Chislehurst Caves

Chislehurst Caves are a series of 22 miles of tunnels in Chislehurst, in the south eastern suburbs of Greater London. Although called caves they are actually chalk and flint mine workings.

Related Topics:
Chislehurst - Greater London - Cave - Chalk - Flint - Mine

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The earliest mention of the mines is circa 1250 and they are last believed to have been worked in the 1830s. In the First World War they were used as a ammunition depot associated with the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. Between the wars they were used for mushroom cultivation and in World War 2 they were used as an air raid shelter with electric lighting, a chapel and a hospital. Between the autumn of 1940 and the spring of 1941, the caves sheltered over 15,000 people every night.

Related Topics:
1250 - 1830s - First World War - Royal Arsenal - Woolwich - Mushroom - World War 2 - Air raid shelter

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In the 1960s, the caves were used a music venue. Status Quo, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd all performed there. More recently, some of the tunnels have been used for live action role-playing games.

Related Topics:
1960s - Status Quo - Jimi Hendrix - The Rolling Stones - Pink Floyd - Live action role-playing game

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They was featured on the television programme Seven Natural Wonders as one of the wonders of the London area, in an episode presented by Bill Oddie.

Related Topics:
Seven Natural Wonders - Bill Oddie

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