Vast cave network hidden beneath London car park was once home to thousands

A vast network of caves, spanning over 22 miles, is concealed beneath a car park in London. These caves are not natural formations but were astonishingly carved out by humans over centuries, with origins dating back to the Romans and Saxons around 500AD, and possibly even earlier according to local folklore.

Just a short 20-minute train ride from London Bridge, you'd never suspect what lies beneath your feet, surrounded by suburban London.

In its historical past, Chislehurst Caves served as a chalk mine and mushroom farm before the 100ft deep vaults were identified as perfect for those seeking shelter from the destruction above during World War Two. When the Luftwaffe launched their bombing campaign aiming to force Britain into submission, thousands sought refuge in their nearest Underground station - or in Chislehurst.

By the time the bombs started falling, a massive effort had been undertaken to clean out the caves, set up a hospital, install electricity, hundreds of beds, multiple canteens and even a cinema, effectively constructing an underground city. During the Blitz, the caves would open to the public at 7pm each evening, providing sanctuary as night fell.

Adults were charged sixpence a week and children thruppence to stay in what was affectionately known as the Chislehurst Hotel. Occasional visitors had to find any available space, while regulars claimed their own spots, personalising them as much as they could, reports the Mirror.

During the war, the caves became a refuge for tens of thousands of Londoners. A baby girl was even born within these walls and, following the midwife's suggestion, she was named Cavena Wakeman.

The task of managing waste from the nightly influx of people overwhelmed the available toilets, leading to guests being asked to bring their own containers for after-dark emergencies.

"Thousands of buckets in the pitch black. Can you imagine the chaos?" commented one tour guide.

Historical records dating back to the 13th century mention the caves' use for mining lime-burning chalk and flint. The discovery of a prehistoric skeleton in the ceiling suggests the caves date back to 10,000 BC, when they provided shelter during the Ice Age.

In the early 20th century, tourism in the area boomed as rumours spread about the caves' ancient history - a theory promoted by William Nichols, vice president of the British Archaeological Association at the time.

Journalist Milo Boyd, who took a guided tour, said: "When I visited, our guide keenly counted everyone in and out of the tunnels, having handed each of us an oil lantern in case we managed to wander off the path. Over the years dogs have been taken down to find those lost in the caverns."

During their more recent use after the war as a rock and rave venue, where legends like Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix performed, it wasn't unusual for party-goers to wake up deep within the caves after having one too many.

The antics of these revellers, who would emerge onto residential streets at 3am after a night underground, led to Chislehurst Caves being shut down as a music hall in the early 80s. But this didn't entirely stop the fun.

One morning, guides found missing wall lamps in the tunnels. Further investigation revealed that a group of teenage dirt bikers had broken in overnight and used the lights to create a track through the darkness.

"It struck me, as I walked deeper and deeper into the network, the warmth of an early September day replaced by a damp chill, that you would have to be an adrenaline fuelled teenager to venture into the caves alone at night," Milo said.

"At one point our guide struck a huge gong, causing a horrifying cacophony to bounce round and round the tunnels, making clear how far the maze sprawled. We moved on to an underground lake where, spooky rumour has it, a strange, perhaps ghoulishly shaped misty vapour has a habit of appearing to lone adventurers."

These caves weren't just a hotspot for adventurous teens, but also served as a sanctuary for families during the Blitz. The entire network of caves was plunged into darkness at 10pm each night.

But if you're curious about how children managed their fear, bear in mind that sleep was as precious as any other commodity in London during the Blitz.

Securing a spot in the Chislehurst Caves would have meant guaranteed safety overnight. You'd be protected from the 30,000 tonnes of explosives that fell on Britain over eight months, finally allowing you to sleep peacefully after endless nights of fear and uncertainty, wondering if a bomb was about to pierce your roof.

Tickets for the Chislehurst Caves can be bought at the entrance, but due to limited group sizes, it's advised to book ahead online. Tickets are priced at £8 each, with discounts for children and seniors at £6, and under 3s at just 1p.