Caves are not a thing you may expect to find on Coventry's doorstep, but there are some - and they look amazing. With the summer holidays coming up, many of us will be looking for things to do and while we are spoilt for choice for theme parks and attractions, there are plenty of places to go back to basics and this piece of history is one of them.
Just south of Stourport-on-Severn, which is just over an hour's drive from our city, you will find the Redstone Caves. If the fact that they are made from Triassic sandstone is not enough to amaze you, their history will. The caves were carved out in the 12th century and went on to become a hermitage, a place where religious men lived on their own to escape the temptations of the world.
The hermitage had a series of rooms and a chapel, and Bishop Latimer of Worcester reportedly noted in the 16th century that the caves were able to lodge 500 men. The 'hermits' manned the ferry crossing there, as there was a ford until the river was dredged, and would offer blessings and prayers for passers-by in return for alms. In later years, the hermitage was used as a school and an alehouse as well as providing places to live.
By the 19th century, the caves were deserted after being condemned. But their appeal as a visitor attraction continues to grow as people from near and far travel to marvel at the precious piece of history.
Remarkably, despite have evidence of human-made habitation in the cliff face since Stone Age times, they stand proudly today and have incredible white streaks and thin bands of coarse material running throughout. This once holy place is surrounded by fencing but is open along a public right of way, according to the geopark website.
The Redstone caves continue to be a hidden historical gem that many continue to discover. The caves, which are on the bank of the River Severn near Stourport in Worcestershire, are widely recognised as one of the top six cave sites in the region - so why not check them out for yourself!
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