Hellfire Cave - West Wycombe
Investigation Date: 1 September 2012
Supposedly of very ancient origin, these unique caves were extended in the 1740's by the infamous Sir Francis Dashwood, founder of the notorious Hellfire Club. His aim was to provide an extraordinary addition to his landscape gardens, no doubt inspired by his Grand Tours of Europe and the Ottoman Empire.
Many of his fellow dilettantes were building great estates, landscaping gardens and temples above ground, but no others dared venture underground in this way. The chalk was used to build the main road from West Wycombe to High Wycombe. This also provided employment to the villages of West Wycombe following a succession of harvest failures. The achievement is a true feat of engineering and quite remarkable considering they were all dug by hand. You can still see the individual pick axe marks on the walls.
On his return from his travels, Sir Francis established the famous Hellfire Club, which subsequently held chapter meetings in the Caves and whose members included: Lord Sandwich, John Wilkes and other senior aristocrats and statemen. Sir Francis later became Chancellor of the Exchequer. Benjamin Franklin was also a close friend and visited West Wycombe often.
On entering the Caves, long winding passengers lead deep underground for over half a mile, through the great Banqueting Hall and past various chambers. In these you will find scenes with various members of the Hellfire Club.
The final destination is the Inner Temple which is reached by crossing the River Styx. You are now several hundred feet below the church on top of the hill.
Supposedly of very ancient origin, these unique caves were extended in the 1740's by the infamous Sir Francis Dashwood, founder of the notorious Hellfire Club. His aim was to provide an extraordinary addition to his landscape gardens, no doubt inspired by his Grand Tours of Europe and the Ottoman Empire.
Many of his fellow dilettantes were building great estates, landscaping gardens and temples above ground, but no others dared venture underground in this way. The chalk was used to build the main road from West Wycombe to High Wycombe. This also provided employment to the villages of West Wycombe following a succession of harvest failures. The achievement is a true feat of engineering and quite remarkable considering they were all dug by hand. You can still see the individual pick axe marks on the walls.
On his return from his travels, Sir Francis established the famous Hellfire Club, which subsequently held chapter meetings in the Caves and whose members included: Lord Sandwich, John Wilkes and other senior aristocrats and statemen. Sir Francis later became Chancellor of the Exchequer. Benjamin Franklin was also a close friend and visited West Wycombe often.
On entering the Caves, long winding passengers lead deep underground for over half a mile, through the great Banqueting Hall and past various chambers. In these you will find scenes with various members of the Hellfire Club.
The final destination is the Inner Temple which is reached by crossing the River Styx. You are now several hundred feet below the church on top of the hill.
We are very happy to be going to the Hellfire Caves. it's a place that has been on our minds for sometime. We can offer this to you for an unbelievable price of just £45 per person. Maximum number of people will be just 20
Cost: FULLY BOOKED
Start: 6.00pm
Finish: 12 midnight
Cost: FULLY BOOKED
Start: 6.00pm
Finish: 12 midnight
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Those attending are:
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Jim, Jane, Janet, Kirsty, Lyn, Sue, Helen, Mac, Pauline, Denise, Lorrian, Lorrian, Tina Evens, Helen, Carol, Dan, Kelly x 3
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A deposit of 50% is required to secure a place and this will be non refundable. FULL payment needed no later than the 31st of July 2012.
If you are interested in attending please contact us by:
Email at: southwestlondonparanormal@yahoo.co.uk
Or via: Contact Form - under the "Home" tab above
Address: Church Lane just off the A40 in West Wycombe.
