The Vestibule Chamber, Kents Cavern
1 / 10

Kents Cavern

4.7
·5k reviews·, United Kingdom

Explore ancient prehistoric caves in Torquay, a UNESCO Global Geopark, with engaging guided tours and family-friendly events.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, more personal tour

CrowdLow
Loading map...
The Vestibule Chamber, Kents Cavern

Kents Cavern

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, more personal tour

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore ancient prehistoric caves in Torquay, a UNESCO Global Geopark, with engaging guided tours and family-friendly events.

4.7
(5k reviews)

"Absolutely fascinating experience, our guide Emelia made the tour come to life!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Book Your Tour Online

Secure your spot, especially for popular times or special events. :ticket:

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

Good footwear is key for navigating the cave paths. :athletic_shoe:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Labyrinth of Caves

The Labyrinth of Caves

Inside Kents Cavern

Explore ancient caverns naturally formed over millions of years, once home to Stone Age humans.

Instagram+1
Prehistoric History

Prehistoric History

Throughout the tour

Discover fascinating insights into early human life and the geological wonders of the caves.

InstagramReddit
Interactive Guided Tours

Interactive Guided Tours

Cave tour routes

Engaging guides bring the caves to life with stories, jokes, and historical facts.

Reddit+1
Special Events

Special Events

Various locations within Kents Cavern

Experience unique events like cave cinema, Easter Egglow, or festive Santa visits.

Instagram+2
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Book Ahead for Popular Tours

While Kents Cavern is a fantastic rainy-day activity, booking your tour in advance is wise, especially during peak season or for special events. This ensures you get your preferred time slot and avoid disappointment. Some visitors mention arriving slightly late and being accommodated, but it's best to be punctual. Reddit

Accessibility and What to Wear

Kents Cavern is a natural cave system, so while tours are generally well-lit with good flooring, it's not fully accessible for all mobility needs. The woodland trail is also not buggy-friendly. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and even flip-flops have been managed by visitors. Reddit+1

Best Times

When
Weekdays, mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more personal tour
Crowd
Low
When
Rainy days
Why
Perfect indoor escape
Crowd
Medium
When
During special events
Why
Unique themed experiences
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Kentucky’s Cave of Ancient Sharks #sciencetok #animals #LearnOnTikTok #EduTok #stem #paleontology #geology #kentucky #caving #sharks #fossils #tennessee #mammothpark #mammothcave #cave #caving #learning #teachersoftiktok #History #prehistory
@zekedarwinscience
12.4K likes • 141.2K views

🎯 Book Your Tour Online

Secure your spot, especially for popular times or special events. Reddit :ticket:

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

Good footwear is key for navigating the cave paths. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

Can you believe all of this is in the UK? Come and see for yourself! Kents Cavern has an extensive labyrinth of caverns you can explore for yourself right here in Torquay, Devon. Whether you're planning a family adventure, a couple's day out or a solo trip into the past, Kents Cavern offers an unforgettable experience for all ages... #devon #devoncaves #kentscavern #kentscavernprehistoriccaves #...
kents_cavern
32 likes • 588 views
Kents Cavern X South Devon College An unforgettable evening at @kents_cavern !🌟 Our Travel and Tourism students teamed up with our talented Music students to take the public on a journey through the decades. 🕰️🎶 From an amazing guided tour of the caves to stellar music performances, a fun quiz, and an exciting raffle—this event had it all! 🎤🎟️ Huge thanks to everyone who attended, and a MASSIVE s...
creativeindustriessdc
23 likes • 808 views

☔ Great Rainy Day Activity

An excellent weather-proof option for exploring. Reddit :cloud_rain:

🗣️ Engage with Your Guide

Guides are knowledgeable and love answering questions! Reddit+1 :speech_balloon:

🦴✨ Kents Cavern – niesamowite prehistoryczne jaskinie w sercu angielskiego Torquay! 🌍 Miejsce wpisane na listę UNESCO Global Geopark, gdzie można poczuć klimat dawnych czasów i odkrywać tajemnice ludzi pierwotnych. Fascynująca podróż w głąb historii! ⛰️🔦
iwakosinska
2 likes • 63 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Book Your Tour Online

Secure your spot, especially for popular times or special events. Reddit :ticket:

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

Good footwear is key for navigating the cave paths. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

☔ Great Rainy Day Activity

An excellent weather-proof option for exploring. Reddit :cloud_rain:

🗣️ Engage with Your Guide

Guides are knowledgeable and love answering questions! Reddit+1 :speech_balloon:

📸 Capture the Moment

While photography is allowed, be mindful of others and the cave environment. :camerawithflash:

What Travellers Say

4.7
(5k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Kents Cavern for its fascinating prehistoric history and stunning geological formations, brought to life by incredibly knowledgeable and engaging guides. Many highlight it as a perfect rainy-day activity and a great family outing, though some note that accessibility could be improved and the experience is relatively short. Reddit+2

"Had a fantastic time in the caves today! We visited with our 3 children and arrived 5mins late due to having to walk from our accommodation and the gentleman on the desk was extremely helpful and moved us to the next tour which we truly appreciated. Our guide Alan was fabulous ; engaging, informative and knowledgeable. Really interesting tour which lasted about an hour but flew by as it was so enjoyable. The caves are well lit and it has good flooring - there was a granny in flip flops and socks on our tour and she managed fine! We had a cream tea after which were lovely and generous portions, the cafe staff were all very polite, friendly and helpful, we had a lovely time and would highly recommend thank you! X"

Amy Ellis

"This was an amazing day out! We had Amelia as our tour guide and she was brilliant. So many punny jokes 🤣 she had so much knowledge about the caves and made learning about it fun. We will come again just to ask her more questions!
Definitely a brilliant place to go especially when it's raining!
The Woodland trail was not buggy friendly, so we weren't able to go around this unfortunately. It looked nice from where we were standing though."

Lisa P

"Kent's Cavern - Fantastic geological marvel. Naturally formed over 500 million years. You cannot help but be in awe of this cavernous wonder. You have a fully guided tour who is informative and friendly and willing to answer all questions.
I have seen they do special events in the caves as well, which seems a great idea. Such as Halloween/Christmas/Movie nights. Unfortunately... This attraction is not the longest and you could easily be in and out within the hour. Disability access isnt great but they do highlight this before you visit. I do feel soo much more could be done to enhance the experience and make you stay on site longer creating more of a day out of your experience. There is a woodland walk they have built but a lot more investment is needed to make it engaging. Money is tight these days, and i wouldn't even like to begin to imagine the amount insurance costs for something like this! and i hope it is protected forever going forwards... But to make money sometimes you need to spend money! and this is definitely one of those attractions."

Zack Highfield

What People Like

Engaging and knowledgeable guides
Fascinating prehistoric history
Impressive geological formations

What People Dislike

Limited accessibility
Relatively short experience

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Kents Cavern is located just outside Torquay, Devon. It's easily accessible by car, with parking available on-site. Public transport options include local buses that stop nearby. Instagram+1

Yes, Kents Cavern offers on-site parking for visitors. Reddit

Yes, it's a pleasant walk from Torquay, and the location is part of the UNESCO Global Geopark. Instagram+1

The nearest major transport hub is Torquay, with train and bus services. From there, local buses can take you closer to Kents Cavern. Instagram

Absolutely! Kents Cavern makes for a fantastic half-day or full-day trip, especially when combined with the cafe and surrounding area. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices vary depending on the tour and any special events. It's best to check their official website for the most up-to-date pricing and booking information. Reddit

Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak times or for special events, to guarantee your preferred tour slot. Reddit

Opening hours can vary seasonally and for special events. Always check the official Kents Cavern website for the most current operating times before your visit. Instagram

Information on discounts for groups, families, or specific times is usually available on their website. It's worth checking for any available offers. Reddit

Kents Cavern primarily operates with guided tours to ensure visitors get the full historical and geological context of the caves. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The guided tours at Kents Cavern typically last about an hour, but time can fly by due to the engaging nature of the experience. Reddit

Yes, Kents Cavern is very family-friendly, with interactive tours and special events like Easter Egglow and Santa visits designed for kids. Instagram+2

The temperature inside the caves remains constant year-round, typically around 14-15°C (57-59°F). It's advisable to bring a light jacket. TikTok

Photography is generally permitted inside Kents Cavern, but it's important to be respectful of other visitors and the cave environment. Reddit

Kents Cavern highlights that accessibility is limited due to the natural cave environment. While tours are well-lit, it's not ideal for all mobility needs, and the woodland trail is not buggy-friendly. Reddit+1

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, Kents Cavern has a cafe that serves cream teas, light meals, and refreshments. Visitors often praise the generous portions and friendly staff. Reddit

The cafe offers items like cream teas, which are noted as being lovely and generous. They also provide other refreshments. Reddit

While not explicitly stated, it's generally best to consume your own food in designated areas or before/after your visit, and utilize the on-site cafe for convenience. Reddit

Being close to Torquay, there are numerous dining options available in the town centre if you wish to explore beyond the Kents Cavern cafe. Instagram

Yes, the cafe is a welcoming spot for families to relax and refuel after their cave exploration. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Yes, photography is generally allowed inside Kents Cavern. Visitors are encouraged to capture the stunning formations and historical significance. Reddit

While photography is permitted, it's important to be considerate of other visitors and avoid using flash photography that could disrupt the cave environment or other guests. Reddit

