The Hellfire Caves

Venture beneath the Chiltern Hills at The Hellfire Caves in West Wycombe

  • Age Restrictions: Suitable for ages 4+
  • Duration: Stay as long or as little as you like
  • Location: The Hellfire Caves, Church Ln, West Wycombe, High Wycombe HP14 3AH
  • Tickets Include: Access to The Hellfire Caves, self-guided tour, access to Franklin's Cave, the Banqueting Hall and the Inner Temple, access to Courtyard, Cafe and Gift Shop

What are The Hellfire Caves in High Wycombe?

Just an hour’s drive from London, step into the shadows of history and mystery at The Hellfire Caves, located in the heart of West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The underground labyrinth offers a spine-tingling adventure through 18th-century tunnels steeped in scandal, secrets, and subterranean charm.

Get ready to travel underground, deep into the Chiltern Hills as you explore The Hellfire Caves! Originally excavated by Sir Francis Dashwood in the 1740s, these chalk and flint caverns stretch over 400 metres underground, winding beneath the ground and even beneath St Lawrence’s Church.

What can you do at The Hellfire Caves?

  • Enjoy a self-guided tour through the eerie and historic chalk tunnels and explore atmospheric chambers as waxwork figures and sound effects bring the 18th-century Hellfire Club to life!
  • The Caves: Explore the network of man-made chalk and flint tunnels stretching about 400 meters underground, originally excavated in the 1740s by Sir Francis Dashwood to provide employment and materials for road construction.
  • The Hellfire Club: Learn about the secretive and controversial society officially known as the Knights of St Francis of Wycombe. Founded by Dashwood, it hosted elite members - including politicians and artists - for mock rituals, paganism, and hedonistic gatherings deep within the caves.
  • Benjamin Franklin: Uncover the history of Benjamin Franklin, The American statesman was a close friend of Dashwood and visited West Wycombe. While not a formal member of the Hellfire Club, Franklin spent time at the estate and is commemorated with a cave named after him.
  • Dashwood Mausoleum: Located above the caves on West Wycombe Hill, this striking structure was built by Dashwood and symbolizes the link between the spiritual and the profane - Heaven above, Hell below.
  • The Banqueting Hall: Explore one of the largest chambers in the caves, allegedly the biggest man-made chalk cavern in the world. It was used for lavish feasts and gatherings by the Hellfire Club.
  • Franklin's Cave: Named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, this chamber marks his connection to the site and his visits to Dashwood’s estate. It’s part of the route through the caves.
  • Inner Temple: The final chamber, located beneath St Lawrence’s Church, where the most secretive rituals of the Hellfire Club were said to take place. Its position symbolizes the descent from Heaven to Hell.
  • The River Styx: See the subterranean stream you’ll cross to reach the eerie Inner Temple, once the meeting place of the notorious Hellfire Club.

Ready to descend into the depths of history? Book The Hellfire Caves tickets today and have them delivered instantly via email & SMS. 

Location

The Hellfire Caves

Church Ln,
West Wycombe,
High Wycombe,
HP14 3AH
Show on Google Maps

How to find us

Nestled within the beautiful West Wycombe Estate, The Hellfire Caves are easy to find.

  • Located at HP14 3AH, just a stone’s throw away from the Walled Garden café.

There is very limited parking at the caves but there is a 200 space car park located at HP14 3AP – a short 5 minute walk away!

  • The Hellfire Caves What3Words: snap.stores.sheets
  • Car Park What3Words: shakes.draw.shell
More Info
Are The Hellfire Caves wheelchair accessible?

Due to the nature of the caves and the width of the tunnels, The Hellfire Caves are unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. 

What age are The Hellfire Caves suitable for?

The Hellfire Caves have a handful of age restrictions to ensure the safety of all visitors:

  • Age Restrictions: Suitable for ages 4+
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • Running is not permitted within the caves.
  • Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. 
  • Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs due to narrow, uneven, and steep passages.
  • Baby slings are available, and pushchair parking is provided.
  • Visitors prone to dizziness or fainting should avoid entering the cave
When is the last admission for The Hellfire Caves?

The last admission to the caves is 30 minutes prior to closing. 

Is there food and drink at The Hellfire Caves?

All visitors to The Hellfire Caves can enjoy access to the cafe, which serves a variety of hot and cold food and drinks. 

Are The Hellfire Caves dangerous?

The Hellfire Caves can be dangerous. In parts, they are steep, narrow, slippery and dark. The floors are uneven and some of the ceilings are low, but the expert team are on hand to keep visitors safe. 

Where can I get the cheapest tickets for The Hellfire Caves?

You can get cheapest tickets for The Hellfire Caves on Lovetovisit.com. Lovetovisit guarantees price match or better, so you always know you'll get the best price.

You might also like

Things to do

Family Days Out Food and Drink History, Art and Museums Seasonal Events & Activities Sport Tickets Theatre and Live Events Theme Parks & Thrills Things To Do Indoors Things To Do Outdoors Trips and Tours Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife