Nottingham’s long-standing reputation as the ‘City of Caves’ is being firmly cemented by a wave of recent discoveries – bringing the number of known caves to 924 thanks to dedicated research by Nottingham City Council’s, City Archaeologist, Scott Lomax.
Scott, who has been investigating Nottingham’s subterranean heritage since 2009, believes this is just the beginning. With over 4,000 historical documents already reviewed – and 300 more still to go – he is confident the city will reach 1,000 recorded caves within the next two years, possibly even sooner.
“Caves aren’t just empty spaces – they’re a record of how people lived, worked, and survived in Nottingham over the centuries,” said Scott.
“It is for this reason that Nottingham City Council has a dedicated caves policy to protect these important assets. And it is why I am seeking to find more caves in the city, through research and investigation, because it is only by knowing where they are located, that we can ensure they are protected when a site is redeveloped.”
Many of the caves Scott identifies are found through research in archives and historic documents. In some cases, caves believed to have been destroyed have now been confirmed to still exist.
Scott began his work with the Council in 2008 and started recording caves in 2009. At the time, there were just 425 known caves. His research quickly increased that number to 800 by 2017, with progress slowing during major projects and the pandemic. However, in the past year, his efforts have resumed in full force – resulting in the latest total of 924 caves.
Beyond the excitement of discovery, the work has practical and protective implications. The Council’s planning policy HE2 (Caves) ensures that known caves are taken into account before any new development begins. Scott’s growing database allows him to predict where caves may lie and ensure developers carry out ground investigations before building – reducing the risk of costly delays or damage to these irreplaceable heritage assets.
Councillor Sam Lux, Portfolio Holder for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture, said:
“Scott’s work is not only preserving Nottingham’s heritage – it’s uncovering it. His tireless research is helping to shine a light on our city’s unique underground story and ensuring that our caves are properly protected for future generations.”
Nottingham’s underground landscape tells a story that spans over 1,000 years. Scott even now predicts that Nottingham could be the ‘European City of Caves’!
Get Involved
Members of the public who are aware of caves at their properties or have historical information they wish to share are encouraged to get in touch with the Council’s heritage team. Every lead helps piece together the bigger picture of Nottingham’s underground world.
ENDS