A network of prehistoric caves dubbed “Britain’s oldest home” has sold for the first time in 120 years – for over $2.5m USD.
Kents Cavern in Torquay, England, was formed over 2.5 million years ago and has been open to the public since the 19th century.
The independent heritage attraction has been owned by the same family for 120 years.
The first use of the caves is thought to have been 100,000 years ago.
Since the discovery of the caves, over 80,000 stone age artifacts have been found including a prehistoric upper jawbone fragment, believed to be the oldest anatomically modern human fossil discovered in Northwestern Europe.
It has now sold for over $2.54 million USD.
The property listing reads: “Kents Cavern is Britain’s oldest home, and a successful and long-established independent heritage attraction, with residential accommodation, in a coastal setting in Torquay, Devon.
“It is the most important prehistoric cave complex in Britain with a long and rich record of ancient human occupation.”
“Britain’s first Stone Age people reached Kents Cavern 500,000 years ago.
“Neanderthals used the caverns around 100,000 years ago and the oldest human remains in North-Western Europe were discovered here.”
The cavern was turned into a tourist attraction in the early 1900s by laying concrete paths, installing electric lighting, and building visitor facilities.
The main activity is a guided cave tour which operates every day of the year regardless of the weather.
The 2-acre site even hosts weddings, film screenings, musical entertainment, and performance art and has a license to sell alcohol.
Kents Cavern also operates a fully refurbished three-bed holiday cottage, a retail shop and a 100-seat restaurant.
The caves have been owned by the same family since 1903 when the current owner’s great-grandfather acquired the site.
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
