• Bannishead Quarry
• Capernwray Quarry
• Devil's Bridge
  
• Ecclestone Delph
• Hodge Close Quarry
• Others

We used to list details of the Lakes sites here, but seeing as BSAC kindly keep an up-to-date information sheet available (BSAC info sheet G7 - pdf) there seems little point. Where we think we can add something to the information given, or where a site isn't listed by BSAC we have included it below.

You could visit the excellent Scuba Divers in the English Lake District site, which has stacks more information on dive sites in the Lake District.

Also check out our Links page under 'Dive Planning' for more useful links.

Bannishead Quarry is half way up the Old Man of Coniston and is dead picturesque, water fall at one end, 10 metre viz, 11 metres deep etc. BUT the nearest you can get a car is about half a mile away. You don't half get some funny looks hiking across the fells in full diving gear. (you can't actually see the quarry until you're stood next to it).
from Allen Leaver, Thu, 11 Nov 1999 posted to newsgroup, uk.rec.scuba

Operated by Capernwray Diving & Leisure 01524 735132. Open every day 10:00-17:00 & Wednesday evenings to 20:00. Entrance fee and one-off registration fee payable, air fills from @£3 per tank. Shop, equipment hire, Breathe Easy testing and maintenance, dive school and recently opened conference, training, restaurant and changing facilities. Height above sea level 30 metres.

Entry should be from the north bank, no knives to be used.

Ecclestone Delph (aka The Delph)   back to top

Commercial site just south of Preston, open during the every day except Mondays, some evenings - phone 01257 450663. Depth 15-30m, air, changing facilities and shop on site. Entrance fee and one-off registration payable.

Particular problems are rock falls during winter periods (due to freeze/thaw cycle), access to rescue any casualty (don't go in here thinking that if something goes wrong a helicopter can get you out - mountain rescue teams are the only people who can get someone out of here), and untrained and unprepared divers entering the tunnel systems, kicking up the silt and disorientating themselves (these tunnels have killed on several occassions)! You must be fit to get into and out of the quarry, and not being a six-footer will help save your head from the tunnel roof too. Lunesdale does not recommend anyone with a grade less than BSAC Sports Diver, or equivalent, and plenty of experience to boot, dives here. The latest from BSAC also is that no members with a grade less than sports diver should dive this site at any time. You have been warned. On the plus side this is an adventurous dive site with the possibility of excellent visibility (i.e. 25m+). There have been some problems over the years with access, if people use some common sense this problem will not be aggravated. Unfortunately the rock falls are beginning to fill the quarry in. Height above sea level 155 metres.

It's not really a NW site but we have included a page on St Mary's Island - Tynemouth.