On Tuesday 18th May we in the Nottingham Social Activities Group had our first visit to a Nottingham cave, at the Bell Inn on Angel Row on the edge of the Old Market Square.
To say it was successful would be an understatement. The event attracted 23 members and their friends and relatives, which is an unusually high number; everyone said how much they enjoyed the tour of the caves and the evening as a whole and it was overall a very encouraging outcome. I’m very glad I started the whole caves visiting project now. 🙂
Of course I have to thank those who have helped and provided information and done lots of the legwork, especially Cindy and Richard. And Craig Sharp-Weir, the manager of the Bell and our tour-guide three times on Tuesday evening. He really made the event work, as he is extremely enthusiastic and entertaining. We started with drinks and a meal upstairs in the ‘Belfry’, and were divided into three groups of 7 or 8 to do the tours.
There was lots to see down in the Bell’s caves, and the highlight was probably the sight of a second level of underground passages under those of the Bell which extend a long way under the neighbouring shops. These were apparently carved out in the early 20th century and may have been forgotten about mid-century, after the 2nd World War; they were only rediscovered by accident. We did not have the legal right to explore them currently, but it is something to look into.
Pictures to follow.
