Chapel Lane, Great Bookham, near Dorking, Surrey RH5
Westhumble Bat Cave
Cave
Place photograph
4.5
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
4.5A former chalk mine near Westhumble became a winter bat roost—and was the scene of a dramatic 1954 cave-in that trapped a teenage fossil hunter.
A small, unusual site with a strong local story: an old chalk working, a bat roost and a dangerous 1954 collapse. Its interest is in the history and protected wildlife, not in exploring the cave, whose current access arrangements need checking.
Atmospheric · Historic
Find your way
Open mapChapel Lane, Great Bookham, near Dorking, Surrey RH5
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
This is best understood as a place to appreciate from outside, not an invitation to explore underground. The cave is a former chalk mine, its entrance has reportedly been grilled to protect bats, and a 1954 collapse led to a dangerous rescue. Confirm access before setting out and respect barriers.
Things to do
Read the cave’s rescue story
Learn how a 15-year-old fossil hunter became trapped when the chalk cave roof collapsed in February 1954, and how firefighter Bert Bullett helped free him. This is a story to discover through the reporting, not a reason to enter the mine.
10–20 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A short, outside-only look
- 01
Check current access and land restrictions before travelling.
- 02
If access is permitted, view the site only from a lawful public location.
- 03
Do not enter the mine or disturb bats; leave if the entrance is barred or the approach is restricted.
Verified history
The BBC reports that the Westhumble cave was once mined for chalk. In February 1954, four young people exploring the cave heard a rumble as its roof collapsed, trapping 15-year-old Fred Topliffe. The rescue was hazardous: after digging from the side became unsafe, rescuers worked down from above. Firefighter Bert Bullett helped free Topliffe and was awarded the British Empire Medal for bravery.
Hidden details
The rescue from above — According to the BBC report, the rescue operation changed approach when work from the side became dangerous: emergency services found a way to dig down vertically from above.
When to go
· No specific visiting time is verified. Do not seek out bats at the entrance or disturb a roost.
A visitor account describes the mine as a winter bat roost, but does not establish current bat activity, a viewing opportunity or permission to visit.
No approach or surface conditions are verified. Check access and conditions before travelling; do not enter the mine.
What to look for
From a lawful, safe viewpoint only, look for the mine entrance and any protective grille or entrance structure. Do not cross barriers or enter the cave. The 1954 collapse and rescue are documented in the BBC account.
The story
Chalk mining; bat conservation; cave rescue
Best time to go
No visit season is verified. The cave has been described as a winter bat roost; observe any access restrictions and avoid disturbing wildlife.
No visitor season or viewing time is verified. The mine has been described as a winter bat roost; do not approach or disturb the roost, and follow current site guidance.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The cave is a former chalk mine. A 2018 visitor account reports that its entrance was secured with steel grilles to protect hibernating bats. Treat the cave as inaccessible: do not enter, climb over barriers or disturb bats. Current access to the site and surrounding land is unverified; check before visiting. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
Check before visiting; no parking information is verified. The supplied map pin is a main-place pin, not a parking or entrance location.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
Check before visiting; keep dogs away from any roost entrance and follow site restrictions.
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Accessibility
The supplied source information says the entrance is not wheelchair accessible. The approach, path surface and current access arrangements are not verified.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Westhumble Bat Cave
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
