Caving into History: Stories Beneath Nottingham Castle
- Kaitlen Elaine
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
Nottingham offers a unique blend of historical charm, from the legendary tales of Robin Hood to the rich lace-making industry that transitioned into an international export market.
If you are visiting Nottingham, I suggest taking a glimpse into the intriguing underground world that many travellers overlook—its extensive network of caves with a story of their own.
The Caves of Nottingham Castle
Nottingham is known as the ‘City of Caves,’ which emphasises a vibrant history intertwined with its extensive network of man-made caves. These caves, which are carved into what is known as the ‘goldilocks’ of sandstone—not too soft and not too hard—beneath the city, have served various purposes throughout the centuries, from storage and living spaces to dungeons and air raid shelters during World War II. The caves are a significant part of Nottingham’s heritage, reflecting the city’s evolution over time.
Historical Significance
Nottingham’s caves can be traced back to at least the medieval period. While many of the existing caves were created between 1600 and 1900 due to urban expansion, archaeological findings have suggested that some date back as far as the 13th century. Many of the caves underneath the city have yet to be found, meaning that the history could potentially date back much further.
While a lot of historical events have passed through the gates of Nottingham Castle, this history has also wandered through the caves beneath. In 1330, Edward III and his supporters used the caves, now known as Mortimer’s Hole, to capture his mother, Isabella of France, and her lover, Sir Roger Mortimer, to avenge Edward II’s death and reclaim his rightful throne. However, for the common people in Nottingham, the caves were simply a place to call home and go about their daily lives. Many of the caves were utilised for industrial purposes as well, such as breweries, as underground conditions provided great temperatures for refrigerating and creating liveable and 'free' homes.
Nottingham's Caves During WWII
During World War II, many existing caves were repurposed as air raid shelters. By February 1941, there were approximately 86 of the caves being used as public shelters. Although there were plans to create enough shelters for all citizens of Nottingham, only some new entrances were cut into existing cave systems. According to Paul Baker with the BBC, the sandstone excavated while cutting into the caves was a useful source of sand for sandbags during the war.
While Nottingham Castle's cave tours don't delve into the importance of the cave networks during WWII, this history plays an important part in Nottingham's history and today's cave structures, so it's impossible to overlook.
Exploring Nottingham’s Caves Today
Today, visitors can explore the stories beneath Nottingham Castle, and across Nottingham City, through guided tours offered on the Nottingham Castle grounds and within the city.
These tours provide an immersive experience of the city's cave history:
Nottingham Castle Cave Tours:
Daily guided tours take visitors through Mortimer’s Hole and other notable areas around and beneath the castle. These tours last approximately 45 minutes and involve navigating steep steps down until reaching Brewhouse Yard. Museum visitors learn about the historical events tied to specific locations within the cave system while experiencing firsthand what life was like underground.
Brewhouse Yard Museum:
Located at the bottom of Nottingham Castle and the caste cave system, Brewhouse Yard features cottages that incorporate cave structures used by many residents in Nottingham. Visitors can explore how these spaces were historically utilised for domestic life and industry, such as lace making, which can be further understood and viewed in the Lace Gallery within Nottingham Castle.
Nottingham Castle’s cave system offers an unforgettable glimpse into local history and historical architectural ingenuity. From medieval origins to their modern-day use as tourist attractions, these caves encapsulate stories that span centuries. For anyone visiting Nottingham Castle, joining in on a cave tour is a great way to connect with the city’s heritage and a commonly overlooked underground world.
To learn more about Nottingham Castle and how to book a cave tour, visit the website here.
Interested in learning more about Nottingham Castle? Come along with me!
References
Baker, P. (2025). Going Underground: City of Caves. [online] BBC. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/heritage/england/nottingham/article_5.shtml [Accessed 7 Apr. 2025].
Department of Classics and Archaeology (2022). City of Caves: The University of Nottingham. [online] University of Nottingham. Available at: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/humanities/departments/classics-and-archaeology/research/research-projects/current-projects/city-of-caves/2024-2022-city-caves-king.aspx [Accessed 7 Apr. 2025].
Manuscripts and Special Collections, University of Nottingham (2025). Beneath Our Feet: the Story of Nottingham’s Caves. [online] European Heritage Days. Available at: https://www.europeanheritagedays.com/Story/Beneath-Our-Feet-the-story-of-Nottinghams-caves
Loved seeing you in the video. Plans for next year?
Loved your blog. It is on my bucket list to make it to Nottingham; I will definitely go through the castle and tour the caves. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent writing, as always!
Very interesting story. I will admit the castle is amazing and full of history. I wish on my first visit I would have been able to do the caves, I will do them on my next visit. Thank you for sharing.
Great blog!