Within the leafy domain of Blackie's Wood, a short walk from the village of Upper Swallow lies the entrance to Swallow Caves. The caves honeycomb the limestone outcrops hereabouts and have never been properly mapped. In 1996 a cave diver from Bristol went down into one of the sunken galleries trying to find an exit and never returned. His body has never been found.
Intrestingly, the caves show evidence of prehistoric occupation with animal bones, tools and some poorly preserved cave paintings. There has never been a formal excavation.
Locally the caves have a bit of a bad reputation and the village children are warned not to go near them. Every May Day the villagers make a procession to the cave and perform a mystery play whereby St George vanquishes the dragon. The dragon, according to legend, had its lair in Swallow Caves.
Those wishing to venture into the caves should go well equipped with electric torches, wet suits and a good supply of food. There is a partial map of the caves which was done by Fred Alderson, the village's baker and a bit of a caver in his youth.
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