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All the United Kingdom England Margate Margate Caves

Margate Caves

This forgotten chalk mine was reopened thanks to a massive effort from the local community.

Margate, England

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View of the caves.   Frank Leppard Photography
  userofnames / Atlas Obscura User
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The elephant.   CaveBoss / Atlas Obscura User
Margate Caves   CaveBoss / Atlas Obscura User
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The tunnel into the Caves.   Frank Leppard
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About

The Margate Caves is a subterranean wonderland located underneath an unassuming street in Margate. The caves are actually a forgotten chalk mine that was rediscovered during the 18th-century. 

The caves first opened to the public during the Victorian era as a "Smugglers Cave," and were important to Margate's burgeoning tourism industry. The caves changed ownership several times until they were eventually closed in 2005 due to instability. In 2011, the owner of the cave destroyed the entrance. 

Not long after the entrance was closed, members of the community formed the organization, Friends of Margate Caves. The group, along with The Margate Caves Community Education Trust, worked together to raise funds to save the caves. They were eventually reopened to the public. 

In 2019, the caves finally reopened to the public. Inside, visitors can explore around 200 years of history and marvel at the bizarre menagerie of paintings. The artwork dates between the early 1800s, to the most modern being painted around the 1980s. 

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Caves Subterranean History & Culture Ecosystems

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Amazing cafe- make time to have some cake! It's on the Northdown road just up from the old town, nearest parking Trinity Square Car Park. 

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October 20, 2020

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Margate Caves
Northdown Rd
Margate, England, CT9 1QH
United Kingdom
51.390056, 1.386594
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Nearby Places

Margate Shell Grotto

Margate, England

miles away

Crab Museum

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'The Shell Lady of Margate'

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Margate

Margate

England

Places 4

Nearby Places

Margate Shell Grotto

Margate, England

miles away

Crab Museum

Margate, England

miles away

'The Shell Lady of Margate'

Margate, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Margate

Margate

England

Places 4

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