Kents Cavern

Kents Cavern is a cave system in Wellswood, about a mile from Torquay harbour, with evidence of human use going back tens of thousands of years. It is open all year, so it works on the days when the beach does not. The owners call it Britain’s oldest home, and it is both a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

What you see underground

The caves are a labyrinth of passages and chambers. The rock is 400 million years old, and the walls carry stalagmites and stalactites. The route includes one stretch of total darkness, and the temperature stays at 14 degrees all year, so bring a layer even in July. The site stresses that walls, paths and ceilings are not straight, and that sensible footwear helps.

The cave has a record behind it. In 1927 excavators found a jaw fragment and three teeth, now radiocarbon dated at 41,000 to 44,000 years old, which the cavern describes as the UK’s oldest human fossil. It also says Kents Cavern is the only visitable place with evidence of three different human species, and that the work of the Victorian excavator William Pengelly here shaped modern archaeological methods.

Tours and tickets

There are two ways in. Cave Entry is self-guided and lasts around an hour, available daily from 10am to 4pm. Guided tours are led by an expert guide, and Standard Cave Entry can be upgraded to one. Tickets should be bought online ahead of a visit, with walk-up tickets less likely in busy periods, and booking online is cheaper than paying at the door. Check the ticket page for current prices and tour times.

Outside the caves

The ticket includes the Woodland Trail, a walk with Ice Age animal statues, a Palaeo Trail and shelter-building area for children, and a free activity booklet. Age guidance on the website runs from 2 plus for the animal hunt to 10 plus for the code-breaking trail. The paths are hardcore, and the trail is not suitable for buggies and wheelchairs.

The Firestone Kitchen serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea every day, and it is dog friendly. There is a gift shop on the way out, and the site hosts seasonal events, including Halloween and Christmas sessions.

Who it suits

The woodland trail has activities for children from age 2 upwards, and the cave itself is an easy walk with 9 shallow steps and plenty of headroom. It is a poor fit for anyone who dislikes total darkness, and for anyone travelling with a dog that needs to stay by their side, since dogs cannot enter the caves or the woodlands.

Getting there and parking

The address is 91 Ilsham Road, postcode TQ1 2JF, and brown signs lead there from Torquay. There is a free on-site car park for all visitors. Buses stop at St Matthias, a five-minute walk away, and Torquay station is about a mile off, with taxis available. The South West Coast Path passes close by, and maps are available at the ticket desk.

Nearby

Meadfoot Beach is around 0.7 miles away in a straight line, and the cavern sits close to coves and coastal walks. Torre Abbey is the town’s medieval museum and gardens, and Cockington Court makes a quieter half-day.

Plan your stay

Torquay has self-catering and hotel stays within a short drive of the cavern.