A number of sizeable excursions from the round trip into some of the lesser visited sections of cave described below are worth considering to extend a trip into Ariel Cave.
Upon arriving in Piccadilly Circus from the entrance, Soho, a small rift grotto can be found through a squeeze directly above. It is best located by first clambering onto the large Eros boulder to your right, and then traversing Northward over the tunnel from which you've just emerged onto a false floor approx. 5m above the tunnel floor. Once on the false floor, the rift can be followed a short distance Northwards before becoming too tight. Directly above the point you first find this false floor, a small elliptical hole above is the squeeze up into Soho Grotto. The climb up is exposed but straight forward, however upon returning down the hole, extreme care must be taken not to miss the foot holds as you have to descend blind. The Grotto contains a pool and a few formations. A good head for heights and climbing ability is required to visit this area.
Trip time: Visiting Soho will add approx. 20 min to your trip.
Upon arriving at Tangerine rift you first encounter the high level passages. To the left the rift can be followed for approx. 5 m until flowstone blocks further progress. Right, also provides an awkward passage for a similar distance. One metre further along the tunnel a hole down to the left is the route into the lower section of Tangerine Rift. First the rift must be descended to the floor 8m below. This is free climbable however some may prefer a hand or life line belayed to an obvious block on the right handside of Ariel tunnel as you arrive at Tangerine Rift. A 120 cm sling will prove useful. Once at the bottom, the rift an be followed for approx. 15 m to a mud slope which can be ascended to a very loose choke.
Trip time: Visiting the end of Tangerine Rift will add approx. 30 min to your trip.
Having arrived at C&A Rift from Fool's Paradise (Queens Tunnel) turn left and take the climb down as if you were returning to Piccadilly Circus via the low level route. Halfway down the climb, a window through flowstone on your right leads to a 4 m climb down into the Southern section of C&A Rift. Initially this is a wide and pleasant passage with flowstone walls and some formations. After clambering over a flowstone bank the rift narrows at a corner and looses it's decoration. The passage can be followed descending a couple of straight forward climbs for approx. 30 m until the rift appears to split with both branches becoming to tight. By climbing up approx. 4 m, at what appears to be the end from floor level the enlarged route to Hopeless hole can be found along the right hand of the two rifts.
Trip times:
Visiting the Southern end of C&A Rift will add approx. 30 min to your trip.
To exit Ariel Cave via Hopeless Hole will take approximately 45 min from the point you leave Fools Paradise (Queens Tunnel).
Mustafa Rift (also known as Next to Go Rift) is best descended at the point it crosses the phreatic tunnel. The rift is approx. 5 m deep at this point, widening lower down. The descent is straight forward as a controlled 'fall' however the return climb is rather strenuous and lacking holds so most would prefer a rope as a minimum if not a ladder as well (15 m lifeline, 6 m ladder). Once at the bottom, the rift heads south and is best traversed at or just above floor level. Beyond the first few metres the rift widens to a pleasant sized passage which is followed until it begins to tighten, eventually pinching out after approx. 50 m.
Trip time: Visiting the end of Next to Go Rift will add approx. 30 min to your trip.