Chislehurst Caves
Chislehurst Caves
Extending some 35km (22 miles), the man-made caves were constructed as an ancient lime and flint mine.
The caves at Chislehurst are a labyrinth of man made tunnels forming a maze covering over six hectares thirty metres below the woodlands above. They were dug for chalk used in lime burning and brick-making for the building of London, also for flints to fire the tinderboxes and flintlock guns of years ago.
First open to the public in the start of the 20th century as a showplace, the guides told the Victorian history of Druids, Romans and Saxons, smuggling and murder.
The last 100 years has added munitions storage for the Woolwich Arsenal in the 1914-18 war, mushroom growing in the 1920's & 30's and becoming an underground town as one of the largest deep air-raid shelters in the country, protecting over 15,000 people at the height of the blitz. In the 1960's & 70's as a venue for dances and concerts, presenting the foundations of Jazz, Skiffle & Folk music to the most famous names in pop and rock. They have aso featured in a 1973 episode of Doctor Who.
Schools
Ideal for school visits the Caves are open all year, (the weather is no problem underground). The tours which last for around 45/50 minutes cover many aspects of the Curriculum, from simple light and dark right up to the Second World War, when the caves became one of the largest air raid shelters in the country. We are happy to liaise with your Educational Visits Coordinator and will do our best to tailor the tour to suit your subject, World War Two tours are very popular!
Most of the Caves are unlit, and all of our tours are conducted by lamplight, the Hurricane Lanterns used for this purpose are very atmospheric and perfectly safe provided they are handled with care. Under no circumstances should the lamps be given to children.
School groups enter the Caves at fifteen mintues past the hour, please aim to be here on the hour, so that your group is ready to go in on time.