Tucked away below Liverpool’s lively streets is an incredible network of subterranean tunnels. Created by former tobacco merchant Joseph Williamson in the early 19th century, the exact purpose of the underground labyrinth is unknown, some believing that Williamson wanted to provide labour work for the unemployed. The tunnels are currently open for tours on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Over 500 red sandstone caves make up this hidden world in Nottingham, which holds the title of the biggest network of underground caves in the UK. Dating back as far as the Dark Ages, the hand-carved caves have been used for everything you could imagine, from housing and bar cellars to dungeons and air-raid shelters. The National Museum of Justice is currently offering admission and audio tours of the caves for groups of up to six.
With its mysterious underground waters, shadowy caverns and rare rocks, we can see why these limestone caves in Somerset are linked to a spooky story. Legend has it that a monk tried to exorcise an alleged witch that lived in the caves and she instantly turned to stone, forming a human-shaped rock that continues to baffle visitors today. Alongside the caves, other family-friendly attractions currently open at Wookey Hole include the Dinosaur Park, the Cave Diving Museum and Penny Arcade.
Buried deep in the heart of Snowdonia National Park in Wales lies a slate mine dating back 160 years. Britain’s steepest cable railway takes passengers 500 feet (152.4m) deep below the surface into the spectacular man-made caverns of Llechwedd. On a guided tour, visitors will learn the mine’s history and follow in the footsteps of the miners who worked there up to 12 hours a day. Discover 30 more reasons to love Wales here.
One of Fife’s most underrated attractions, this concealed Cold War bunker is one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets. The building may look like the average farmhouse but venture 100 feet (30m) below to see the former nuclear bunker reinforced by concrete. Built in 1951, the bunker was used as a command centre during the Cold War and was fully operational until 1993. Visitors can still see the equipment used to intercept Soviet forces as well as the RAF operations room that were left behind after the war ended.
The Marble Arch Caves in the Northern Irish village of Florencecourt was discovered by two explorers in 1895 and quickly became a much-loved tourist destination. Named after a nearby natural limestone arch, the impressive cave system was formed over millions of years. A guided cave tour takes visitors through the underground world; highlights include a peaceful cave river, striking rock formations and a sandy cave beach that has never seen sunlight.
Hidden underneath the Forest of Dean is a cluster of craggy caverns and underground passageways known as Clearwell Caves. The caves were used for ochre and iron ore mining for thousands of years until they opened to the public in 1968. With its sweeping chambers, rust-coloured rocks and narrow passageways, the caves are a popular filming location, featured in Dr Who, Merlin and The Chronicles of Narnia. For event prices and opening times, check out the website here.
Nestled beneath the seaside town of Ramsgate is a sprawling labyrinth of underground tunnels used as a shelter during the Second World War. Constructed in 1863 as a former railway tunnel, the railway was closed in 1926 before it was converted into a public wartime shelter in 1939. Up to 1,200 miles (1,931km) of the tunnel network is currently open for guided walking tours which chronicles the history of the hidden town.
Beneath the limestone cliffs and deep valleys of the Yorkshire Dales lies the longest show cave in England. Stretching across over 328 feet (100m), White Scar Cave is best known for its picturesque underground waterfall which was discovered in 1923 by student Christopher Long and its unusual rock formations, nicknamed ‘the carrots’ for their shape and colour. Opening times are dependent on weather conditions, see the website for updates.
In the 19th century, excavators unearthed human remains and prehistoric animal bones from this vast cavern in Devon dating back to the Stone Age. The excavation lasted a staggering 15 years and is the best-known exploration of the site. Today, the caves are recognised as one of Europe’s most important Stone Age sites, pre-booked tours exploring the cave’s history are currently available for up to six people.
Located in the former Royal Air Force Uxbridge site, the Battle of Britain Bunker was once used by RAF Fighter Command as No.11 Group Operations Room during the Second World War. Hour-long tours take visitors 76 steps below ground to see the original bunker followed by the Battle of Britain Bunker Air Defense Exhibition nearby. Timed entry tickets and tours are still available with limited capacity and must be booked in advance.
Deep below the historic spa town of Buxton is a magnificent natural limestone cave that’s over two million years old. Attracting adventurers as early as the 16th century, the cavern found fame after 19th-century writer Charles Cotton listed it as one of his seven ‘Wonders of the Peak’. Its glistening crystal stalactites and formidable caverns are the main highlights and guided tours can be booked here.
Set in Sutherland’s limestone cliffs in Scotland, Smoo Cave is quite the magnificent sight. Measuring 50 feet (15m) high, the spectacular cave entrance is one of the highest in Britain. Smoo Burn is the cave’s crown jewels, a pretty waterfall that dramatically drops into the water below. Smoo Cave is currently open, with local guides Smoo Cave Tours offering walking excursions into the main and second chamber only.
