Carnglaze Caverns

Carnglaze Caverns is a remarkable series of man-made underground caverns carved from the Cornish slate. Located near the village of St Neot on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor, the caverns descend through three chambers to a subterranean lake of striking blue-green water, fed by natural springs deep within the hillside.

The site began as a surface slate quarry, with underground working from around 1800 until 1903, and the caverns later served as a rum store for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. They opened to visitors in 1973. Today they operate as a visitor attraction where guided and self-guided tours take you through illuminated chambers that reveal the geology and industrial heritage of the site.

The deepest chamber houses the underground lake, its still waters reflecting the cavern walls in an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Above ground, the walled garden is open for picnics and there is a crystals and crafts shop. The caverns maintain a constant cool temperature year-round, making them a welcome retreat on hot summer days and an atmospheric venue during the winter months. Carnglaze also hosts concerts and events, using the first cavern, the Rum Store, which was converted into an auditorium in 2001. Opening days and hours change by season, so check the official website before you go.