Every part of the cave offers unique photographic opportunities, from the intricate stalactites and stalagmites to the wider cavern spaces. Your guide can often point out particularly photogenic areas. Reddit

Tripod usage might be restricted to avoid obstructing pathways or other visitors. It's advisable to check with the Kents Cavern staff upon arrival if you plan to use one. Reddit

The caves are well-lit with artificial lighting to enhance visibility and showcase the geological features, making it suitable for photography. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Kents Cavern is a fantastic choice for families looking for an engaging and educational outing. The guided tours are lively and interactive, with guides who are skilled at captivating younger audiences with stories and jokes. Reddit+1 The caves themselves are a natural wonder that sparks curiosity, and special events like the Easter Egglow or Santa visits offer even more tailored fun. Instagram+1

While the main cave tour is generally manageable, be aware that the woodland trail is not buggy-friendly, and the cave environment isn't ideal for all mobility needs. However, the well-lit paths and engaging narratives make it a memorable experience for most children. The on-site cafe is also a convenient spot to refuel after exploring. Reddit+1

🏛️ History Buffs & Geology Enthusiasts

For those fascinated by the past and the Earth's processes, Kents Cavern is a must-visit. The site offers a deep dive into prehistoric human life, showcasing evidence of Stone Age inhabitants and their way of life. Guides are exceptionally knowledgeable, providing detailed insights into the archaeological significance of the caves. Reddit

Geology enthusiasts will be captivated by the millions of years of natural formation on display. The intricate stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations are a testament to slow geological processes. Being part of a UNESCO Global Geopark adds to its scientific importance, making it a rich learning experience. InstagramReddit

☔ Rainy Day Adventurers

When the weather turns, Kents Cavern is the perfect escape. Its underground location makes it an ideal weather-proof activity, ensuring your plans aren't ruined by rain. The consistent temperature inside means you can comfortably explore regardless of the conditions outside. Reddit

The guided tour provides a fascinating and engaging experience that can easily fill an hour, making it a substantial and enjoyable way to spend a damp day. Afterwards, you can warm up in the on-site cafe. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Geological Marvel of Kents Cavern

Kents Cavern is a testament to millions of years of geological activity. Formed over approximately 500 million years, this extensive labyrinth of caves showcases the power of natural processes. Visitors can marvel at the intricate stalactites hanging from the ceiling and the stalagmites rising from the floor, sculpted by the slow drip of mineral-rich water over millennia. The cave system is a significant part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, highlighting its international importance for geological heritage. InstagramReddit

The unique formations within Kents Cavern are not just visually stunning but also provide crucial insights into the Earth's history. The constant temperature and humidity within the caves help preserve these delicate structures. Guides often explain the processes behind their formation, making the experience both educational and awe-inspiring. It's a chance to witness geological time on a tangible scale. Reddit

Beyond the formations, the caves themselves are a wonder. The sheer scale and complexity of the underground passages offer a sense of discovery. Exploring these ancient spaces, you can truly appreciate the slow, persistent work of nature that has shaped this remarkable underground world. Instagram+1

A Journey Through Prehistory

Kents Cavern is not just a geological wonder; it's a portal to our prehistoric past. This ancient site was once a home for Stone Age humans, and evidence of their lives has been preserved within the caves. Guided tours bring these ancient inhabitants to life, sharing stories of their survival, tools, and daily routines. It’s an immersive experience that connects visitors directly to the earliest chapters of human history in Britain. InstagramReddit+1

Archaeological discoveries at Kents Cavern have provided invaluable information about early human settlements and their interactions with the environment. The knowledgeable guides at Kents Cavern are adept at conveying this rich history in an engaging and accessible manner, making it a fascinating visit for all ages. You'll learn about the animals that roamed the area and how our ancestors adapted to their surroundings. Reddit+1

Experiencing Kents Cavern offers a unique opportunity to stand in the same spaces where our ancestors lived thousands of years ago. It’s a profound reminder of our deep connection to the past and the enduring legacy of human resilience. Instagram

Family Fun and Special Events

Kents Cavern excels at creating memorable experiences for families. Beyond the standard historical and geological tours, they frequently host special events that add an extra layer of excitement. These can range from cave cinema nights, where you can watch films in a unique underground setting, to seasonal celebrations like Easter Egglow events, where kids hunt for glowing eggs, and magical Christmas visits from Santa. Instagram+2

These events are designed to be interactive and engaging for children, making learning fun and adventurous. The cave environment provides a naturally exciting backdrop for these activities, ensuring a unique outing that stands out from typical family attractions. The guides often tailor their approach to be more child-friendly, incorporating jokes and interactive elements. InstagramReddit+1

Visitors consistently praise Kents Cavern for its family-friendly atmosphere and the effort put into these special occasions. It’s a destination that offers more than just a tour; it provides opportunities for shared adventures and lasting memories. Instagram+1

You may also like