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Reigate would appear to be a most unusual place to find a series of caves, as it
is situated on white sandstone.
However, these caves were part of the castle defences.
It is reputed that they got the name from the time when the barons met there in
conference, prior to the signing of Magna Carta at Runnymede.
There are two entrances, one in what used to be the castle keep, but this has
been securely fenced over, and the other at the bottom of the hill, which is
where the visitor enters.
A passage connects the two entrances, with one cul-de-sac leading off.
In parts the passages are 3 meters high, with an arched roof.
The walls contain many inscriptions, some going back to the eighteenth century.
Local legend has it that there is an underground passage from the castle to the
Priory, and to Bletchingley Castle, and indeed they probably were used as a
secret tunnel from the castle.
Any part which these caves played in Reigate's history has unfortunately been
lost in the mists of time.
Text from:
Tony and Anne Oldham (1972):
Discovering Caves - A guide to the Show Caves of Britain.
With kind permission by Tony Oldham.
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Location by UK Streetmap
