The Caves - Who lived in them?

[tedscout]

This is purely for interest sake.

One of my favorite parts of a trip back to England 2 1/2 years ago (from Australia) was visiting the caves in Nottingham.

Since then I have followed the survey of the caves and read all about the history of them.

This has led me to believe the people who lived in them must have been on the census, and I wonder if any of you wonderful Nottingham experts can tell me where I can find if this is true.

Cheers From Ted - the Aussie

[larkspur]

My husbands great great grandparents lived in The Hermitage, Sneinton.They are on the census under this address.

[Ruskie]

Ted, many many many thanks for this post! I thought I knew a reasonable amount about the UK but am amazed and ashamed that I have never heard of these caves. I've just been googling and am hooked. I've just got to go and see them! 

[weste]

I went to the caves a couple of years ago and took quite a few photos.  I may go on one of the frightnights in the salutation inn as there's caves under there. I also been in the galleries of justice on a frightnight. I thought the caves was brill witheir history and the war time uses.  The weird thing was the entrance via the shopping centre. My brother did some work in the shopping centre .  He kicked himself when he realised he had n't noticed that he could have visited whilst he was there! We also went to the castle to have a look round. This one city break i enjoyed.

[weste]

Ruskie do go!  I went to nottingham previously but did n't get much out of. We went ater the robin hood series and decided to go to nottingham as there was a frightnight and also that  we could visit the castle, i did n't know about the caves until i got there.  It was interesting about the history of leather as i come from a town which had a strong leather industry, mom used to do outwork.  They had an interesting use for one of our body wastes!

[copperbeech5]

Yes, great post Ted, have you seen this site?

http://nottinghamcavessurvey.org.uk/

Best wishes,
Copperbeech5

[GFHWP]

The records of the Borough of Nottingham contain several references to properties rented out to 'cave dwellers'
 The following is an extract from the 1809 records, showing tennant, property and annual rent in part of the Chambers Estate. (Note 5s =five shillings -pre decimal coinage)

William Bradley   A rock hole in York St      5s
Joseph Hallam   A house in the rock in York St   5s
Thomas Porter   A rock hole in York St      5s
Joseph Rawson   A rock hole in York St      5s
John Abbot &
Michael McLoghland   A rock hole on the Long Stairs    8s
Thomas Wood   A rock hole on Gilliflower Hill,
         he agreeing to pay all arrears of rent
         now due from the time of his first
         occupation thereof              £1
William Oakland   A rock hole in St Michaels Row   5s
Robert Hutchinson   A rock hole in Mansfield Road   15s

Perhaps it was a better class of hole in Mansfield Road

[jaywit]

'Perhaps it was a better class of hole in Mansfield Road' 

Well caves were lived in in Mansfield as well, they were known as the Rock Houses, and what's left of them is still there, the road is called...... Rock Hill.

If you google 'Rock Houses Mansfield' you will see images of them, and I go past  them every time I go into town.

[tedscout]

Wow this is fascinating thank you. GFHWP. I will have to google and find out where they are.

Fancy having to live in a "rock hole"