are some large dog tooth crystals in this area. Cascade Chamber is graced with some beautiful red stalagmite flows and a prominent curtain. After leaving Cascade Chamber one can enter another passage that meanders up and down to end just past Mud Hall in a long rift. A low squeeze on the right is Watkins Squeeze and by passing it one can reenter the entrance rift only 10 metres from the entrance thus completing an excellent round trip.