Acknowledgements
Foreword
Publication
Introduction

Part One (1837-1946)
Beginnings
In at the Deep End
Undaunted Courage
Dawning of the Golden Age
Eminence by Sheer Gravitation

Part Two (1947-1979)
A Body of Evidence
Learning to Crawl Again
Diving Into the Record Books
A Quantum Leap
The Lost River
Taking the Waters
The Revenge of Radagast

Part Three (1980-2026)
Link Up
Toil and Trouble
Caves Are Where You Find ’em
Great Expectations
The Hall of Winds
Anatomy of a Winch

Last Word

Appendices
A Geology, by Dr Tony Waltham
B Clubs
C Entrances
D Further Reading
E Glossary
F References

Index

The Lost River created an enormous amount of interest following its launch at Hidden Earth in September 2026, drawing a range of comments by email and online.

• Just wanted to say what an epic publication The Lost River is! This is now the GG Bible I'm sure. So hats off to you and of course to Howard for his eloquent prose. PCW

• The book feels so tactile that I enjoy simply holding it! Anon

• Since I got home from Hidden Earth I've not been able to put it down - absolutely superb read. The production values are what I'd expect from Chris and Judith, and the contents make a compelling read even for someone who may be more than a little familiar with GG ... There's plenty in there I didn't know. Thank you so much, all of you, for what I know was an epic task. You've done all of us who have contributed to GG's story proud. DR

• An article about the book was published in Aspire magazine in November 2026; click here to read the article (pdf, downloads or opens new window depending on how your computer is set

• Howard wrote a second article which appeared in The Craven Herald on 15 October 2026; click here for the Craven Herald website

Ordering for destinations outside the UK

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Orders outside the UK

Although Wild Places used to offer ordering options for worldwide destinations, changes to taxation in the EU and USA (and potentially elsewhere) have curtailed these.

We regret that increasing costs and difficulties with posting goods to destinations outside the UK mean that we have removed the option to order from non-UK countries from the product pages. However, if you wish to make a purchase for a non-UK destination, lease ask and we will quote for the additional postage.

EU and USA customers please read the separate notes below

We have an increasing number of orders placed for delivery overseas, even though the page indicates that only UK postage is included, whereupon we have to refund the order. The card companies levy a charge for our taking the order, and again on refunding. In future, when we refund such orders that have ignored the 'UK only' postage, we will deduct these amounts from the refund.

Further explanatory notes are given below, especially concerning EU and USA deliveries (but see the additional note that follows).

EU customers

Following Brexit, in 2021 new customs documentation came into force and the EU removed exemptions for tax and customs duty on low value items posted from the UK to the EU (this came fully into effect in 2026, when a customs surcharge and then an additional handling charge for all low value orders was added, based on per item for the former and per package for the latter). VAT at your EU country’s current rate plus customs plus a post office handling charge is now applied on delivery.

In 2025 the required documentation added an Entry Summary Declaration / Safety and Security Declaration, requiring a risk analysis and contact details of an EU-based agent – while the former is easy (do not drop book on foot, beware of paper cuts) the latter is simply too expensive to comply with. In short, we are no longer able to post goods to the EU.

In addition, the requirement (and costs) for a 'local agent' based within the EU now makes it impossible to complete the paperwork to deliver products to a business within the EU or Northern Ireland; business-to-business deliveries are now outside our ability to undertake, a substantial loss to Wild Places.

Nevertheless, and bearing in mind the additional VAT and handling charges (which, to be clear, Wild Places is unable to cover; individuals will have to pay these on delivery), if you still wish to make a purchase please contact us for the latest information and options in this area of constant change. Currently, EU customers are unable to register on our site, to avoid anyone paying for a delivery by mistake at UK prices. Please contact us for any further information.

USA customers

In May 2025 President Trump cancelled tariff exemptions for small parcels entering the USA, meaning that an additional tax became required. Wild Places has been left with no option other than ceasing to post goods to the USA. It is not currently possible for US customers to register on our site, to avoid problems with ordering items with UK-only postage and having to refund these. If the situation changes in future, the following notes will apply, but currently we do not despatch to the USA. If this resumes and you still wish to make a purchase and accept any charge upon delivery (or to have a quote for prepaid taxes on despatch, likely to exceed £20 to cover the additional paperwork charges that the courier makes without taking into account the additional carriage charges), please contact us.

Additional note

Although we no longer despatch to the EU or USA, for the reasons given above, for any items that are really desirable within these regions, we can suggest an alternative.

