Kents Cavern in Torquay, Devon, offers visitors a unique glimpse into Britain’s prehistoric past. This 400-million-year-old cave system features stunning rock formations and ancient archaeological finds that transport guests back in time. Guided tours provide insights into the site’s geological and human history, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the rich natural and cultural heritage of the region. With its constant temperature and family-friendly activities, Kents Cavern promises an engaging and comfortable experience for all. Uncover the secrets of this remarkable prehistoric cave and discover why it’s a true gem of the English countryside.
Key Points
- Kents Cavern is a prehistoric cave located in Torquay, offering a guided tour to explore ancient rock formations and learn about its geological history.
- The 1-hour guided tour is priced at $21.94 per person and provides access to the Stone Age Zone, Firestone Kitchen café, and other facilities.
- The cave maintains a constant temperature of 14°C and is mostly flat with some shallow steps, making it accessible for most visitors.
- Visitors can enjoy activities like gemstone digging for kids and strolling along the Woodland Trail during their visit.
- The tour has received a high customer rating of 4.9/5, with positive feedback on the knowledgeable guides and the overall engaging exploration of the cave’s rich history.
Overview and Pricing
Kents Cavern is located in Torquay and offers an immersive prehistoric experience. Visitors can explore this 400-million-year-old cave system for $21.94 per person.
The tour lasts an hour, and guests can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Booking is flexible, as there’s an option to reserve a spot and pay later.
Kents Cavern provides a unique opportunity to learn about the Ice Age and view ancient stalagmites and stalactites.
With free cancellation and a pay-later option, it’s an accessible and hassle-free adventure for travelers in Torquay.
Looking for more options in Torquay? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.
Experience Highlights
Visitors embark on a captivating journey through a labyrinth of ancient caves dating back over 400 million years.
At Kents Cavern, they’ll discover spectacular stalagmites and stalactites, while learning about the Ice Age and prehistoric history from expert guides.
The Stone Age Zone showcases the earliest tools found in Britain, and kids can enjoy gemstone digging.
Visitors can also stroll the Woodland Trail, which features sculptures of Ice Age animals.
With a constant temperature of 14°C, the guided tours provide an immersive experience into the cave’s formation and Victorian excavations.
Guided Tour Details
All tours at Kents Cavern are guided, beginning in the Vestibule Chamber.
Visitors can expect a constant temperature of 14°C inside the cave. Knowledgeable guides explain the cave’s formation over 2.5 million years and the Victorian excavations that uncovered prehistoric remains.
Guests have access to the site’s facilities, including the Firestone Kitchen café where they can purchase food and beverages.
The guided tours provide an informative and engaging exploration of this ancient labyrinth, allowing visitors to enjoy the rich history and geological wonders of Kents Cavern.
Accessibility and Amenities
Although Kents Cavern features mostly flat concrete surfaces, there are 9 shallow steps throughout the site.
Kents Cavern features mostly flat concrete surfaces, but includes 9 shallow steps throughout the site.
The cave isn’t suitable for individuals with claustrophobia or wheelchair users, as access is limited past the first chamber. However, standard pushchairs can navigate the cave footpath, though double and all-terrain pushchairs are too wide.
Visitors can also bring their assistance dogs, as long as they remain under their owner’s control.
The site offers facilities like the Firestone Kitchen café, providing food and beverages for guests to enjoy during their prehistoric exploration.
More Great Tours NearbyVisitor Information
The meeting point for Kents Cavern tours is the ticket desk, where visitors can pick up their tour passes.
Guests are advised to wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing, as the constant temperature inside the cave is 14°C. A camera is recommended to capture the stunning rock formations.
The popular attraction has an impressive 4.9/5 rating based on customer reviews, with visitors describing the experience as "absolutely amazing" and "well worth a visit".
Standard pushchairs can navigate the cave footpath, but double and all-terrain models may have limited access past the first chamber.
Prehistoric Wonders of Kents Cavern
Nestled within Torquay’s picturesque landscape, Kents Cavern beckons adventurers to uncover the remarkable prehistoric wonders that lie within its ancient chambers.
Descending into the cave, visitors are awestruck by the:
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Captivating rock formations, including towering stalagmites and delicate stalactites that have developed over millions of years.
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Echoes of the Ice Age, as they discover the fossilized remains of animals that once roamed the region.
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Glimpses into Britain’s earliest human history, with the exposure of ancient stone tools and artifacts from the Stone Age.
This underground labyrinth offers a mesmerizing journey through time, transporting guests to a bygone era.
Exploring the Cavern’s Geological History
As visitors descend into the cavern, they’ll be captivated by the remarkable geological history etched into the cave’s ancient walls. Kents Cavern boasts a diverse array of geological formations, from towering stalagmites to intricate stalactites, each revealing the cave’s evolution over millions of years. To better understand this geological timeline, consider the following table:
| Geological Feature | Age (in millions of years) |
|——————–|—————————|
| Oldest Rocks | 400 |
| Stalagmites | 2.5 |
| Stalactites | 2.5 |
| Ice Age Deposits | 1 |
| Prehistoric Tools | 0.043 |
The guided tour delves into the captivating story of Kents Cavern, allowing visitors to appreciate the true wonders of this prehistoric gem.
Discovering Britain’s Earliest Archaeological Finds
Within the expansive chambers of Kents Cavern, visitors can uncover Britain’s earliest archaeological treasures.
The Stone Age Zone showcases an unparalleled collection of prehistoric tools and artifacts, including:
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Stone axes and handaxes dating back over 400,000 years
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Butchered animal bones that reveal the diets of early humans
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Primitive stone blades used for hunting and hide processing
These remarkable finds offer a glimpse into the lives of our Paleolithic ancestors, highlighting the rich archaeological significance of Kents Cavern as a window into the distant past.
The Sum Up
Kents Cavern offers an unparalleled journey through ancient geological formations and prehistoric history. With knowledgeable guides, visitors can marvel at the stunning cave features and learn about the fascinating Ice Age past. Whether exploring the cavern or the surrounding trails, this natural wonder provides a comfortable and captivating experience for the whole family to enjoy.
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