The Hellfire Caves, High Wycombe

High Wycombe is home to one of the UK’s best-kept secrets: the threshold between hell and earth. Buried beneath an entire network of underground carverns of the Chiltern Hills idles a much, much darker story—a tale that’s been cited as paranormal and befitting of its 18th century incarnation. And it’s within these drippy crags and crevices that you, the lucky visitor, can take a trip back through time and learn about The Hellfire Club and its many ominous happenings. The best part is, it’s open all year round, too.

The Hellfire Caves comprises an hour-long self-guided tour through the titular underground network. From the moment you embark on your descent, you’re given an option—a fork in the road, so to speak—which allows you to learn more about the historical significance of the caves and its former inhabitants, and how it eventually played a part in The Hellfire Club’s notorious meetings and cultural events. The deeper you go, the more you will find; the colder it gets, the closer you will be to crossing the threshold between the surface and the seventh circle of hell. And it’s signposted, too — so you can’t miss it. So, while you could say that crossing the Arctic Circle is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, it’s not every day that you can claim the opportunity to enter the underbelly of the underworld. In High Wycombe, of all places.

Before You Book

The Hellfire Caves isn’t wheelchair or pushchair friendly, so be prepared to endure several rocky slopes and relatively close-quartered passages. It isn’t unforgivingly dark, nor is it difficult to navigate, though it is advised that you wear sensible shoes and wrap up warm; it gets very cold in the lower parts of the caves.

Thankfully, most things in The Hellfire Caves are well lit and signposted, so you needn’t worry about losing your way or getting swept off your feet by a cloak-and-dagger cultist. That’s a relief.

SKULL SCORE

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