Home

Themes | Tours | By Area
Map | New | Hot

Latest News
Comments
On This Day in London
Can You Help?
Email Newsletter

Sign Up/Register
Forgot Password?
Contribute a Location

About Us
Friends
Contact Us

RSS Feeds

IN THE NEWS

BBC Media Village and White City 

I NEED A...

• London Xmas Shop
• London Betting
• London Bookshop
• London Car Hire
• London Car Parking
• London Shopping
• London Dating
• London Flats to Rent
• Flights to London
• London Flower Delivery
• London Hotel
• London Music
• London Finance
• London Restaurant
• London Theatre

Number of Locations:

LATEST TOURS

TOP TOURS

TOP TOUR GUIDES

    1. Ade  
    2. Jez  
    3. Dave Evans  
    4. Brian  
    5. James Robertson  

LONDON THEMES

Jack Cade's Cavern

The location of the last known entrance to Jack Cade's Caverns.

Location: 77 Maidenstone Hill, Greenwich, London

Description: There are cavern's underneath this area, very old and very colourful caverns. They were created by chalk quarriors, or limeburners who in the 17th century dug out enormous quantities of the chalk. So much so that one William Steers, in 1677, was fined the large amount of 40 for undermining the Kings Highway (Blackheath Hill) and causing wagons to overturn.

In 1780, a builder uncovered the vertical entrance, and realising he had stumbled on a goldmine (almost) he built a cottage at the entrance and cut 40 steps into the side of the cave. He then charged sixpence for admission and the caverns soon became a fashionable curiosity.

However, business came to an abrupt halt after a 19-year-old girl, Lucy Talbot, was overcome by noxious fumes in the well chamber and was carried fainting into the open air where she died shortly afterwards.

Because of this sad event a ventilation shaft was cut by the proprietor and a pair of bellows installed which circulated fresh air.

Things picked up again, a chandelier was hung from the roof, a bar was built in the largest cavern and it was used for drinking parties. There were lurid stories of unclothed lady dancers and, human nature being what it is, these gatherings rapidly got out of hand. Outraged authorities filled in the entrance in 1854.

They were opened up again from the garden of this house in 1938 by sinking a shaft, with the thought of locating a massive air raid shelter. It didnt happen in the end.

Now in April 2002, the appearance of a mysterious crater in a carriageway in Blackheath Hill caused traffic chaos. It's thought this was caused partially by the original cavern system. See photo below.

• Location
• Comments
• More

Themes: Subterranean
Submitted by: Ade 
Ranking This Month: 490/2532
Pages Hit This Month: 163
Link to This Page: http://www.shadyoldlady.com/location.php?loc=757
Credits: The Mercury

Jack Cade's Cavern The location of the last known entrance to Jack Cade's Caverns.

The Shady Old Lady points out that you can drag this map using mouse. Or visit our full massive map.

1» Rumour has it the Hellfire Club used to meet down there, and even created some lurid murals to decorate the cavern. Is that true? (Henry P Loveart)

Posted by Henry P Loveart on 2007-06-25

Got something to add? Write it 'ere:

Name:     Email:
Your email will ONLY be used once, to confirm the publication of your comments. We value your contribution and privacy.
<Put your comments here>
Anti-spam Security: Please enter this code: