History
Also known as Caynton Caves - This mysterious underground man-made cave lays randomly in some fields in the middle of nowhere.
However, the true origin is still largely unknown and various stories surround it:
The most prolific story of the origins relates to the Knights Templar movement - Suspected to have been built between 1119 AD and 1312 AD.
The Catholic military order was founded in the 12th Century to guard pilgrims on their way along the dangerous roads that led to Jerusalem.
Its members were effectively armed monk-like knights who were granted certain legal privileges and whose status was backed by the Church.
They were reputed to be the possessors of great wealth and power.
The other story surrounding this place relates to the Legg Family
who decided to build this place in the late 18th century from a former quarry into a grotto or underground folly.
Other stories relate to a rich landowner who built it for his children's entertainment or Occultists who designed it for black magic and mysterious rituals.
The Explore
Explored with @Session9 - Managed to get this done as we were in the area visiting Ironbridge the same day.
We had known of this place from various news articles released over the years and being unique as it is I was never going to pass on the opportunity to see this.
The first problem we thought we may have is actually finding it - Especially as we were literally looking for a rabbit hole within miles of several large and vast fields.
As we got closer to the location it became more and more obvious where it actually is - I don't want to give too much away at this point.
The caverns comprise an irregular series of Neo-Romanesque ambulatories and chambers hollowed out of sandstone, with carved archways, pillars, symbols and niches, apparently for candles.
I must add - I bought along 60 candles and it still wasn't light enough.
The cave seems to be in 3 sections - One part is clearly a shrine, another is a seating area/lounge and there is also a font shaped object in what I consider a standing area - Hence the higher ceiling.
Although the ceiling is mostly quite low in places, it is deceptively spacious and even quite cosy. Spent all afternoon here in the end.
Pictures
Cheers for looking and reading all,
Luke
Also known as Caynton Caves - This mysterious underground man-made cave lays randomly in some fields in the middle of nowhere.
However, the true origin is still largely unknown and various stories surround it:
The most prolific story of the origins relates to the Knights Templar movement - Suspected to have been built between 1119 AD and 1312 AD.
The Catholic military order was founded in the 12th Century to guard pilgrims on their way along the dangerous roads that led to Jerusalem.
Its members were effectively armed monk-like knights who were granted certain legal privileges and whose status was backed by the Church.
They were reputed to be the possessors of great wealth and power.
The other story surrounding this place relates to the Legg Family
who decided to build this place in the late 18th century from a former quarry into a grotto or underground folly.
Other stories relate to a rich landowner who built it for his children's entertainment or Occultists who designed it for black magic and mysterious rituals.
The Explore
Explored with @Session9 - Managed to get this done as we were in the area visiting Ironbridge the same day.
We had known of this place from various news articles released over the years and being unique as it is I was never going to pass on the opportunity to see this.
The first problem we thought we may have is actually finding it - Especially as we were literally looking for a rabbit hole within miles of several large and vast fields.
As we got closer to the location it became more and more obvious where it actually is - I don't want to give too much away at this point.
The caverns comprise an irregular series of Neo-Romanesque ambulatories and chambers hollowed out of sandstone, with carved archways, pillars, symbols and niches, apparently for candles.
I must add - I bought along 60 candles and it still wasn't light enough.
The cave seems to be in 3 sections - One part is clearly a shrine, another is a seating area/lounge and there is also a font shaped object in what I consider a standing area - Hence the higher ceiling.
Although the ceiling is mostly quite low in places, it is deceptively spacious and even quite cosy. Spent all afternoon here in the end.
Pictures
Cheers for looking and reading all,
Luke
