Chislehurst Caves

[4][5] In 1903, William Nichols, then Vice President of the British Archaeological Association, produced a theory that the mines were made by the Druids, Romans and Saxons.

[6][7] This theory was used to give names to the three parts of the caves: tour guides point out supposed Druid altars and Roman features.

(However, 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 1232, this being that most likely because there was no taxation on them prior to 1232.)

An opposing article in the next issue showed the similarity of the workings to coal mines in the Newcastle area, and argued that most of the excavation had been made in the last two centuries and that the evidence for any dene-holes was slight.

The 25-inch to a mile (approx 1:2,500) Ordnance Survey map of 1862–63 describes the place as a "chalk pit" and marks an "engine house" and two remaining kilns.

The caves were also used in the films Beat Girl, The Tribe and Inseminoid and in music videos for metal bands Iron Maiden - ("Can I Play With Madness") - and "Cradle of Filth".

[17] Other artists that have played there were the Shadows, Tommy Steele, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, Status Quo, Pretty Things.

Radio Caroline broadcast performances on a Saturday night with DJs such as Dave Lee Travis, Johnnie Walker, Tony Blackburn and Simon Dee, who would bring down music acts such as Muddy Waters.

The music aspect of the caves completely stopped in 2000 with The Rock & Roll Gypsies being the last band to perform in January 2001.