by Deepika Dudakia
18.01.2010
© Ed Chipperfield
We sometimes forget that the possibilities of what lies beneath our feet are endless. From caves to bunkers, or underground tunnels, explorers have found that the most fascinating places you can see are often right below you.
During World War II many underground shelters and bunkers were made up to escape the severe bombing at the time, now we are able to explore the sites of where these shelters were built. For years speleologists all around the world have studied the natural formation of caves, and now we are seeing a whole new generation of explorers who go potholing for recreational purposes to experience the thrill of the underground.
Both natural and man-made, here’s our list of the ten best underground experiences in the UK.
1. Caving and potholing, South Wales
South Wales is one of the most exciting caving areas in Britain with a great variety of caves and potholes. Caving sessions are available at all levels, so whether you’re a beginner or a pro there’s something for everyone. ?Caving can be delivered as a taster within a Multi-Activity session, as an opportunity to learn skills and as a way of visiting numerous underground sites with experienced and qualified caving guides.
For more information visit: www.adventurewales.com
2. City of caves, Nottingham
Beneath one of Nottingham’s modern shopping centres, you can visit the city of caves giving you access to Anglo-Saxon tunnels that have been changed and adapted over the centuries. Victorian slum dwellers lived in the tunnels and during World War II the place was used as a refuge from the blitz. The site is open everyday for a 40-minute tour.
Visit www.www.cityofcaves.com for more information.
3. Drakelow underground complex, Kingsford Country Park, Staffordshire
The Drakelow Tunnels are a former underground military complex beneath the Kingsford Country Park near the village of Kinver, Staffordshire. Following the complex's move into private hands there were plans to redevelop the Drakelow site into a residential and commercial park. This would have involved demolishing the complex completely, leaving a site of historical importance lost forever. The plans met with local opposition and a Preservation Trust was quickly established to fight the planned redevelopment.
Admission for guided tours is by advanced bookings only which are arranged occasionally throughout the year by the Drakelow Preservation Trust. Only limited places are available so be sure to book ahead of time.
For more information visit: www.stokes277.freeserve.co.uk
4. Cheddar Gorge caves, Somerset
Cheddar gorge is Britain’s biggest canyon and is found within the Cheddar caves where the UK’s oldest complete human skeleton was found in 1903.
Tours are available all year round with a cave and gorge explorer ticket costing just under £30. However for those of you who are a bit more daring, sessions are available to go caving with trained instructors.
For more info: www.cheddarcaves.co.uk
5. Victorian sewers, Brighton
Brighton's Victorian sewerage system is one of the most magnificent examples of civil engineering from that glorious period of ingenuity.
The sewers were named Best Place to Visit in the Brighton and Hove Business Awards in 2007 and have become established as a highly popular attraction for tourist. Tours fun from May until September lasting approximately one hour and starts under the Palace Pier, in Brighton, and emerges back at ground level through a manhole in the middle of the Old Steine Gardens.
During the tour you will see part of the sewer system, which disposes of approximately 100 million litres (22 million gallons) of wastewater each day from the Brighton area.
All visits must be pre-booked, so visit www.southernwater.co.uk for more information.
6. Wookey Hole caves, Somerset
The Wookey Hole Caves site has provided rich pickings for archaeologists and anthropologists over the years, and several exciting excavations have been undertaken.
Today the caves are home to different animals. Horseshoe bats hibernate in the caves during the winter and sleep there at other times of the year. There are no fish but divers have seen frogs, eels and freshwater shrimps in the underground waters. Insects such as moths and mosquitoes spend their winters in the caves.
To see what attractions the site offers, visit www.wookey.co.uk
7. Victoria tunnels, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
As well as being used as a coal waggonway, the tunnel was also used as an air raid shelter during World War II. Due to some damage to the tunnel, visits had to be suspended in 2006, but repair work to improve access for visitors was undertaken by the city council, ad hoc tours can now be booked via: www.newcastlecommunityheritage.org
8. Dover Castle tunnels, Dover
The first tunnels under Dover Castle were constructed in the middle ages, after which they were adapted many a time including during the Napoleonic wars to fortify the castle in readiness for the French invasion. They were the only underground barracks to be built in Britain. Dover Castle itself is now a massive tourist attraction.
For more information visit: www.dover-kent.co.uk
9. Big Pit National Mining Museum of Wales, Blaenafon
If you want to experience life at the coal face, then you can go 300 feet underground with an experienced miner, to experience underground roadways and engine houses built by generations of mineworkers. The Big Pit was used as a working coal mine until it closed in 1980. The hour-long underground tour is available to all visitors and more information can be found on www.wales-underground.org.uk
10. Kelvedon hatch nuclear bunker
Built during the Cold War as a nuke-proof shelter for the London government to escape two, this sprawling, multi-floor labyrinth has been kept in immaculate condition by the farmer whose land it sits within. Claustrophobic and at times plain chilling, an audio tour takes you through the history and experiences of living in the bunker. Visit weekdays for a solitary, slightly nerve-wracking attraction.
For more information visit: www.secretnuclearbunker.com
5 global underground adventures
1. Underground caves, Abruzzo, Italy
Visitors follow the course of an underground river for about one-third of a mile, with unusual rock formations, gigantic stalactites and stalagmites and subterranean waterfalls.
2. Underground rafting, Paparoa, New Zealand
Explore one of New Zealand’s biggest caves while bouncing down the small but fun-filled Nile River.
3. Marengo cave, Southern Indiana
Show cave and U.S. National Landmark nestled in the limestone hills of southern Indiana.
4. Gold cliff mine adventure, California
Unique experience combining challenging exploration with Gold Rush history and folklore.
5. Black water rafting, New Zealand
If you are looking for a real kiwi adventure why not try The Legendary Black Water Rafting. Experience this mysterious, magical underground world of ancient caves, rivers and waterfalls, and breathtaking limestone formations.
Courtesy of our mates at REI recreational equipment, we bring you the 10 best adventure spots on the planet at the moment
Comments (3)
Michael Coupar
01:02:2010
Great to see the underground world gettig more attention!! There are actually quite a few 'abandoned' undergound sites accessible these days. A couple more worthy of this list in the UK are the Williamson tunnels in Liverpool that are still being excavated and researched, and the Stockport air raid shelters. The list is so long though. My favourite is probably the Seattle Underground (in Seattle, USA of course) which is a century old warren of shops etc. that were abandoned when the city's footpaths/sidewalks were raised.
Elaine
27:01:2010
We went to Wookey Hole in Somerset when I was a child. I had fogotton how magical it was until I saw the photos. Have made a note to revisit this summer.
Rachel
27:01:2010
This is amazing! I hadn't thought of heading underground for my next holiday, but now it's definitely on the list. Heck, I might start digging in the back garden right now.
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