The cave was first entered on 19 November 1939, after ten months of digging, by the University of Bristol Spelæological Society, and was named in recognition of the two members, F. J. Goddard and C. C. Barker, who had done most of the work involved in its discovery.
The cave was first discovered on 19 November 1939, after a period of ten months of excavation work by the University of Bristol Speleological Society. It was subsequently named in recognition of F. J. Goddard and C. C. Barker, who had played a key role in its initial exploration.