Dick Turpin's Cave


Dick Turpin's Cave

The likeliest site for Highwayman Dick Turpin's Hideout.

Location: Wellington Hill, High Beech, Epping Forest

Description: Turpin's Cave is attributed as an area of Epping Forest north of Loughton that's purported to be a hiding place of highwayman Dick Turpin. Localboy Turpin knew Epping Forest well and apparently organised many criminal activities from a base between the Loughton Road and Kings Oak Road.

After an incident in May 1737, Turpin is reputed to have escaped to Epping Forest, where he hid according to accounts in a cave.

He was seen by Thomas Morris, a servant of one of the Forest's keepers close to what is now The Robin Hood pub. Morris armed with pistols, attempted to capture Turpin on 4 May; Turpin however shot and killed him with a carbine. The murder was reported in The Gentleman's Magazine.

The terrain in most of Epping Forest comprises Bagshot Beds, which are sand and gravel and not solid enough to provide habitable caves such as those depicted by legend.

This site is not the only cave associated with Turpin. There is also a Turpin's Cave at the edge of Bostall Woods in Plumstead and one near Rammamere Heath at Aylesbury.

The legend lingers on!

Themes: SubterraneanSubterranean Theme  CrimeCrime Theme
Dick Turpin's Cave

The likeliest site for Highwayman Dick Turpin's Hideout.

Ranking This Month: 57/3062

Pages Hit This Month: 138


Your Comments:

Name:
Email:
Your email will ONLY be used once, to confirm the publication of your comments. We value your contribution and privacy.

Anti-spam Security: Please enter this code:


Other places nearby:


Jack Cade's Cavern», 13.km

Clapham North's Bomb Bunker», 15.km

Wapping Pier Head», 11.km

TV on the South Bank», 12.km

Kingsway Tunnels - 110 feet down», 12.km

Hornsey Wood Reservoir», 8.8km

The Crystal Palace Subway», 17.km

Albion Disaster Memorial», 9.5km

Dick Turpin's Cave», 0km

Wapping Old Stairs», 12.km

Location Pinpointed:


Open Street Maps», Google Maps»