Evening Tours of the Caves
Availability – Evening tours can be arranged and the caves can open from 5.30pm onwards, opening and tour times for evening tours can be discussed and agreed with the caves manager.
Charge – Cost is £14 per person and a minimum charge of £420 will apply to groups of fewer than 30 people. A £60 deposit is payable upon booking and final payment is due on arrival.
Please note that our evening tours are strictly for private groups of up to 50 people and that no tickets should be sold to the general public, failure to observe this rule will result in the tour being cancelled without notice or refund.
Pre-booking Required – Evening visits need to be pre-booked by telephone and the deposit is payable upon booking. We request at minimum of two weeks’ notice.
Refreshments – Refreshments can be provided to follow your tour, from different hot or cold buffet options to a three-course meal in the function room. A selection of menu options are available and the Caves catering manager is happy to discuss any refreshment requests and the different menu options available and the costs per person. Catering is subject to availability and a minimum of 20 guests. The Cave café contact number is 020 8467 3264.
CLICK HERE – for menu options.
*Menus are a guide and can be subject to change.
Preparing for the Visit – Please contact the Caves by telephone 020 8467 3264 between Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm if you have any questions in relation to arranging a group evening tour.
Daytime Group Tours of the Caves
Availability – Group tours can be arranged for up to 40 people to have a tour of the caves at fifteen minutes past the hour, the earliest at 10.15am and the latest at 3.15pm.
Charge – Groups can have their own private 45-50minute tour for a minimum charge of £120 (based on 15 people) and then at a rate of £8 per additional adult and £6 per additional senior or child. If all members of a group are senior’s then there is a minimum charge of £90 (based on 15 people) and then £6 per additional senior.
Pre-booking – Pre-booking is recommended for group tours in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment. Should you choose not to pre-book, we will still do our best to accommodate you.
Refreshments – The Caves café is open during the day for refreshments after your tour, or you can prearrange refreshments to follow your tour, from tea and cake in a reserved area of the café, to a hot or cold buffet option or a three course meal in the function room. The caves catering manager is happy to discuss any refreshment requests, the different options available, the costs per person and the minimum number of people. The Caves café contact number is 020 8467 3264.
CLICK HERE – for menu options.
*Please note that menus can be subject to change.
Preparing for the Visit – Please contact the caves by telephone 020 8467 3264 between Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm if you have any questions in relation to arranging a group tour.
Children School Trip Group Tours
The Caves are ideal for school visits and the weather is no problem underground.
Duration – The tour lasts for around 45-50 minutes.
Topics covered by a Tour – The tours cover many aspects of the Curriculum from simple Light & Dark, Rocks & Soils, Stone Age, Roman, Saxon right up to the Second World War, when the caves became one of the largest air raid shelters in the country. If we have requests in advance, we will do our best to tailor the tour to suit your subject.
Preparing for the Visit – We are happy to liaise with your Educational visit Coordinator and the cave manager, Jason, can be contacted by telephone 020 8467 3264 between Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm or by email enquiries@chislehurstcaves.co.uk to discuss school visit arrangements.
Should you wish to pre-visit before booking, please come along and join one of our public tours, which leave on the hour. Please ask for a receipt when buying your ticket as we will be happy to refund the cost of two tickets should you decide to bring your school along for a visit.
Charge – School/Children’s groups are charged at £5.50 per child (under 16) and we offer one free adult place for every six children, additional adults are charged £8 each, the minimum charge for a group of fewer than 15 children is £82.50.
Pre-booking Required – Visits should be pre-booked by telephone at least one week in advance and then confirmed in writing. Invoices can be provided on request and payment is due on arrival, school cheques are accepted and should be made payable to Kent Mushrooms Ltd.
Safety on the tour – School children will find the Caves a very exciting place to visit, however the tours should not be considered to be an adventurous activity. When treated sensibly the caves are perfectly safe.
Young people brought to the Caves must be supervised at all times and remain under the care of the adults that accompany the group at all times.
A tour guide will lead and accompany school groups to educate and entertain, but are not responsible for the supervision of the children.
Most of the Caves are unlit, and all of our tours are conducted by lamplight, the hurricane lanterns used for this purpose are very atmospheric and perfectly safe provided they are handled with care. As the lamps cannot be given to children adults accompanying school groups will be asked to carry the lanterns.
Although most of our staff have some first-aid training, we do recommend you bring your own first-aiders as they will have personal knowledge of the group.
Risk Assessment – CLICK HERE to view online Risk Assessment document.
Time Slots – School groups enter the Caves at fifteen minutes past the hour, please aim to be here on the hour, so that your group is ready to go in on time. School groups can gather in the waiting area by the ticket office before the start of the tour. An arrival time and time slot can be agreed when making the school group booking.
Refreshments – If children will be bringing packed lunches on the school trip there are picnic benches outside, some of which are under cover. In the circumstances of inclement weather there is a function room that maybe available to use, the group leader should speak to the Caves manager. Packed lunches cannot be eaten in the Caves restaurant.
Parking – There is free on-site parking for coaches.