A collection of historic photos and images gathered over the years, and continually added to. Click any image to see it larger.
Father Foote's Cave in winter, January 2024The slope below Father Foote's Cave, February 1975Father Foote's Cave, February 1975Visitors among the roots at the mouth of Father Foote's CaveThe mouth of Foote's Cave, February 1975John Thomas in Foote's Cave, February 1975Maurice Hewins inside Foote's Cave, February 1975Mr Sankey, then owner, at Foote's Cave, February 1975Banded sandstone inside Father Foote's CaveFlowers by the informational signA film crew at work in front of the entrance archA film crew inside the entrance chamberCrew gathered at the monitor outside the gatesThe cave in 1960, the year before the collapseInside the cave, June 2022The pointed entrance arch from inside, June 2022Sandstone detail inside the caveLooking back towards the entranceGate shadows falling across the passage, April 2023An old ironwork gate panel, March 2024Cavers surveying inside the cave, April 2024Cavers in the water passage, April 2024Crawling through the low water passage, April 2024Spring water in the passage, April 2024Spring water pooling insideThe low water passage, April 2024Looking out towards the entrance arch, daylight aboveThe passage deeper inThe flooded passage deeper in, April 2024Inside the cave, April 2024Lights at the far end of the flooded passage, April 2024Inside the cave during restoration, May 2024Brickwork uncovered during restoration, May 2024Inside the vaulted entrance, June 2025The cave photographed in August 1988The brick floor uncovered during restorationThe dam and pillars inside the caveThe entrance arch from the pathAn earlier view of the cave mouthThe original floor emerging from the sandThe cave mouth, January 1975New Year's Day at the cave, 1975The entrance, February 1975The cave entrance and rock faceThe arched entrance, photographed around 1900The great cauldron at Frensham ChurchFrom the shared archive of historic photographsFrom the shared archive of historic photographsTree fall at the cave, February 1991The waterfall by the cave, November 1985An old, large, black metal cauldron or pot with a rounded shape, sitting on three metal legs, placed indoors on a tiled floor with a rug nearby.Exploring the main chamber, light falling on the sandstoneA visitor at the ivy-covered arch, mid-centuryA dense forest with tall, thin trees and a trail of broken branches and moss-covered ground.A dog looking out over a forested landscape with trees and rolling hills in the distance.A dog walking on a dirt path in a forest of tall pine trees during sunrise or sunset with mist in the air.A field with tall dry grass under a blue sky with wispy clouds and jet contrails, with a line of trees in the background.A forest clearing with tall trees, green foliage, and a partly cloudy sky.A landscape of a natural area with bushes, trees, a winding dirt trail, a small lake, and a partly cloudy sky.A misty forest clearing with trees and shrubs, some with budding leaves, and a forested hillside in the background.A peaceful creek surrounded by lush green trees with overhanging branches in a bright outdoor setting.A peaceful forest path runs alongside a calm, reflective river surrounded by lush green trees and foliage.A peaceful river scene with clear blue skies, lush green trees overhanging the water, and reflections on the water's surface.A peaceful river surrounded by lush green trees and vegetation, with clear reflections of the sky and trees in the water.A peaceful river surrounded by lush green trees and foliage with reflections in the water under a partly cloudy sky.A scenic landscape with a field of purple wildflowers in the foreground, green trees in the middle, and a blue sky with scattered white clouds.A scenic view of a small river flowing through lush green trees and bushes under a bright blue sky.A serene lake surrounded by tall reeds and trees with autumn foliage, under a partly cloudy sky.A serene lakeside at sunset with leafless trees in the foreground and a house with a deck on the left. The sky is colorful with hues of orange, purple, and blue, and the free-flowing water reflects the sky's colors.A small brown dog walking down a dirt trail in a forest at sunrise or sunset, with tall pine trees and sunlight filtering through the branches.Gentle stream flowing through lush green trees and large leafy plants in a wooded area.Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Photograph, September 2025Open landscape with trees and shrubs, partly cloudy sky with contrails, and patches of sunlight and shadow on the ground.Ruins of an ancient stone castle surrounded by green grassy field and mist, with a pink and blue sky at dawn or dusk in the background.Ruins of an old stone building with arched windows on a grassy field, against a blue sky with some clouds.Scenic landscape of a calm river with lily pads, green trees on both sides, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.Scenic landscape with a partly cloudy blue sky, distant hills, and a mix of trees and shrubs in the foreground.Scenic view of a river with lily pads, surrounded by green trees and shrubs, under a partly cloudy blue sky.Scenic view of rolling hills covered in trees with fresh green leaves, under a cloudy sky.Sun shining through a dense forest of tall pine trees, casting long shadows on the forest floor.Sunlight shining through a dense forest of tall trees with long shadows on the forest floor.Sunlight shining through a forest of tall pine trees, casting shadows on the forest floor.Sunrise over a foggy landscape with bushes and trees, with a clear blue sky and some clouds.Tall trees in a forest with sunlight filtering through the canopy, viewed from the ground during dusk.Filming inside the cave with small kitA small group on a guided tour of the caveInside the cave today: brickwork and pooling spring waterAn early illustrated view of the grottoAn early sketch of the grotto and its approach'Mother Ludlam's Hole, Surry', engraving by S. Hooper, 1785The Frensham cauldron, as illustrated in an earlier accountA further illustration of the Frensham cauldronPainting of the cave entrance, children resting insideA painted impression of the cave interior with visitorsSurvey of Father Foote's CaveThe cave marked on an old map of Moor ParkThe Moor Park caves, recorded in 1961Caving survey: plan of the passageCaving survey: section through the passageFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveTimeline of key dates related to Father Foote's Cave, including events from the 1830s to 2025, with descriptions of William Foote's life, the cave's discovery, historical significance, and ongoing research efforts.From the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archiveFrom the archivePhotograph, August 2022From the archiveFrom the archiveTimeline of key dates related to Mother Ludlam's Cave from 1179 to 2024, with descriptions of historical events and developments.From the archive
A special thank-you to Maurice Hewins, historian and caver, who has contributed so much towards understanding and documenting both Mother Ludlam’s Cave and Father Foote’s Cave, and to everyone else who has shared photos over the years.
Scouting the location?
The filming gallery gathers the stills chosen for productions: the arch, the chambers, the light and the textures. When you’re ready to plan, outline your dates and crew size and book a recce.