Kitley Caves
| Kitley Caves | |
| Devon | |
|---|---|
| SX57485130 | |
| Co-ordinates: | 50°20’40"N, 4°0’16"W |
The Kitley Caves are found in the woods outside Yealmpton in the south of Devon. They are a collection of cave and grottoes set in woodland with nature trails alongside the Yealm estuary.
The largest of the caves, once known as "Shelter Cave" was formerly opened as a show cave, but closed in 2000. Though a small cave compared with other show caves, its interest is from the archaeological finds here: from the Stone Age there have been found human artefacts and the bones of species long since extinct in these isles: elephant, hippopotamus, hyena and cave bear. (The finds are now in the nearby museum). Later Bronze Age man was here too, and artefacts of that age of mankind have been found here too.
The cave was revealed by quarrying in the eighteenth century and opened up to visitors.
The cave is within a nature reserve, rich in local wildlife. There are signposted nature trails alongside the estuary.[1]
Outside links
References
- ↑ Oldham, Tony and Anne: 'Discovering Caves - A guide to the Show Caves of Britain' (1972)