Hell fire caves

Hell Fire Caves are a network of man-made caverns that extend about a quarter of a mile or 400 metres underground. They were excavated between 1748 and 1752 for the infamous Francis Dashwood, 15th Baron le Despencer, founder of the Dilettanti Society and co-founder of the notorious Hellfire Club, whose meetings were held in the caves. Many rumours of black magic, satanic rituals and orgies were in circulation during the life of the club. Dashwood’s club meetings often included mock rituals, pornographic materials, much drinking, wenching and banqueting. Recently, there have been reported sightings of ghostly figures in the cave.