oldreigate.com image number 4211

A plan of Reigate Castle caves from 1804. The plan above shows the castle caves as they appeared in 1804. The tunnel starts at the castle boundary at point G (which was blocked up at this time), and runs upwards to point A in the middle of the castle. The Baron's Cave was a later addition to the original passage, which you can see from point H in this diagram. A further chasm was subsequently added by sand mining approximately North of point D. Of course this plan is an approximation, and rather crude. There are various theories regarding the use and purpose of the Reigate Castle caves, such as being a sand mine, a dungeon, a sally port, a castle cellar, a chapel or a refuge. An old story tells of the Baron's Cave being used as a meeting place by the barons prior to the signing of the Magna Carta by King John at Runnymede. This story is however improbable. From what very little I know of the caves, I favour the idea of the original tunnel, which could date back to the original castle circa 1088, being dug as a sally port (allowing the occupants of the castle to escape or out manoeuvre opposition), with the later addition of the Baron's Cave being added as a cellar. Then in the 19th century illegal sand mining added a chasm within the castle caves, which you can see below incorrectly labelled "guard chamber".

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