HPB’s holiday booking service has been rated 4.7 out of 5
based on 14732 customer reviews on Feefo.
Feefo Platinum Award Feefo logo

Spend a day exploring the historic, underground cave system in Devon.

Posted by Luci Ackers on 19 October 2017
Related property: Lower Knapp Farm
Spend a day exploring the historic, underground cave system in Devon.

This secret network of prehistoric caves has been drawing visitors for centuries. Torquay is such a vibrant and popular town you wouldn’t think there is a whole subterranean system right below your feet.

Thought to have been formed by water erosion during the Ice Age, Kent’s Cavern is a huge system of caves and tunnels totalling more than 930m in length! Situated close to Devon’s coast the caverns have been formed from Devonian limestone, and the effect of rainwater seeping through cracks, dissolving the rock. The formation of this eerie but beautiful system has been ongoing, and as you explore you will pass 4 million-year-old rocks and incredible natural features like stalagmites and stalactites.

Visiting

The cave system is open to the public for tours and there are knowledgeable guides that will lead you on a special visitor route, talking you through the area’s history, and sharing some of the stories of the inhabitants that have previously called it home.

The cavern seems always to have been in use and its early history has seen a number of interesting inhabitants. The human jawbone that was discovered inside can be dated back to 41-44,000 years ago, making this the earliest known human settlement in Britain! It was used as a shelter by several early species of human and has seen the likes of cave bears, lions and hyenas. Even the remains of woolley mammoths have been discovered in there!

The cavern's earliest traces of modern man date back to the Roman era with the discovery of coins and there is an inscription on one wall dating from the 16th century. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the caves became more of a tourist attraction. They were sold to the Powe family and still remain in their care today. Over the years they have built tourist facilities and made the area more visitor friendly.

Photo: © Len Williams (cc-by-sa/2.0) via Geograph

Kent’s Cavern is a really important place to visit and, at just an hour away from Lower Knapp, it’s easy to make a day of it. Torquay is a beautiful town on the English Riviera and the number of local walks and coastal hotspots nearby are endless. Check out the website for some ideas for what to do with the rest of your day at www.torquay.com.

Remember that there is a restaurant, café and a souvenir shop onsite, so you’ll have everything you need while you’re visiting. There is also a running programme of events that take place down in the caves so take a look at the events calendar before you set off, to see if there’s something good happening.

Helpful information

  • The caves are open every day except for Christmas Day.
  • Onsite facilities are open from 9.30 but tours are between 10.30 – 4
  • You have to be a part of the visitor tour in order to explore, but they run regularly throughout the day.
  • The caverns are located off Ilsham Road in Torquay (have a look at a map here) and there is parking onsite.
  • The price for an adult is £10 and a child is £9.
  • Find more on the website www.kents-cavern.co.uk
Luci Ackers

Luci Ackers

Luci loves getting out and about for a good cycle ride or easy-going walks in the countryside, and thoroughly enjoyed the time she previously spent working for the National Trust. Her love of writing started from a young age and on rainy days nothing beats curling up in a secret corner with a good book.

How can I find out more?

The Holiday Property Bond could do as much for your quality of life as it has done for many thousands of families who have already invested. That's why we invite you to get in touch with us in any of these 3 ways and please don't forget our unique 'Money back promise' and 'interest free loan' options.

Request our brochure Speak to a representative Explore one of our UK sites

Please request our fully illustrated holiday property brochure

Please read "How HPB works" and then we will be delighted to send you our brochure, including our property portfolio, and your FREE copy of Insight Magazine. See the beautiful holiday homes and magnificent locations where you can spend your holidays as a Bondholder and learn how impressed Bondholders have been by our handling of the problems caused by coronavirus.

Please complete and submit the form or, alternatively, telephone our FREE brochure request line on 0800 230 0391

Request a brochure
Title *
First Name *
Surname *
Email address *
Postcode *
Telephone number
How did you hear about us?

We will use the details you provide above to send you our detailed HPB brochure and keep you updated about HPB holiday offers. Details of how we use the information you provide are in our privacy policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

SUBMIT SUBMIT
* Indicates required fields
HPB’s holiday booking service has been rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 14732 customer reviews on Feefo.

You can speak to one of our representatives

Your local HPB representative will be happy to call or video call you at a convenient time for an informal chat. Simply fill in your details and we'll do the rest.

Most of our representatives are Bondholders themselves and all have visited a number of Bond sites.

The representative will give you all the information you need and then leave you to make up your own mind. He or she will talk to you about your holiday requirements and what level of investment is needed to secure the kind of holidays you want.

Video chat now available with a local representative

This request is for new enquiries only, if you are an existing Bondholder please contact us via myBond.

How should we contact you? *
Title *
First Name *
Surname *
Email address *
Telephone number *
Post code *
Preferred Date/Time
Preferred Date/Time 2
Preferred Date/Time 3
OR
Please contact me to arrange a date

Your local representative will contact you to confirm the date and time.

Date/Time *
How did you hear about us?
Chosen date (choose above) *
Chosen time (choose above) *

We will use the details you provide above for a representative to contact you. Details of how we use the information you provide are in our privacy policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

SUBMIT SIGN ME UP
* Indicates required fields


See our stunning holiday properties for yourself

Having a Private Tour at an HPB holiday location is an enjoyable way to see the high standards of furnishings and facilities you could enjoy with HPB. One of our representatives will show you around the site and answer any questions you may have.

Alternatively, you are welcome to book a Personal Presentation at a hotel near you. You can chat to one of our representatives, ask your questions and view the complete portfolio of HPB locations.

BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR OR PERSONAL PRESENTATION

This advertisement is issued by HPB Management Limited (HPBM), the main UK agent and the property manager for HPB, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registered at HPB House, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EH. HPB is available exclusively through HPBM. HPB is issued by HPB Assurance Limited (HPBA) registered in the Isle of Man and authorised by the Financial Services Authority there. The Trustee of HPB is Equiom (Isle of Man) Limited, registered at Jubilee Buildings, Victoria Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2SH. The Securities Adviser is Stanhope Capital LLP of 35 Portman Square, London W1H 6LR. No medical examination is required.

HPBM promotes only HPB and is not independent of HPBA. Holders of policies issued by HPBA will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the company becomes unable to meet its liabilities to them but Isle of Man compensation arrangements apply to new policies.