Τα 8 καλύτερα σπήλαια Κεντ

Όταν η μετέπειτα βασίλισσα Βικτώρια επισκέφθηκε το Broadstairs, ο Snelling ήταν τόσο διαβόητος που της παρουσιάστηκε ως «Ο διάσημος λαθρέμπορος»! Η είσοδος στο σπήλαιο είναι εύκολα προσβάσιμη στην πίσω καμπύλη του βραχώδους τοίχου και ανεβαίνει ελαφρώς ανηφορικά. Υπάρχουν συνολικά 3 μικρότερες σπηλιές, οι οποίες είναι διατεταγμένες σαν ένα κολιέ από μαργαριτάρια. Κάποτε υπήρχε μια άνω έξοδος που πλέον δεν υπάρχει. Η διαδρομή προς τα εκεί είναι ταυτόχρονα και η διαδρομή της επιστροφής. Μεταξύ των επιμέρους σπηλιών υπάρχουν χαμηλά περάσματα. Αν δεν σας πειράζει λίγη σκόνη και ασβέστης, είναι διασκεδαστικό να πάτε σε μια αποστολή ανακάλυψης.

A Notorious Smuggler's Favorite Spot Due to its proximity to mainland Europe and its remote, cave-riddled bays, smuggling was a livelihood and a vital economic activity for many people along the Kent coast throughout much of the 18th and 19th centuries. Thanet's smugglers openly carried weapons, defied the authorities, and forced locals to supply them with fodder and fresh horses. During the Battle of Botany Bay, informed tax collectors clashed with the notorious smuggler Joss Snelling and his gang. Machetes, knives, and boat hooks were used in the bloody battle, in which Snelling lost 15 of his men. The danger (or the contraband) must have suited Snelling well. He reached the ripe old age of 96 and in 1830 – at the age of 89 – was fined 100 pounds for smuggling – an enormous sum!

There are more questions than answers… The underground Shell Grotto, discovered by chance in 1835, captivates visitors with its curved chalk walls covered in 4.6 million shells. They form a magical mosaic of strange patterns and symbols. Was this a place of worship, a site of secret meetings, or an extravagant gimmick? We don't know who built this amazing place or why, but ever since the first paying visitors descended the chalk staircase in 1838, the grotto's origins have been hotly debated. https://www.shellgrotto.co.uk/visit

Photography was prohibited at the beginning of the tour, but allowed at the end.

Unfortunately, photography is not allowed. The tour is interesting and definitely worth taking 😉

Kingsgate Bay was originally called St. Bartholomew's Gate until King Charles II landed here in 1683 with his brother, the Duke of York, and ordered the renaming. Kingsgate Castle, built in 1763, stands majestically above the beach. Kingsgate Bay is home to some of the most beautiful sea caves in Thanet and is approximately 150 meters wide. The sandy bay offers peace and seclusion and is accessible via a steep staircase. At high tide, the sand is exposed, but the beach is cut off from the sea at both ends. https://www.visitthanet.co.uk/plan-your-visit/weather-and-tide-times/

Guided tours by volunteers at the National Trust through these WWII tunnels/bunker. 125 steps down, approx 90 minute tour, only £6. Very factual, learn about the troops who used it, the reason it’s there, and how it was built.

£6 for an hour’s tour by the National Trust. Well worth it! Go 125 steps underground and tour the tunnels from WWII