The vast complex of caves at Chislehurst are not natural caverns but are, in fact, ancient mines carved out in the search for chalk and flint. There are some 22 miles of mining passageways, split into three distinct sections named Saxon, Druid and Roman, and joined by later connecting passages.

Mining activity in this area is very difficult to date, but has been carried out by many different peoples over thousands of years. Chalk has always been very important, from the early civilisations right up to the present day, as it provides two basic things: flint and lime. Flint was crucial to early man for tools and later for building, and lime (a bi-product of chalk when burnt) is the basis for plaster and whitewash paint, both used for decoration and wall surfacing.

One of the earliest mentions of the mines appear on a charter c1250, and in a set of local church records in 1737. However, during excavation, no finds were discovered to date the time of the mines' creation, and recent history of Chislehurst Caves (since the early 19th century) is the only well documented information that can be drawn upon.

In the 1830s, a 'Limeburner and Flintmaker' by the name of Soper was known to have carried out his business in the Saxon section, and this seems to have been the last time the mines were actually worked. For some time prior to the early 19th century, the British army used 'Flinklock' muskets, and these may well have been supplied from Chislehurst. Local legend seems to favour the notion that the mines would have provided ideal storage for quantities of smuggled goods.

Once the railway was run into the area, in 1865, Chislehurst Caves became much more accessible. In 1903 when William Nichols, Vice President of the British Archeological Association, pronounced a theory that the mines were made by the Druids, Romans and Saxons (hence the names), a great debate ensued. This did wonders for the increase in 'trippers', who would venture to Chislehurst Caves to see what all the fuss was about.

As tourism boomed, other attractions were staged in Chislehurst Caves including several underground concerts arranged by the Crown Theatre in Peckham. Dogs were also employed during this time to search out members of the public who had strayed from organised groups and found themselves completely lost in the maze of passageways.

During the Great War of 1914, Chislehurst Caves were used as an ammunitions depot, and became part of the Woolwich Arsenal. A narrow gauge railway was installed to transport the munitions through the passages, and these activities continued until 1920 when the army finally left.

Between the wars, the Kent Mushroom Company used the mines but this came to an abrupt halt at the outbreak of the Second World War and the subsequent bombing onslaught over London in 1940. By November of that year Chislehurst Caves had been transformed into an underground city which was utilised throughout the course of the conflict.

With such a diversity of activities carried on over the centuries in the depths of this massive caves complex, it is hardly surprising that people from all walks of life would find some fascination with them. Even today, there are remains of the war paraphernalia to be seen, a modern wall sculpture in an 'altar' alcove, many strange pictures carved into the rocks, and several interesting natural features that are pointed out on the guided tour.