Maidstone Trooper
January 13th, 2007, 22:56
So Delver, The Chin and myself started 2007 off with a big underground trip. This was a completely organised trip and can only be done with a guide, and someone who knows what they are doing, being that there is some pretty hardcore caving, and navigation to be done down there. Big thanks to Andy who i beleive may be a member of this site, and i know has shown other 28DL members sites before.
The Bedlam Mines have 10 miles of passage, and were created by the stone miners over many many years, and ending in the 17th Century. Much of the stone mined here was used to rebuild London following the Great Fire.
Our guide had a fantastic knowledge of the history of the mines which he explained to us as we moved through the vast complex, but i am not going to try and relay this because i will get it incorrect.
This was without a doubt the most amazing underground explore we have ever done, and also the most physically exerting. Full caving get up was definately required, and we spent 4 hours underground, and moved at quite a pace.
This was all necesary so we could acheive our aim of reaching "The Far East". This unsuprisingly is the most easterly section of the mines, and the most unseen part of the mine. In this section the workmanship is emmense, with Dry stone walls laid and carefully cut to form amazing structure, and also some of the famous labarynth graffiti lies here.
Evidence of stone mining, and apparently a royal bodge up here on the miners part.
http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/7045/img2072smallgp9.jpg
A sample of some of the best formations in the South East, found in "Alladins Cave". Much care had to be taken here not to touch or damage the formations, so not to disrupt their growth.
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/6410/img2084smallph4.jpg
Grinding Stone Trough
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/1570/img2108smallgw9.jpg
Skeleton of an unknown, but quite large animal. This is not left by the miners but thought to have wondered in at some point got lost and died. Its hoof trails can be clearly seen in other parts of the mine complex.
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/8984/img2099smallwj8.jpg
The oldest dated graffiti found in the mines at 1609. To look at it is not legible but this was written when very few had the ability to write. It has been deciphered by historians to say something about what will happen if the miners do not complete there work in time (if my memory serves me correctly)
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/5945/img2096smallrv3.jpg
The famous labarynth graffiti found in the "Far East".
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/7817/img2104smallvn5.jpg
Example of the workmanship in the "Far East".
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/2013/img2120smallbb2.jpg
Another of the "Far East".
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/9721/img2122smallcg4.jpg
I know my photos are not fantastic, but this was the last thing on my mind. To travel the 5 miles underground that we did, we had to move quickly with very little stopping time for pics. This trip was fantastic though to see something very few people have seen and very few will probably seen. The entire place is a historical gem and we feel truly privalidged to have been shown it.
Should anyone want to see this site it must be arranged, and we are happy to put you into contact with the right people to do so. This place is incredibly daunting and is an absolute maze, also a good level of fitness is required for this site as my legs are currently telling me. But it was well worth it.
The Bedlam Mines have 10 miles of passage, and were created by the stone miners over many many years, and ending in the 17th Century. Much of the stone mined here was used to rebuild London following the Great Fire.
Our guide had a fantastic knowledge of the history of the mines which he explained to us as we moved through the vast complex, but i am not going to try and relay this because i will get it incorrect.
This was without a doubt the most amazing underground explore we have ever done, and also the most physically exerting. Full caving get up was definately required, and we spent 4 hours underground, and moved at quite a pace.
This was all necesary so we could acheive our aim of reaching "The Far East". This unsuprisingly is the most easterly section of the mines, and the most unseen part of the mine. In this section the workmanship is emmense, with Dry stone walls laid and carefully cut to form amazing structure, and also some of the famous labarynth graffiti lies here.
Evidence of stone mining, and apparently a royal bodge up here on the miners part.
http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/7045/img2072smallgp9.jpg
A sample of some of the best formations in the South East, found in "Alladins Cave". Much care had to be taken here not to touch or damage the formations, so not to disrupt their growth.
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/6410/img2084smallph4.jpg
Grinding Stone Trough
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/1570/img2108smallgw9.jpg
Skeleton of an unknown, but quite large animal. This is not left by the miners but thought to have wondered in at some point got lost and died. Its hoof trails can be clearly seen in other parts of the mine complex.
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/8984/img2099smallwj8.jpg
The oldest dated graffiti found in the mines at 1609. To look at it is not legible but this was written when very few had the ability to write. It has been deciphered by historians to say something about what will happen if the miners do not complete there work in time (if my memory serves me correctly)
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/5945/img2096smallrv3.jpg
The famous labarynth graffiti found in the "Far East".
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/7817/img2104smallvn5.jpg
Example of the workmanship in the "Far East".
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/2013/img2120smallbb2.jpg
Another of the "Far East".
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/9721/img2122smallcg4.jpg
I know my photos are not fantastic, but this was the last thing on my mind. To travel the 5 miles underground that we did, we had to move quickly with very little stopping time for pics. This trip was fantastic though to see something very few people have seen and very few will probably seen. The entire place is a historical gem and we feel truly privalidged to have been shown it.
Should anyone want to see this site it must be arranged, and we are happy to put you into contact with the right people to do so. This place is incredibly daunting and is an absolute maze, also a good level of fitness is required for this site as my legs are currently telling me. But it was well worth it.