Hellfire Caves: Barnet families visit site of 18th-century secret society
The manmade tunnels in West Wycombe, once used for pagan rituals, now offer a family-friendly attraction with local links
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Families from Barnet travelling to West Wycombe can explore a network of manmade tunnels once used for secretive gatherings of the Hellfire Club. The caves, dug in the 1750s, stretch a quarter of a kilometre beneath the Chilterns and are now a visitor attraction with interpretation boards focusing on local labourers, the Dashwood estate, and reported supernatural activity.
Sir Francis Dashwood, a wealthy aristocrat and politician, ordered the excavation of the caves. Officially, the work provided employment for local farm labourers during poor harvests, with the chalk used to build a road between West Wycombe and High Wycombe. However, Dashwood also used the tunnels as a meeting place for his Hellfire Club, a secret society linked to pagan rituals and debauchery.
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A secret society’s legacy
The Hellfire Club’s activities remain largely undocumented. Accounts from the time suggest members engaged in drunken orgies and Bacchanalian behaviour, though evidence is fragmented. Benjamin Franklin, the American statesman, visited the caves during his time in Britain, but there is no record of his participation in the club’s activities.
Today, the caves offer a family-friendly experience. Visitors can explore narrow passages, a large Banqueting Hall, and a shallow water feature dubbed the River Styx. Interpretation boards provide details on the workers who dug the tunnels, the Dashwood family’s history, and reported ghost sightings. The site also includes a café and gift shop.
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What to see nearby
Above the caves stands the Dashwood mausoleum, a hexagonal structure dominating the hillside. Nearby, St Lawrence’s Church features a golden ball on its tower, another alleged meeting place for the Hellfire Club. The surrounding area offers walking routes and views of red kites over the Chilterns.
West Wycombe Park and Hall, Dashwood’s former residence, is now managed by the National Trust. The site is open for three hours a day, with some family members still living on the estate. A short walk away, the Walled Garden café provides family-friendly facilities, including a playground and soft play area.
How to visit
The Hellfire Caves are located in the village of West Wycombe, a short taxi ride or hour’s walk from High Wycombe station. Several car parks serve the area, including one near the Walled Garden at HP14 3AP. The caves take around 45 minutes to explore, with additional time recommended for reading the interpretation boards.
Questions this report answers
+What were the Hellfire Caves used for in the 1750s?
The caves were excavated by Sir Francis Dashwood, officially to provide work for local labourers during poor harvests. They later became a meeting place for his Hellfire Club, linked to pagan rituals and drunken orgies. Evidence of the club’s activities remains fragmented.
+Can families from Barnet visit the Hellfire Caves?
Yes, the caves are now a family-friendly attraction. Visitors can explore tunnels, read interpretation boards on workers and local history, and see features like the Banqueting Hall. The site includes a café and gift shop.
+How long does it take to explore the Hellfire Caves?
The caves take roughly 45 minutes to explore. Allow extra time if you read all the interpretation boards. Nearby attractions, such as West Wycombe Park and the Dashwood mausoleum, can extend the visit.
+What else is there to see near the Hellfire Caves?
Nearby attractions include the Dashwood mausoleum, St Lawrence’s Church with its golden ball, and West Wycombe Park, managed by the National Trust. The Walled Garden café offers family facilities, including a playground.
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