Once, when exploring the eastern side of the United Kingdom, we stumbled upon an interesting and – for our boys, anyway – thunderous delight. We’re talking about the The Chislehurst Caves. You really have to be there in person, as it is an “audio extravaganza” which, once again, your kids (and you) will love.
Chislehurst Caves are a series of intersecting man-made tunnels and caverns covering some 22 miles (35.4 km) in Chislehurst in the London Borough of Bromley, not too far outside of London, and an easy drive. From the mid-13th to early 19th centuries the “caves” were created from the mining of flint and lime-burning chalk.
None of that happens while you’re there, of course, but there is an event that you’ll never forget, and neither will your eardrums. And if you hink the cavern in Liverpool was a rock Mecca, wait until you hear this. Literally.
From the mid 1950s to until the early 1960s, Lonnie Donegan played there along with other early British rockers such as Adam Faith, Marty Wilde and The Rolling Stones. Even American rockers such as Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran played here during the early 1960s.
Today the caves are a tourist attraction and, although they are called caves, they are entirely man-made and were dug and used as chalk and flint mines. The earliest recorded mention of the mines and lime-burning kilns above dates from a 9th-century Saxon charter and then not again until around 1232AD. They are believed to have been last worked in the 1830s.
The big draw, though, has to be the large well, with the even larger metal plate that sits atop it. The tour guides will hand you a large metal device, which you are encouraged to drop on to the metal plate. Not only is it loud, but it seems to go on forever; the caverns are so deep and so vast. It’s really good fun. Read more here. Chislehurst is part of Bromley in the UK. Click here for lots more to do when you’re there.
You’ll want a car. Click here for great rates from Rentalcars.com
Ready for more fun? Stay at nHow in London. nhow London has a restaurant, a fitness center and bar in London. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with bike rental and free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. We’ve stayed there. It’s a riotous explosion of colors and textures. Centrally located. too. Click here.
A tour bus is a great way to get accustomed to The Smoke. Your Musement bus awaits. Click here.