King Arthur's Cave

King Arthur's Cave is a limestone cave on Great Doward hill in Herefordshire, close to Symonds Yat and roughly four miles north-east of Monmouth. It sits in the Wye Valley, and it is both a small nature reserve and one of the most significant Ice Age sites in England.

What is King Arthur's Cave?

The cave opens at the foot of a low cliff at the north-western end of Lord's Wood. It has a double, interlinked entrance and two main chambers, about 285 feet above the River Wye. In front of it lies a platform of undisturbed deposits that archaeologists have dug for generations.

Where does the name come from? Nobody knows for certain. The link with the legendary king is folklore rather than history.

What was found here?

People used the cave in the Upper Palaeolithic. Historic England's list entry notes it as one of only five English caves with evidence of both Early and Late Upper Palaeolithic activity. Finds include flint tools and bones of Ice Age animals: woolly mammoth, reindeer, horse and red deer, along with hyena, brown bear, lion and rhinoceros.

The Rev. William Symonds led the first major dig in 1871, using dynamite to break up stalagmite floors, a method no one would accept today. In 1925-1927 the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society worked the entrance platform and recovered Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic material.

What can you see today?

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust manages the site, which covers about two hectares. Woodland has regrown over old quarry workings and supports a rich flora, including yellow bird's-nest and several orchids. The small caves shelter horseshoe bats, cave spiders and hibernating herald moths. The Trust's White Rocks reserve lies only a few hundred feet from the cave mouth.

How do you get there?

The reserve is on Great Doward, postcode HR9 6DU. A small pull-in at the top has room for three or four cars. Entry is free. The walk from the car is short, but the woodland paths can be slippery, so wear sturdy footwear. The cave works well as a brief stop on a day in the Wye Valley, for example alongside a walk at Symonds Yat.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee? No. The reserve is free, and children and dogs are welcome.

Did King Arthur really live here? There is no evidence of it. The cave matters for its Palaeolithic finds, not the legend.

Can you go inside? You can reach the chambers, but it is a natural cave with no lighting or facilities. Bring a torch and take care around the bats that overwinter in nearby caves.

Where do you park? At the small pull-in at the top of the reserve. Space is limited, so arrive early in busy periods.