Chislehurst Caves

Chislehurst Caves are a series of man made tunnels and caverns located in Chislehurst.

The caves are actually mines that were used for mining chalk and flint. In total the caves cover a 22mins area.

The earliest record of mining and lime burning kilns dates to the 9th century although there is no further mention until around 1232 with the last mining operation taking place around the 1830s.

The chalk mined from the caves was used in lime burning and the making of bricks to be used in the building of London, the flint was used for flintlock guns.

The caves were opened to the public in 1900 as a showplace with guides taking the public around regaling them with stories of the Romans, Druids and Saxons, Smuggling and Murder. By the start of World War One the caves were taking over by the military as munitions storage for the Woolwich Arsenal, the walls can still be seen with white paint on them and yellow staining from the munitions stored there.

After the First World War the caves returned to their owner and were used for mushroom growing during the 1920s and 1930s.

With the threat of war again in 1939 the caves became an unofficial Air Raid Shelter and could house up to 15,000 people making it the largest shelter outside London.

The caves were officially designated a shelter in 1942 and had a barbers, chapel, bank, post office, hospital, electric lighting, toilets, citizens advice bureau and many other amenities.

During the 50s, 60s and 70s the caves were used for concerts having musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and Pink Floyd perform and even an episode of Doctor Who played by Jon Pertwee was filmed in them. The last concert performed within the caves was 2001.

The caves are now a tourist attraction with the public taken on guided tours hearing the stories, mysteries and history of the caves.

Unfortunately pictures and videos are no longer allowed within the caves and as such these photos are from 2013 and so are not of the best quality.