this is a pretty recent book collaborating loads of old info/lore about the area. Excellent read you may have to order it at the library as its rarely in stock since they got a copy
Wirral Smugglers, Wreckers and Pirates - Gavin Chappel
Fantastic book i emailed gavin,i was that impressed. He's a wiki member yanno!
When I was was kid we were told the caves went from St Hilary's church to New Brighton to Mother Redcaps. Don't know about that. I know that they found some caves late 19th century under the Palace. As kids I saw a friend of mine trying to hacksaw the lock off the Wellington Road garden entrance to the Wormhole and being chased by the owners ( early UE people we were) and later we tried to access Mother Redcaps when the original house was there but didn't get far before a local bobby thwarted us. Also tried to get into the old tower at St Hilarys but got chased by a vicar in a frock. didn't know if he was after getting us arrested - or after us so ran fast.
I remember my Grandad telling me about these tunnels years ago.
I've done loads of reasearch on this recently. I'm in no doubt they exsist as there are one or two maps of the main cavern floating around the internet. I believe in the 90's the owner would open the caves publicly once or twice a year in aid of Claire house etc.. I know someone local to the area who has confirmed this but there seems to have been nothing in recent years.
Does anyone know wether the public viewings still happen. I believe the only remaing access is through a manhole in the garden of Rock Villa. The house is situated just in front of a crazy golf green and there is a visble archway that has been blocked up with sandstone. Any leads or further info would be a great help.
Theres a good book on this by Gavin chappell a chap called Mike Kemble put me onto it last September and it has fuelled my curiosity and i'm determined to have a snoop.
Thanks for the thts peeps, seems to be loads of urban myth around the wormholes. Hard to know what's fact and what's distorted. It's all sandstone so caves would make sense with all the wind and water erosion etc. Doesn't seem to far fetched that smugglers could have extended or linked naturally formed caves and tunnels etc. Just a thought ? Maybe it's the 10year old in me I secretly want it to be like the goonies
It's all sandstone so caves would make sense with all the wind and water erosion etc. Doesn't seem to far fetched that smugglers could have extended or linked naturally formed caves and tunnels etc.
Inside the caves you can see most of it is a natural inlet/cave. Other parts it have been built up with bricks with a tunnel section added towards the shore. There is a bit in the middle that looks like it used to be a way up to the house or the site of a previous house/building.
Thanks for the thts peeps, seems to be loads of urban myth around the wormholes. Hard to know what's fact and what's distorted. It's all sandstone so caves would make sense with all the wind and water erosion etc. Doesn't seem to far fetched that smugglers could have extended or linked naturally formed caves and tunnels etc. Just a thought ? Maybe it's the 10year old in me I secretly want it to be like the goonies
Hay you guys lol
My u.e inspiration came from reading the 'famous five' and the 'secret seven' books, as a child. Good old Enid!!
Thanks for that mate, learnt a lot by coming on here. You all seem like a good lot. Sounds like your speaking from first hand experience mate. Thanks for the info. Planning on making a trip up there as soon as with one of your fellow UE's