Chislehurst Caves

Many people would assume that London, one of the largest cities in the world wouldn’t have any underground caves. But we do! The Chislehurst caves are located in South East London, just half an hour from Waterloo East train station. The tours last an hour on average and no booking is required (tickets cost £6), just turn up, and be ready to be spooked as the guides tell you stories of death, heartbreak and comradery in times of hardship. But don’t wander far from the main group or the Lady of the Lake (ruling princess of Avalon in Arthurian legend) may just find you!

The 22-mile long caves are made up of three man made sections understood to relate to the ‘Saxons’, ‘Romans’ and the ‘Druids’, and many believe the caves date back to 1700’s when they were used as chalk and flint mines. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s when the caves were opened to the public, Dr. William Nicholls published papers saying the caves dated back the Saxons, Romans and that even earlier, a Druid Temple resided in the heart of the caves.

History

More recently, the ‘Saxon’ tunnels were used as storage for Woolwich Arsenal’s explosives; they created little tunnels and passage ways to safely move the explosives around as they stored enough TNT to create a nuclear explosion. After the war, the caves were used for mushroom growing and are still used/owned by Kent Mushroom Ltd. The steady temperature and lime based soil makes for a great environment to grow mushrooms.


During the Second World War, the caves were used as one of London’s biggest and deepest bomb shelters with some tunnels 100ft below the surface. Harboring around 15,000 people, it became a city of it’s own during the 1940’s. The vast space was used as a chapel, dance hall, hospital, citizens bureau, hairdressers and more. The caves are extremely dark and an electrical supply powers most of the living quarters. During the war, only one child was born in the cave hospital, her proud parents gave her the middle name of Cavina.

Recent times

The caves were organized into a numerical system. They used bunker numbers or your address as many civilians lived in the caves after their homes had been destroyed.

In the 1960’s, legends of rock including Bowie, Hendrix and the Stones all performed there. In the 1970’s, a competition ran overnight and all those who entered had the chance of winning £5, about a week’s wages. All they had to do was to successfully spend a night down the caves by the old pond, where a woman was rumored to have been murdered. All participants were given 5 candles with each candle having around an hour’s burn time. They were left in the dark by themselves; down there there is no other light so you can’t even see your hand in front of your face, let alone know if your partner is still laying asleep next to you. Only one person has ever survived the whole night, many have been found unconscious, some have been rushed into hospital with unexplained injuries while others followed the echo of the tour guides who left them there.

Tour Guide Rod said, “The trick of the light is the most dangerous thing down there. It creates shadows where there shouldn’t be shadows and your only reaction is to jump and run.” He knows the caves like the back of his hand and doesn’t believe in any of the ghost ‘nonsense’, yet your mind is still able to trick you.

Would you be able to spend a measly 8 hours in total darkness? Would you even want to try?

Once you’ve finished your tour, Chislehurst is a lovely area with local parks and a short journey from the Bromley Centre filled with shops and restaurants. Perfect for a day out, you can have a picnic or if your feel like spending a little, next door to the caves is the prestigious Bickley Pub and Garden where they sell delicious foods, top ales and wines.