Nottingham
The Caves of Nottingham
A network of over 800 medieval sandstone caves carved beneath the city centre, originally used as cellars, air raid shelters, and hiding places. Guided tours explore the most significant caves including medieval storage areas and World War II shelters used by thousands of residents. It sits in Nottingham's City Centre, close to the other main sights. It sits below the headline sights but earns its place on a longer visit to Nottingham, especially paired with nearby Nottingham Castle. Tickets cost £8 adult, £6 child, £7 concessions and 1 hour is enough to see everything without rushing.
Priority: Medium - include with 2+ days Time needed: 1 hour Best for: nottingham's unique geological feature offering a Skip if: You have claustrophobia or mobility issues with stairs and uneven surfaces Cost: £8 adult, £6 child, £7 concessions
What It Is
You descend stone steps into hand-carved sandstone tunnels lit by electric lights, walking through chambers where medieval merchants stored goods and families sheltered during WWII bombing raids. The guide explains how each cave was carved and used over 800 years of history.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible due to stairs and uneven cave floors, not suitable for walking aids
Why Visit
Nottingham's unique geological feature offering a genuine underground medieval experience found nowhere else in England. It is not the first thing you should see in Nottingham, but with two or more days it fills a gap the major sights leave. It pairs naturally with Nottingham Castle and Old Market Square - together they fill a solid half-day. Afternoon tends to work best here.
Skip if: You have claustrophobia or mobility issues with stairs and uneven surfaces
Practical Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | Tours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, closed Mondays except bank holidays |
| Price | £8 adult, £6 child, £7 concessions |
| Time Needed | 1 hour |
| Best Time to Visit | Book the first tour at 10:30 to avoid larger afternoon groups |
| Address | 5 Garner's Hill, Nottingham NG1 1JL, United Kingdom |
Tips
- Temperature is constant 12°C year-round so bring a jacket.
- Tours are limited to 15 people so book ahead online.
- Wear closed-toe shoes as cave floors can be uneven.
Insider tip: The caves extend far beyond the tour route - many city centre buildings have medieval caves beneath them still used for storage
Photography
Flash photography allowed, caves are dimly lit so use higher ISO settings, some narrow passages limit photography angles
Our tips
What we'd tell a friend visiting
- Temperature is constant 12°C year-round so bring a jacket
- Tours are limited to 15 people so book ahead online
- Wear closed-toe shoes as cave floors can be uneven
Nearby attractions
More places to visit in Nottingham
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about The Caves of Nottingham
Nottingham Caves tours cost £8.95 for adults, £7.95 for concessions, and £6.95 for children. Family tickets for two adults and two children cost £26. Tours last approximately 30 minutes and operate every 30 minutes during opening hours from the Broad Street visitor centre.
Nottingham Caves guided tours last approximately 30 minutes and cover over 450 underground sandstone caves beneath the city centre. Tours operate every 30 minutes from 10:30am to 4:30pm. The underground temperature remains constant at 11°C year-round, so bring warm clothing even in summer.
Yes, Nottingham Caves welcome children over 5 years old on guided tours. The 30-minute underground walk involves some narrow passages and uneven surfaces. Children must be accompanied by adults and comfortable walking in confined spaces. Tours are educational and engaging for families with older children.
Tours & tickets for The Caves of Nottingham
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