UK / South East / Kent

Chislehurst Caves

Caveside Close, Old Hill, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5QX

The Caves have a varied, interesting history and are a labyrinth of dark mysterious passageways. Everyone wanting to explore the caves joins a lamp-lit guided tour.

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 visitors history of Romans, Druids and Saxons, Smuggling and Murder.

From 1914, the Caves added being a munitions storage for the Woolwich Arsenal, mushroom growing and becoming an air-raid shelter during the Blitz, to its history.

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.

Visit Website

Opening Times

Caves

10.00, last tour is 16.00

Ticket Office

9.00 - 17.00

Gift Shop

9.00 - 17.00

Cafe

9.00 - 16.00

The caves are open Wednesdays to Sunday, on Bank Holidays (except Christmas and New Year) and every day during local school holidays.

Prices

Adult (16 - 60)

£8.00

Senior (Over 60)

£6.00

Child (3 - 15)

£6.00

Under 3

FREE

Tickets can be purchased on our website up to 7 days in advance online and will secure the date and time slot of your choice for your visit to the caves.

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from the caves ticket office on arrival for the next available tour (subject to availability).

Facilities

Baby Changing

Café

Car Parking

Picnic Site

Toilets

Other things to do nearby

27th - 31st May

FREE* Family Tours at Canterbury Cathedral

This May half term, bring your little historians to Canterbury Cathedral to hear stories of Becket and the Black Prince, Monks and Miracles, Tombs and Towers.

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FREE* Stone Week Activities at Canterbury Cathedral

This May half-term, help Gregory Gargoyle on his Stone Quest!

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Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation

A ‘hidden gem’ in area of outstanding beauty, Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation is a unique and diverse Centre with Birds of Prey, Alpaca, Farm Animals, Meerkats, Huskies and more!

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Squirrel Dash at Fort Amherst

Join Dash Junior on his trail around Fort Amherst searching for those sneaky squirrels.

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