Chislehurst Caves

Chislehurst Caves consist of 20 miles of caverns and passageways that have been dug by hand from the chalk, over a period of 8000 years. The vast complex of caverns are a maze of ancient mines originally carved out in the search for flint and chalk. The presence of chalk has been important to civilisations over thousands of years, and still is today as mining chalk provides lime and flint.

The last time the mines were known to have been worked was in the 1830s when the Saxon section was used by a flint-maker and lime burner. The local railway made the mines more accessible in 1865, and this helped the mines become a tourist attraction.

The caves hosted a number of underground concerts in the early 1900s. During the First World War the mines became part of the Woolwich Arsenal and were used as an ammunitions depot. Up until the Second World War the mines were used by the Kent Mushroom Company. The constant bombings over London during the Second World War turned the caves into a massive air raid shelter within easy reach from London.

Chislehurst Caves became a major tourist attraction early in the 20th Century and have also been used by many film production companies.

For further information please see the following contact details:

Chislehurst Caves
Old Hill
Chislehurst
Kent
BR7 5NB

Telephone 020 8467 3264

Email enquiries@chislehurstcaves.co.uk

Tour Charges

Adults £4
Under 16s and OAPs £2
Children Under 5 Free

Explore the Area

• Chislehurst & West Kent Cricket Club
• Chislehurst Caves
• Golf Holiday