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Caves, Mines & Underground in London

London does not have many actual caves, but what is here is varied. St. Paul's Cathedral is close to the centre and lets you climb 528 steps up the Dome for the view, then head down into the Crypt, with entry from £3. Out at Chislehurst, a drive from the centre, Chislehurst Caves runs lamp-lit guided walks through man-made tunnels with a guide telling ghost stories, entry from £8, suited to ages 3 to 15 rather than very small toddlers. For a self-guided option, Pope's Grotto in Twickenham is a quirky underground spot you explore with a printed plan, though it only opens a handful of days a year, so plan ahead. Chislehurst has free parking, a cafe and buggy-friendly baby change if you are driving over with the family. AIRE Ancient Baths in London is 18+ only, an adults-only thermal baths experience for a date night rather than a day out with children.

10 places 1 free to visit

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Two people bathing in a thermal pool within a stone-vaulted medieval chamber lit by candlelight.

AIRE Ancient Baths London

London · adults only (18+)

An adults-only thermal baths experience in London, so this one is for date night, not the kids.

Booking requiredLockers

Bike Shed Moto Co.

London

A big motorbike hangout in London with galleries of bikes and art, a shop to browse and a 160-seat restaurant to sit down in.

Bike parkingGift shopFood on siteRestaurant

from £8

Chislehurst Caves

Chislehurst · ages 3-15

A lamp-lit guided walk through man-made tunnels, with a guide spinning spooky stories along the way.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBirthday partiesCafé+6 more

Hard Rock Cafe

London

A burger and memorabilia stop where kids wander a free rock and roll museum before the food even arrives.

Allergy awareGift shopFood on siteRestaurant+1 more

from £20

Knockout Escape Rooms

Reading · ages 10+

Three themed puzzle rooms in Reading, an hour on the clock to crack codes and get evidence, a scientist or a sci-fi machine sorted before time runs out.

Booking requiredGroup bookings

Large stone lion statue on a pedestal surrounded by visitors in early twentieth-century dress, with buildings and trees in background.

Free

Maiwand Lion

Reading

Free galleries of Roman finds, a Bayeux Tapestry copy and biscuit tins to hunt through, right by Reading station.

Accessible toiletCaféGift shopGroup bookings+4 more

Pope's Grotto

Twickenham

A quirky underground grotto you explore yourself with a printed plan, open just a handful of days a year.

Booking required

from £3

St. Paul's Cathedral

London

Climb 528 steps to the top of the Dome for a proper view over London, then explore the Crypt and a family history trail below.

Bike parkingBlue badge parkingPublic transport nearbyWheelchair accessible

from £8

The Hellfire Caves

High Wycombe

A guided walk through real tunnels and chambers cut into the Chiltern hills, with an underground river and a banqueting hall to gawp at.

Birthday partiesCaféGift shopIndoor play+1 more

Busy outdoor street scene with crowds of people gathered outside a pub, some seated on stools with drinks, trees overhead, bicycles parked nearby.

Well & Bucket

London

A Sunday roast pub with party rooms tucked away, open late most days if lunch turns into an afternoon.

Indoor seatingParty roomsRestaurant

Good to know: caves, mines & underground in London

Are any of them free?

Yes, Maiwand Lion is free to visit.

What does a paid visit cost?

Paid entry starts from £3 at St. Paul's Cathedral. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.

Whereabouts are they?

You'll find caves, mines & underground in London, Chislehurst, Reading, Twickenham and High Wycombe. Every place we list is in or around London, and each listing has the full address and directions.