Redcliffe Caves

History hats on. Underneath a terrace of houses these are artificial caves carved out of the red cliffs that the houses stand on (and from where the area takes its name). The product of eighteenth century mining, various historical finds have been made here, and visiting is a good way to find out a bit more about Bristol’s long history.
They’re dry and completely safe, with the possibility of arranging tours or visiting on one of Bristol’s ‘Doors open days’ (held one day of the year when various old buildings and things like Redcliffe caves are opened). Also, they’re easier to get round than some other caves I’ve visited, so you can take along kids.
Intensive (pub based) research by myself has uncovered various local stories about the caves that may or may not have been made up on the spot by the bar man. Various sailors, miners, and slaves are said to haunt the caves (so the stories are at least vaguely historically accurate) and bewitch all those who enter caves. Don’t let that put you off though. Redcliffe caves are a curious and exciting way to uncover a bit of Bristol’s history.