Paid entry (guided tour only).
As of July 2025, adults are £9, children and seniors £7.
Wednesday-Sunday
Hidden gem
What it is
Museum tags: History; Military history; Unusual or macabre; War: World War Two
22-mile network of man-made caves, created from the 13th-19th centuries. Originally used as mines, they were used during the First World War to store ammunition and the Second World War as a shelter. Lamp-lit tours explore mythology, geology, and history. Visited by guided tour only
They’re manmade caves, but truly ancient — chalk mines dating back thousands of years. The tour, though, focuses more on what the caves have been used for in the last hundred years.
During the Second World War, they were a huge bomb shelter, protecting well over a hundred thousand people. This was especially important in this area because nearby Biggin Hill RAF base meant the area around Bromley and North Kent was a prime target. The caves functioned almost like an underground city.
Later, they became a music hub. Bowie, Hendrix and the Stones all played here.
The tours are really fun and informative, and the whole thing feels very old school (and, for some reason, as if it’s run by hairy bikers). There’s no artificial light — or photos — allowed. But you do get to carry your own lantern.
Thanks for visiting my blog! This post may contain affiliate links - which means if you make a purchase, I'll receive a small commission, at no extra cost to yourself. This helps me keep this site running for free.