Dorking Caves

[1] The Dorking 'caves' are tunnels, being manmade and as such not caves in the true sense of the word (a natural underground/cliff-side space large enough for a human to enter).

[3] The caves formed a network connecting the cellars of buildings around the town and were probably used initially for storage, but have had a variety of uses including as hiding places for smugglers' contraband.

One cave in High Street provided a venue for cock fighting while others according to recent oral tradition were used as a hiding places by persecuted religious groups (see European Wars of Religion) and secret societies.

[3] The caves are open to the public during the summer with tours organised by Dorking Museum.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, formally re-opened the caves to the public on his visit to the town on 11 March 2015.