This 19th-century waggonway trails underneath the city of Newcastle towards the River Tyne. Originally built for transporting coal from a colliery to the river during the mid 19th century, the tunnel was later used as a Second World War air-raid shelter. Since 2010, Victoria Tunnel has been opened for guided tours and is currently offering one-hour single-household tours only. Discover more of the world’s most awesome abandoned underground attractions here.
Right off the coast of the Scottish island of Staffa is an awe-inspiring sea cave known as Fingal’s cave. Measuring a staggering 227 feet (69m), the colossal cavern is known for its unique hexagonal limestone formations and is one of Scotland’s most amazing natural wonders. Tour companies such as Staffa Tours are still running boat trips to see Fingal’s Cave alongside the island. For more awe-inspiring caves, explore the world’s most amazing caves and caverns here.
Buried roughly 98 feet (30m) below ground on the edge of southeast London, are a complex maze of man-made tunnels. Carved out over hundreds of years, Chislehurst Caves were dug out for their chalk which was used for the brick-making and lime burning to help build the capital. Since then, the caves have been used for storing weapons during the First World War, as a music venue in the 50s, 60s and 70s and are currently open for advanced timed tours only.
Tucked away below the pretty seaside town of Hastings is a series of mysterious caves. Formed around 14,000 BC, St Clements caves have a colourful history, being used as a hospital, air raid-shelter and even as a ballroom in their past life. Today, the caves are home to an exciting Pirate themed experience named Smugglers Adventure, inspired by the real-life tales of piracy along the Sussex Coast.
Another Welsh gem, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales can be found hidden below the Brecon Beacons National Park. Venture through narrow passageways and see incredible rock formations dating back millions of years. The incredible River Llynfell zigzags through the caves while ‘The Dome of St Pauls’ features jaw-dropping 40 foot (12m) high underground waterfalls. For more stunning cascades, explore the world’s most beautiful waterfalls here.
This mythical cave hidden in the heart of the picturesque village of Knaresborough is regarded as one of England’s oldest attractions. The cave was named after the alleged 15th-century prophetess Mother Shipton (formerly named Ursula Sontheil) who was born inside after she foretold the invention of iron ships and the Great Fire of London in 1666. Nearby, the site is also home to the Petrifying Well, known for its miraculous healing waters.
Nestled on the fringes of the sleepy market town of Dudley is an impressive network of underground canals. Here, boat tours take visitors on a journey through the maze of tunnels and caverns made from 428 million-year-old limestone. Visitors will learn the history of the incredible handmade tunnels that were built during the Industrial Revolution. Tours are currently available to book for small groups of up to two adults and two children.
Delve beneath the cobbled streets and historic buildings of Edinburgh's Old Town and you’ll find Mary King’s Close, a chilling underground world frozen in time. Buried after the Royal Exchange was built during the 18th century, an eerie maze of alleyways, passages and buildings make up the city’s only 17th century preserved underground street. Costumed tour guides immerse visitors into the gruesome stories of the residents that once lived there.
Buried beneath Bristol’s Clifton Observatory is one of the city’s most amazing attractions. Down 130 steps within Avon Gorge, Giant’s Cave is famed for being the home of Bristol’s famous giants, Goram and Ghyston. The 200 foot-long (61m) tunnel leads to the cave which fans out into a platform overlooking the scenic gorge and Clifton’s famous Suspension Bridge. Tickets to the cave can be purchased here.
Just off the borders of the Peak District National Park is a museum dedicated to Derbyshire’s history of lead mining. The Peak District Mining Museum houses an impressive collection of artefacts recalling the lost lead industry, alongside interactive exhibits and mock mining tunnels to enjoy. Across from the museum, individual family group tours are currently available venturing underground to see a 20th century working lead and fluorspar mine.
The origins of London’s underground train system can be found deep beneath the Brunel Museum in Southwark. Inside is the vast chamber where work on the world’s first underwater tunnel began in 1825. Created by father and son duo Marc and Isambard Brunel, the Thames Tunnel opened in 1843 and quickly became a tourist hot spot. The former shaft entrance has been converted into the museum’s Grand Entrance Hall, which typically hosts live performances.
For those feeling a little more adventures, the Llechwedd slate mine is also home to Zip World Slate Caverns which features thrilling activities deep below the surface. Attractions currently on offer in the subterranean playground include Bounce Below, a giant trampoline park and Caverns, an adventure course exploring the slate chambers. You can find out more here.
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