January 31, 2025, by Chloe

The Lions’ Den: Entertainment in Nottingham’s caves

Visitors to Nottingham’s caves are often disappointed to learn that most of them were used to store goods such as ale, wine and hay; or else as wells or kilns. True, they have been a vital part of the fabric of the town for at least a millennium, but these quotidian purposes don’t exactly live up to the romantic ideals propagated in myths. However, there were some caves used for more exciting purposes…

One of the most notable among these are the remarkable caves beneath Willoughby House on Low Pavement, which consist of a large circular chamber with a hemispherical roof, supported by a central column, as well as two smaller circular chambers, also with curved ceilings. They were carved for the Rt Hon Rothwell Willoughby in the 1730s, going on to be described by Charles Deering in his pioneering history of the town a decade later as quite possibly the most impressive in the country: “it is a Question whether there be any Rock Cellars to be compared with them in the whole Kingdom”.   A recent archaeological survey concluded that the space was likely used to store wine and beer, as was implied by Deering’s account, but also postulated that their ‘elaborate form’ indicated that they had also been used for entertaining the Willoughby’s guests – with the convenient access to the alcoholic beverages an added benefit.

Section from page 15 of ‘Nottinghamia vetus et nova’ by Charles Deering; 18th century, featuring a description of the Willoughby House caves. University of Nottingham, EMSC, Not 3.D14 DEE.

Even more ornamental are the caves to be found in two neighbouring gardens on the Ropewalk. One, known as the ‘Columns Caves’, was built for lace manufacturer William Herbert in the 1830s and consists of a single large chamber supported by 18 columns. The interior walls are decorated with more pseudo-columns and, more strikingly, six statues embedded into the rock. These looming figures represented notable figures from the recent past: John Wesley, founder of Methodism; Lord Brougham, a prominent abolitionist; Napoleon Bonaparte; and Bonaparte’s famous adversaries, Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. Rounding out the display of what might be reasonably be assumed to be half a dozen of Herbert’s heroes was a statue of himself: if the construction of a grandiose pleasure cave wasn’t indication enough, he clearly wasn’t a man accustomed to humility.

Photograph of Willoughby House from ‘Links with old Nottingham’ by J. Holland Walker, p20; 1935. University of Nottingham EMC Not 3 D34 WAL

But William couldn’t rest on his laurels, as his neighbour and cousin, Thomas Herbert, was quick to follow in his footsteps. In the past, it has often been argued that Thomas’ caves were carved out in the 1870s, but it has more recently been brought to light that they were in fact mentioned in The History and Antiquities of Nottingham by James Orange, published in 1840. This suggests that they are in fact roughly contemporary with William’s caves and, therefore, that there was more than a little familial competition between this ostentatious pair.

Extract from page 956 of ‘The History and Antiquities of Nottingham’ by William Orange; 1840, featuring discussion of caves belonging to William and Thomas Herbert. University of Nottingham Not 3.D14 ORA

And Thomas’ display certainly was elaborate: a visitor would be greeted by a grand staircase sweeping up into a vaulted cavern, inspired by Haddon Hall, Derbyshire. The entrance was flanked by statues of druidical priests, leading up to a life-size sculpture representing the biblical story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den. Why exactly these themes were chosen is not entirely clear: though there were, of course, longstanding (if unsubstantiated) rumours that the caves had once been used as druid temples; and the titular ‘Lion’s Den’ is often depicted as a rocky pit or cave, making it an appropriate subject for a subterranean setting.

Image of Lion Sculpture from ‘Links with old Nottingham’ by J. Holland Walker, p.32; 1935. University of Nottingham EMC Not 3 D34 WAL

Both the Ropewalks and Willoughby House caves are no longer open to the public – with the latter now being home to the Paul Smith premises: but don’t worry, you can discover more about these fantastic structures and much more at our exhibition, ‘Tales from the Caves’, which is running in the Weston Gallery at Lakeside Arts, Nottingham until 9 March 2025! Learn more on our website!

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