Aveline's Hole

Aveline's Hole is a small limestone cave in Burrington Combe, near the village of Burrington in the Mendip Hills of Somerset, England. It holds a special place in British archaeology: this is one of the oldest known burial grounds in the country, and the site is a protected archaeological monument. Come for the story and the gorge, not for a cave visit.

What is Aveline's Hole?

The cave is phreatic, meaning running water carved it below the ancient water table. It opens in the rock wall of the gorge cutting into the northern slope of the Mendips. The entrance is low and easy to walk past if you do not know where to look.

It came to notice in 1797. Accounts survive from that time, including letters from the poet Robert Southey, who visited on 27 January 1797. The tales of the find differ in detail, and the early skeleton counts, ranging from dozens to more than a hundred, look inflated.

Why does it matter?

People laid their dead here in the Early Mesolithic. Radiocarbon dating of bone fragments, in work led by Dr Rick Schulting of Queen's University Belfast, gave ages of roughly 10,200 to 10,400 years. That made it the earliest scientifically dated cemetery in Britain. Some of the skulls are Early Neolithic, so the cave served for burials over a long span of time.

The University of Bristol Spelaeological Society (UBSS) began excavating in 1914 and recovered remains of at least 21 individuals. A bombing raid in 1940 destroyed most of the collection and the dig records, so later studies had to rely on the surviving bones.

Historic England listed the cave as a scheduled monument in 1992. Its entry stresses both the wealth of human remains and the range of Upper Palaeolithic artefacts found here.

Can you go inside?

Do not treat this as a show cave. The interior is a protected site and the entrance is closed off, so access is restricted. Digging is controlled by the UBSS on behalf of the landowners, and anyone wanting to dig needs approval from the society's secretary first. If you are part of a caving club or have a research reason to visit, contact the UBSS before you travel.

Ordinary visitors can look at the entrance from outside and take photos, without disturbing the rock or vegetation.

How do you get to Burrington Combe?

The gorge runs along the B3134, around a dozen miles from Bristol. Lay-bys line the road, and paths lead from the car park in the lower combe up onto the Mendip plateau. The walk to the cave is a short climb over uneven, rocky ground, so wear sturdy footwear.

What else is nearby?

Burrington Combe is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The limestone cliffs, the gorge and the surrounding heath make good walking country, and routes lead up to Black Down, the highest point of the Mendips.

Frequently asked questions

Is Aveline's Hole open to the public? No. It is a protected archaeological site with restricted access. You can view the entrance from outside, and permission for any work inside rests with the UBSS.

How old are the burials? Mostly Early Mesolithic, about 10,000 years old. A number of skulls date to the Early Neolithic.

Who investigated the cave? The University of Bristol Spelaeological Society began digging in 1914, and modern radiocarbon dating followed in the 2000s.

Where do I park? There are lay-bys and a car park along the B3134 in Burrington Combe, within walking distance of the entrance.