Chislehurst Caves

The Chislehurst Caves in Kent are a tangle of man-made tunnels that occupy more than 6 acres and are up to 30 metres below the homes and forests above.

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Over many decades, the caverns were cut out. The caverns were excavated for flints to ignite the tinderboxes and flintlock firearms of old as well as for chalk used in lime burning and brick production for the Building of London.

The showplace was first accessible to the public in 1900, and the tour guides gave Victorians a history lesson on the Druids, Saxons, and Romans, as well as on smuggling and murder. In the past century, munitions storage for the Woolwich Arsenal during the 1914–18 war has been added. In the 1920s and 1930s, Mushroom grew and became the largest deep air-raid shelter outside of London, becoming an underground town that protected more than 15000 people every night during the Blitz.

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The caverns were utilised as a location for dances and concerts in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, introducing the most well-known pop and rock artists to the roots of jazz, skiffle, and folk music.

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The caverns are now open for business as a tourist destination and educational facility with a gift store and café that welcomes guests, group tours, private events, and kid's parties.

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Everyone who wants to explore the caverns must sign up for a trip that is guided by lamps. You probably wouldn't be able to navigate the maze of weird, dark corridors that make up the caverns on your own.

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You can reserve a tour in advance online or at the ticket office on the day of your visit. Tours take around 45 to 50 minutes and depart every hour. Demand determines how many people go on each trip; there is no set need for how many people must go on a tour for it to happen. Typically, we cap the number of tour participants to 40 at peak hours.

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The caverns are significantly cooler in the summer than the outside, therefore we advise wearing appropriate footwear (boots or trainers) and regular clothes.

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The Caves might not be appropriate for anyone with a particularly anxious disposition, a severe claustrophobia, a fear of darkness, or a fear of mannequins.

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Before visiting the Caves, visitors can reserve tour tickets online, or they can purchase tickets for the upcoming tour at the ticket office when they arrive (subject to availability). If you have made a reservation in advance, please have your printed or mobile copy of your booking confirmation available to show us when you arrive at the ticket office.

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Youngsters are welcome, however unattended children and children under 3 may find the caverns to be a bit daunting. A person must be at least 18 years old to be with a youngster.

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Although it is legal to bring a wheelchair or buggy into the caverns, doing so can be challenging owing to the uneven floor conditions in some of the caves. Please remember that you will also need to carry a light, either on your own or with a member of your party.

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The café offers handcrafted pastries, small snacks, hot and cold beverages, ice cream, breakfast, lunch, and tea. There are alternatives for kids, and if you have any particular dietary needs, please inform us. If you're bringing your own picnic, you can utilise the outdoor picnic tables available to tourists and groups.

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Here's a local business that helps the community!

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