An Introduction to the Caves –
A brief hint of the history of the caves
The caves at Chislehurst in Kent, are a labyrinth of man-made tunnels, forming a maze covering over 6 Hectares and are up to 30 metres below the homes and woodlands above.
The caves have been carved out over hundreds of years. The caves were dug for chalk used in lime burning and brick making for the Building of London, as well as for flints to fire the tinderboxes and flintlock guns of years ago.
First open to the public in 1900 as a showplace, the guides told the Victorians history of Romans, Druids 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 and 1930’s and becoming an underground town as the largest deep air-raid shelter outside London, protecting over 15000 people every night during the Blitz.
In the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s the caves were used as a venue for dances and concerts, presenting the foundations of Jazz, Skiffle and Folk music to the most famous names in pop and rock.
Now the caves are open as a tourist attraction and education centre with a gift shop and Café catering for visitors, group outings, private functions and children’s parties.
Click below for more useful information
Click below for more useful information
At a glance, please note:
At a glance, please note:
Entrance to the caves is by Guided Tour only.
Tours leave every hour on the hour, the first is at 10am and the last at 4pm. The tours last for 45/50 minutes, there’s no need to book, just turn up.
Large groups however do need to book, click on the Groups & Schools button for more information.
Pushchair & Wheelchair users may have difficulty in negotiating the caves due to the natural uneven floor surfaces which are rather like cobbles.
The Caves & Café are open from Wednesday to Sunday and every day during local School Holidays (except at Christmas and the New Year) Click here to show local school holidays
Adult rate – 16 to 60 – £7
Senior rate – over 60 – £5
Child rate – 3 to 15 – £5
Children under 3 are admitted free on public tours, but they may find the caves a little intimidating!
Unaccompanied children will not be admitted. A child must be accompanied by a person 21yrs or older.
- Lamp-lit guided tours
- Free car & coach parking
- Gift Shop
- Café
- Special Events
Don’t forget when you come down and visit us on a morning to try a breakfast at our Caves Café as the café serves breakfast weekdays and weekends.
Chislehurst Caves,
Old Hill, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5QX.
The Caves are a short walk from Chislehurst Railway Station, which is only 30 minutes from London Bridge. The entrance can be found in Caveside Close near the “Bickley Arms” public house.
How to find us on Google maps
Printable Leaflet
Click here to download a printable PDF of the Chislehurst Caves two sided A4 information leaflet.