The Caves - Who lived in them?

[groom]

Looking at this site  http://www.cityofcaves.com/index.asp?getpage=true&sid=41  it seems as if the only cenus they might be on would be the 1841  "Many were inhabited until 1845, when the St. Mary’s Enclosure Act banned the rental of cellars and caves as homes for the poor, though the practice continued underground! "

[millymcb]

This is so fascinating...I have never heard of these caves.  Not that I am from Nottingham of course.

But what is so interesting is that we have a similar thing in Stockport (Cheshire) which has aso been turned into a visitor attraction showing how they were used as air raid shelters in the war.  We always knew the stories of them so it was great to be able to visit.  It sounds like there are so many more in Nottingham though and they had so many interesting uses. I hope the visitor attraction is not too tacky - the website doesn't really sell it too well 

One interesting story we learnt in theStockport ones is that the caves were originaly dug behind people's homes to avoid them having to pay tax on extra rooms.... they just dug back secretly and no one knew they were there until years later.

I do love Rootschat   I learn something knew every day!!

Milly

[weste]

You can also go on a fright nights tour! I found the historical side of leather tanning in the caves very interesting. Try guessing what they used, very freely available! Also were used as air raid shelters.  Did n't realise there were some in stockport.

[Ruskie]

I found the historical side of leather tanning in the caves very interesting. Try guessing what they used, very freely available!

Urine.

[weste]

Yep! You've been reading up.

[Ruskie]

No,not reading up. I think I saw it on that Tony Robinson 'Worst Jobs in History' programme years ago .... 

[adief/CGH]

There will be an open day at Sneinton Hermitage, Nottingham on Sunday 9th September from 2-4pm.
Check out website- www.nottinghamessense.co.uk/sneinton-hermitage-caves

[adief/CGH]

 Gate 3, Park Rock Apartments, Castle Boulevard, Nottingham  caves open on Saturday 8th September at various times.

[dawnn73]

I work in one of Nottingham's shops that has part of the caves as its basement. A lot of shops have boarded or plastered their basements over, but we still have the original bricks.

We can't move through them though, I don't think a well known department store would be happy if we just kept popping up from down below!

It can be quite eerie at night if you're down there alone, but still amazing.