Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves is an extensive geological and archaeological cave system located in Torquay, Devon. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
To skip the explanation and just book your tickets, head here.
This guide was last updated in April 2026, confirming that access to the caves remains by guided tour only and walk-up tickets are increasingly limited during school holidays.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Open daily from 10:00 am; last entry varies seasonally |
| Ticket prices | Adults £21.50, Children (3-15) £17.50 |
| Address | Cavern House, 91 Ilsham Road, Torquay, Devon TQ1 2JF |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site parking; nearest bus stops on Ilsham Road |
| Typical time needed to visit | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Kents Cavern opening hours
Kents Cavern is open every day of the year, beginning at 10:00 am. The attraction operates entirely via guided tours, which run at regular intervals throughout the day.
While the morning opening time is consistent year-round, the final tour of the day changes depending on the season. During the winter months, the last entry is typically mid-afternoon, while summer schedules extend the final tour into the late afternoon to accommodate higher visitor numbers.
Kents Cavern ticket prices
Standard adult admission for Kents Cavern is £21.50, while a child ticket (ages 3 to 15) costs £17.50. Children under the age of three enter for free, and a reduced rate of £13.50 is available for registered disabled visitors or their accompanying carers.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026.
How to get to Kents Cavern
To get to Kents Cavern, visitors must head to the Ilsham Valley area of Torquay in Devon. The site is accessible by road via the A379 and A3022, following local brown tourist signs directly to the attraction.
For those using public transport, local bus services operate from Torquay town centre and stop near Ilsham Road. The nearest major railway station is Torquay, located approximately two miles from the caves, requiring a short taxi ride or bus connection to reach the entrance.
Parking at Kents Cavern
There is free parking at Kents Cavern available in the dedicated on-site car park, situated level with the visitor centre. This area has no designated blue badge bays, and spaces are allocated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
During peak seasons and school holidays, the primary car park frequently reaches capacity. When this occurs, visitors can use adjacent free street parking or the council-operated Ansteys Cove car park, which requires a 10-minute walk to the entrance.
How long to spend at Kents Cavern
A typical visit to Kents Cavern takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. The mandatory guided underground tour lasts just under one hour from start to finish.
Visitors should allocate an additional 30 to 60 minutes to explore the site’s supplementary areas. This allows time to walk the outdoor Woodland Trail, browse the gift shop, or visit the on-site cafe overlooking the valley.
Accessibility at Kents Cavern
Accessibility at Kents Cavern is straightforward for most visitors, featuring mostly flat concrete surfaces and only nine shallow steps throughout the underground route. The caves provide ample headroom, meaning visitors do not need to stoop.
However, wheelchair users are unable to navigate past the first chamber due to the natural constraints and narrow passages of the cave system. Standard single pushchairs can complete the tour with some lifting over steps, but double or all-terrain pushchairs are too wide and are not permitted inside.
Inside / what to see at Kents Cavern
Inside Kents Cavern, visitors enter a 400-million-year-old subterranean environment filled with prominent geological formations. The underground route passes heavily concentrated areas of natural stalagmites and stalactites that line the cave ceilings and floors.
The guided tour explains the archaeological significance of the site, which once provided shelter for ancient humans and Ice Age predators. The route includes a moment where the guide switches off the artificial lighting, allowing visitors to experience total underground darkness.
Above ground, the site features a Stone Age-themed Woodland Trail set within the surrounding trees. This outdoor area includes an Ice Age animal hunt designed for younger visitors, which can be completed before or after the main cave tour.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Visitor Advice |
| Timing | Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time to ensure prompt entry with your guide. |
| Crowds | Pre-purchase tickets online well in advance if visiting during standard school holidays, as walk-up entry is often unavailable. |
| Layout | Use the visitor centre restrooms before your tour begins, as there are no toilet facilities located inside the cave system. |
| Entry process | Wait by the Cave Entrance located to the right of the main building for your specific tour group to be called. |
| On-site logistics | Wear warm clothing and sensible footwear, as the underground environment remains at a constant 14 degrees Celsius all year round. |
Frequently asked questions about Kents Cavern
| Question | Answer |
| Is Kents Cavern suitable for children? | Yes, the site is suitable for children and includes a family-friendly Woodland Trail, though double pushchairs are not permitted. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Kents Cavern? | Yes, advance booking is highly recommended as entry is strictly by guided tour and slots regularly sell out. |
| Is Kents Cavern open on Sundays? | Yes, the caves, cafe, and visitor centre are open on Sundays and every other day of the week. |
| Are bags allowed at Kents Cavern? | Yes, standard bags are allowed inside the caves, and an area is provided for larger school group bags if arranged in advance. |
Things to do near Kents Cavern
- Babbacombe Model Village: A miniature village and garden attraction featuring thousands of tiny buildings and figures.
- Torquay Museum: A local history museum housing natural history exhibits and an extensive Agatha Christie gallery.
- Torre Abbey: A historic building and art gallery set within a preserved 12th-century monastery on the seafront.
- Bygones: An immersive indoor attraction featuring a life-sized Victorian street and vintage memorabilia.
- Paignton Zoo: A large zoological and botanical garden home to thousands of animals across diverse habitats.
More South-West England travel
Other South-West England travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Visiting Berry Pomeroy Castle in Devon – England’s most haunted castle.
- How to see the Whitelady Waterfall in Lydford Gorge.
- Visitor guide to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath.
- What to look out for at Wells Cathedral.
- Learn the witch legend at the Wookey Hole Caves.
