UNEARTH 150 YEARS OF HISTORY AT CRESWELL CRAGS THIS EASTER AND SUMMER NEW EXHIBITION CELEBRATES THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF EXCAVATIONS AT CRESWELL CRAGS

Creswell Crags invites visitors of all ages to discover its latest exhibition, 150 Years of Excavations at Creswell Crags, open now until September. This new display is curated by Dr Angharad Jones and marks a century and a half of remarkable archaeological discoveries in the caves and gorge of this world-renowned heritage site.

From Victorian fossil-hunters to climate change research, the exhibition charts the story of human creativity, resilience and scientific curiosity through the ages.

A brand new short film, created by the Creswell Crags team, also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s incredible collection. Staff members share their favourite finds and what they reveal about the people and animals who once called these caves home. With thousands of artefacts to choose from, spanning over 100,000 years — including Stone Age flint tools and a 40,000-year-old woolly rhinoceros tooth — this is a rare opportunity to see the team’s favourite objects that help us understand how our ancestors survived and thrived in a changing world.

Whether you're a family looking for a fascinating day out or a history buff planning a mini-adventure, this exhibition is not to be missed. Visitors can explore the exhibition alongside the permanent displays, Ice Age cave tours, gorge walks and a café surrounded by nature.

Dates: Easter holidays 2025 until further notice

Location: Creswell Crags, Near Worksop S80 3LH

Admission to the new 150 Years of Excavations at Creswell Crags exhibition is completely free, as are self-guided walks through the stunning limestone gorge and wildflower meadow. The charity that looks after this unique site charges only for parking, the permanent exhibition and for guided cave tours, which offer a fascinating glimpse into Ice Age life.

Visitors can also enjoy a friendly café, gift shop, children’s trail, picnic and play area — making Creswell Crags a brilliant day out for all ages, whatever the weather.

For more information and to plan your visit, go to www.creswell-crags.org.uk -ENDS-

About Creswell Crags

Creswell Crags is an important site for understanding the humans, animals, and past environments of the Ice Age. The site is home to more than 20 caves and rock shelters, which have yielded rich deposits of archaeological and palaeontological material now on display in the Museum.  

The earliest material is from the last interglacial, a warm period 125,000 years ago, during which hippopotamus, narrow-nosed rhinoceros and hyaenas were present in the landscape. Later, during the middle of the last glacial period (55,000 to 40,000 years ago), cold adapted animals were present, such as woolly mammoth, woolly rhinoceros and reindeer, alongside hyaenas again. Hyaenas are an important part of the Creswell Crags story; they denned in the caves, as evidenced by remains of the hyaenas themselves, including a remarkably well-preserved juvenile. They also brought the remains of their prey into the caves, and many of these bones show evidence of hyaena damage.  

No humans were present in Creswell Crags, nor in wider Britain, during the last interglacial. However, the last glacial period saw two human species. Around 55,000 to 40,000 years ago, Neanderthals inhabited the area, leaving behind large numbers of their stone tools. Later, there were multiple visits by early modern humans, as evidenced through their stone and bone tools. They also left behind evidence of their diet: mountain hare and wild horse, dated to around 15,000 to 13,600 years ago.  

Significantly, early modern humans also made their marks on the cave walls themselves. Recognised in 2003, the rock art at Creswell Crags was the first evidence of Ice Age rock art in the whole of Britain. Dated to more than 12,600 years ago, the engravings include depictions of red deer and bison. Britain's oldest work of art, a fine engraving of a horse on animal rib bone, was found in Robin Hood Cave.  

More marks were discovered later, revealed in February 2019 to be the largest collection of apotropaic (or witch marks) in the UK. This news was reported around the world.  

For further information please contact

Louise Fairweather, Marketing Executive louise.fairweather@creswell-crags.org.uk

Dr Angharad Jones, Curator angharad.jones@creswell-crags.org.uk 

Telephone: 01909 720378