Nottingham is a city known for its network of sandstone caves. Whilst there are hundreds that stretch out beneath its inhabitant's feet, with many accessible to the public, they are not the only close-by caves ready to be discovered.
Within the county's borders and not too far beyond lie a number of other popular cave sites. Some come at a cost while some remain open and free to explore. The one thing they all have in common is an interesting history and a reason to put on those boots.
Here are some that are either in Nottinghamshire or less than an hour's drive away from the county:
Creswell Crags
Situated near Worksop, close to the Derbyshire border, Creswell is home to caves that are tens of thousands of years old. Visitors can explore the caverns, dotted across the limestone gorge, including the biggest of the lot - Robin Hood Cave.
Stone tools and remains of animals were found in the depths of the caves by archaeologists that date back to the Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. This makes the Ice Age Tours all the more tempting.
Another interesting part of its history is its witch marks, believed to have turned away evil - it is thought to be the largest collection in the UK. Visiting the site is free to the public, however, tours obviously come at a cost.
Thor's Cave
A giant opening atop the Manifold Valley of the White Peak in Staffordshire, Thor's Cave is the most difficult to reach of the four. However, the view from its mouth is worth the journey down the winding country roads.
Situated at 260 feet above sea level and with a mouth 10 metres high, the natural cave has become a popular spot for tourists. It is entirely free to explore, visitors must first make the near one hour drive from the most west of Nottinghamshire.
City of Caves
You cannot make a list of caves without mentioning those that lie beneath our feet. Nottingham's City of Caves consists of man-made caverns that date back thousands of years.
Through the ages they have been used as a tannery, public house cellars, and as an air raid shelter. They can now be accessed from Garner's Hill and are part of the National Justice Museum. Prices stand at £7.95 for adult admission, with concessions getting in for a pound lower and under fives are free.
Peak Cavern (aka the Devil's Arse)
Peak Cavern, historically known as the Devil's Arse, can be found in Castleton, Derbyshire, and is within an hour's drive of Mansfield. Its common name was described as far back as 1586 in William Camden's Britannia, which reads: "The Devils Arse, that gapeth with a wide mouth and hath in it many turnings and retyring roomes."
The cavern is entirely natural and is the largest in the Peak District and has the largest entrance in Britain. Entry must be paid for by members of the public, with adult admission costing £16.
