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Mortimer's Hole Historical Tour - practical travel guide with honest advice.
Mortimer's Hole is the sandstone passage through which Edward III's forces allegedly captured the powerful court regent Roger Mortimer in 1330, a pivotal moment in English medieval politics. The 40-minute tour descends into a natural cave system beneath the castle, tracing the historical event through physical geography and documented chronicles. The passage is genuinely old and narrow; guides explain both the confirmed archaeology and the contested historical narratives around Mortimer's arrest and execution. Best for medieval history enthusiasts. This is a moderate activity lasting 40 minutes. Group size: 2-15. You meet at Nottingham Castle courtyard. Key highlights: Walk the actual medieval passage linked to 1330 capture of Roger Mortimer, Explore a natural cave system integrated into Norman castle defenses, Learn 14th-century English politics through a specific historical event.
Price: £12
Duration: 40 minutes
Difficulty: moderate
Group size: 2-15
Minimum age: 8+
Best for: medieval history enthusiasts
Best time: Morning tours (10am-12pm) less crowded than afternoons. Dry-season visits (May-September) safer due to water drainage. Winter passages may have moisture/slipperiness. School holiday periods (July-August, Easter) book quickly; reserve 2+ weeks ahead.
Meeting point: Nottingham Castle courtyard
Languages: English
Here is how the experience unfolds:
0-5 min Castle courtyard assembly and briefing - Meet at the castle entrance, guides explain the 1330 political context and Mortimer's role as powerful regent before his downfall.
5-15 min Castle structures and Norman keep context - Walk through castle grounds, positioning visitors relative to the keep and explaining medieval castle layout and Mortimer's position within it.
15-30 min Descent into Mortimer's Hole passage - Enter the cave system through a narrow opening, navigating the actual passage allegedly used during Mortimer's capture. Guides explain the tight confines and how forces might have moved through it.
30-35 min Lower chamber exploration and exit route - Reach the lower cave chamber and trace the likely escape/capture route. Guides discuss archaeological evidence and contested historical accounts of the event.
35-40 min Return to castle and historical debrief - Ascend back to the castle, discussing Mortimer's subsequent execution and the political realignment that followed Edward III's consolidation of power.
The whole experience takes 40 minutes. Difficulty: moderate. You meet at Nottingham Castle courtyard.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Price | £12 |
| Duration | 40 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Group size | 2-15 |
| Minimum age | 8+ |
| Meeting point | Nottingham Castle courtyard |
| Languages | English |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation 48 hours before. Within 48 hours, forfeit 50% of booking. Castle day-passes refundable separately; cave tour non-refundable within 24 hours. |
| Accessibility | Not wheelchair accessible. Steep stone stairs, narrow passage (some sections require ducking), and uneven cave flooring. Not suitable for mobility issues, claustrophobia, or anyone unable to manage 40 steps. Guide dogs allowed on exterior but not in cave passages. |
What is included: Guided historical tour (40 minutes), Access to Mortimer's Hole passage and lower chambers, Castle courtyard and exterior tour context, Historical interpretation of 1330 events.
Not included: General castle admission (cave tour separate), Indoor museum exhibitions, Food or beverages, Souvenir purchases. You will need to arrange these yourself.
What to bring: Sturdy shoes with grip (stone steps and uneven cave floor), Warm jacket (caves cool; passage shaded all day), Torch or headlamp (helpful in lower chamber), Curiosity about medieval English politics. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.
Best time to go: Morning tours (10am-12pm) less crowded than afternoons. Dry-season visits (May-September) safer due to water drainage. Winter passages may have moisture/slipperiness. School holiday periods (July-August, Easter) book quickly; reserve 2+ weeks ahead..
Tip: Seasonal opening only
Tip: Steep stairs and uneven surfaces
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible. Steep stone stairs, narrow passage (some sections require ducking), and uneven cave flooring. Not suitable for mobility issues, claustrophobia, or anyone unable to manage 40 steps. Guide dogs allowed on exterior but not in cave passages..
Operator: Nottingham Castle | Book directly (opens in new tab) | Phone: +44 115 876 1400
After this activity, these are within easy reach:
This activity is run by Nottingham Castle.
Book directly at their website (opens in new tab).
Cancellation policy: Free cancellation 48 hours before. Within 48 hours, forfeit 50% of booking. Castle day-passes refundable separately; cave tour non-refundable within 24 hours..
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible. Steep stone stairs, narrow passage (some sections require ducking), and uneven cave flooring. Not suitable for mobility issues, claustrophobia, or anyone unable to manage 40 steps. Guide dogs allowed on exterior but not in cave passages..
Best time to go: Morning tours (10am-12pm) less crowded than afternoons. Dry-season visits (May-September) safer due to water drainage. Winter passages may have moisture/slipperiness. School holiday periods (July-August, Easter) book quickly; reserve 2+ weeks ahead..
Tours run Easter-October (approximately March/April-late October). Winter closure (November-February) protects both the passage (water infiltration and slipperiness) and visitor safety. Heavy rain can close tours even in open season. Check the castle website or phone ahead before visiting in shoulder months (March, October).
The event occurred, and Mortimer was executed that year, but the exact capture method is debated. Chronicles mention a tunnel/cave, but whether it was this specific passage remains contested by historians. Tours present the confirmed facts plus the well-known account, letting visitors understand what's documented versus what's tradition.
No. Mortimer's Hole tours are separate from castle admission (£12 vs. £12 castle entry). However, castle context enhances understanding. Many visitors do both on the same visit. You can do the cave tour standalone and skip the museum if time is limited.
Tours run Easter-October (approximately March/April-late October). Winter closure (November-February) protects both the passage (water infiltration and slipperiness) and visitor safety. Heavy rain can close tours even in open season. Check the castle website or phone ahead before visiting in shoulder months (March, October).
The event occurred, and Mortimer was executed that year, but the exact capture method is debated. Chronicles mention a tunnel/cave, but whether it was this specific passage remains contested by historians. Tours present the confirmed facts plus the well-known account, letting visitors understand what's documented versus what's tradition.
No. Mortimer's Hole tours are separate from castle admission (£12 vs. £12 castle entry). However, castle context enhances understanding. Many visitors do both on the same visit. You can do the cave tour standalone and skip the museum if time is limited.
Best for: pub visitors and those wanting a quick cave experience
Best for: first-time visitors and families with children
Best for: serious cave enthusiasts and repeat visitors
Best for: those interested in crime and punishment history
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