Margate Caves

The Margate Caves lie beneath the streets of Margate, a seaside town on the Kent coast. They began as chalk mines in the 19th century before being turned into a tourist attraction in 1863. The caves opened under the name The Vortigern Caves, with brightly coloured murals of soldiers and pirates on the walls. Victorian visitors walked through the tunnels to escape the weather and admire the art. The attraction remained popular well into the 20th century, drawing crowds each summer. After closing in 2004, the caves were saved by a local campaign that started in 2011. A decade later, in 2019, they reopened with a new entrance building. The building houses a café, a small shop and an exhibition space that tells the story of the caves. Visitors can still see the original tunnels and the faded murals from the 19th century. The caves sit near the Shell Grotto, another underground site in Margate. A short walk from the seafront brings you to the entrance. Inside, the cool air and soft lighting make the murals stand out. The exhibition space explains how the caves were dug and later decorated. Outside, the café offers a place to rest after exploring the tunnels.