The River Sink

A constant roar in the winter, and dry for much of the summer, the stream has its origins on the gritstone moors of Axe Edge 3.5 km (2 miles) away. The infant stream sinks into small 'swallet' caves of which two, Plunge hole and Borehole swallet collect the main flow of water which re-emerges into Poole's Cavern. The river can be a spectacular torrent at times but never reaches the cave path so tours are not affected by even the worst weather.

The infant river sinks deep into the cave floor at the River Sink and rises to the surface 1/4 mile and 100 feet lower down in Buxton at Wye Head spring, the source of the Derbyshire river Wye.

From its mountainous source 1800 feet above sea level the Wye has carved a deep river valley through the Peak District landscape forming the spectacular Chee and Monsal dales on its journey to Rowsley just beyond Bakewell where the Wye and River Derwent converge.

At Derby the Derwent flows to join the River Trent and ultimately flows to the Humber and North sea.