A number of companies in the UK (and overseas) have made arrangements to ship goods and take care of the paperwork and taxes on behalf of individuals. While being clear that Wild Places has no association with any such company, an example is

Forward2me: https://www.forward2me.com

Creating an account is free, after which you can specify the destination country. In principle, you purchase your books and we despatch these to a UK address (forward2me or any other) and they ship this onwards, using your account, your payment and your supplied details. All such arrangements are under your control and you simply use their address with your account details for our delivery information. It is an option to consider, alongside the possible postage to someone you already know in the UK who will post items on for you.

Other international customers

The restrictions on posting to the EU and USA do not necessarily apply to other international destinations. However, if any customs or tax is applicable in your country, you are responsible for this on delivery (Wild Places cannot advise on local charges or laws).

International postage charges from the UK have increased enormously in recent years and this is a continuing trend. Please ask and we will quote on an individual basis for non-EU and non-US destinations and, where possible, combine books to obtain the best rate possible. To arrive at this price we take off the (otherwise included) UK postage charge then add the international postage charge at cost.

Definitions

The timing of placing goods on sale and their definition has a bearing on which of these we are permitted to post to some destinations. To satisfy any enquiry, please note that our second-hand books are considered to be collectable items and exempt from the latest EU legislation relating to documentation. Most of our new books were published prior to 13 December 2024 and are outside the scope of this rule; newer publication are not being made available to the EU.

Delivery

Please see our FAQs relating to deliveries, and the Delivery page linked from the bottom of each item’s page, before placing your order if time is important.

THE LOST RIVER. Exploration in Yorkshire’s Gaping Gill

GAPING Gill Hole, as described in this book’s text, is probably the most famous pothole in the UK, a factor aided by the considerable number of public visits via winches set up by the Craven and Bradford pothole clubs since the 1930s. A much-needed history of the system by Howard Beck was published in 1984 with the subtitle ‘150 Years of Exploration’ (culminating then in the physical linking with Clapham (Ingleborough) Cave in 1983). Much has happened since and, at last submitting to relentless badgering, Howard agreed to produce the volume under review.

First things first: this is a handsome production, very liberally illustrated by photographs and clearly drawn survey extracts, well up to the expected standards of Wild Places Publishing. In design and layout, it is a pleasure to read. Beck’s writing too has evolved. The text is salted with humorous anecdotes and the whole affair is clearly a complete re-write, not an expansion of the 1984 book. Significant changes to Gaping Gill have included not only a collection of new entrances, but surprising hydrological links to more distant parts of Ingleborough still to be fully understood (possibly another re-write in 2068?!).

Although many readers will be familiar with the general narrative, the author has produced a most engaging account, commencing with investigations in Clapham Cave in 1837 and bringing explorations right up to date with dives in the Northern Line, Far Waters in 2026. Every probe, dig and dive over the past 189 years is described, particularly advances from the Far Country since 1968, not a few involving the author himself. Some facets will be a surprise: the links to Clapham Bottoms Pot and, beyond Hurnel Moss Pot, to systems on the fringes of Newby Moss may come as a revelation.

Not the least attractive feature is the veritable treasure house of illustrations, historic and current, gathered in from many archives and individuals over the years, including views of several knee-trembling free-climbs up the Main Shaft. Another nice feature, first seen in Adventures Underground in 2017 (also by Wild Places) shows illustrations of books listed in the bibliography and a glossary, most items shown with a thumbnail photo. As stated above, extract surveys showing various advances toward Clapham Cave are clearly drawn and coloured and well annotated for easy reference, although this reviewer eventually became a little confused as to where each extract fitted into the overall survey, making narrative a trifle difficult to follow in detail. There is a complete survey of the GG system on page 6, limited by a 16x24 cm book size. This is sufficient for textual support, but an aerial landscape picture with the survey superimposed – as was presented in the recent OFD volume, would have been a useful contribution.

Those tiny observations apart, this is a magnificent book, beautifully designed, entertainingly written and a true model for future authors to aspire to. Howard has the talent to preserve through sections of almost repetitive effort a thoroughly readable style that led to this reviewer reading the book straight through without stopping! Definitely a book to own and savour. A true work by a caver for cavers. Believe me, you do not want to be without it. The King of Caving Books for the King of Potholes.

Alan L. Jeffreys, October 2026

Wild Places and the environment

Wild Places Publishing is environmentally aware and supports the work of the World Land Trust, an international conservation charity helping to protect threatened habitats and supporting forest regeneration, by using the services of certified local companies and suitably sourced materials. Our printer, Gomer Press, is a Certified Carbon Balanced Printer that offsets carbon impacts through the World Land Trust.

The Lost River is printed on Amadeus Silk, a Forest Stewardship Council certified Elemental Chlorine Free (EFC) paper manufactured from sustainable sources and carbon balanced through the World Land Trust's Carbon Balanced Paper programme.

Click here for the World Land Trust certificate showing the amount of threatened tropical habitat that will be protected and restored.