Plan your visit
Immerse yourself in the winding passageways of an underground world. Discover the lives of the people who found themselves living and working in this extraordinary environment.
Soak up the extraordinary atmosphere of the ancient caves carved deep beneath Nottingham’s city centre, including WW2 air raid shelters and a medieval tannery.
Due to the confined nature of the site, we stagger entry times to the City of Caves and limit group size to allow for a comfortable visit. We strongly recommend booking your tickets in advance, especially for busy periods such as weekends and school holidays. We also recommend bringing headphones for our audio guides, as well as comfortable shoes.
Please note, there are no toilets on site. You are welcome to use the facilities at our partner attraction, the National Justice Museum, around 5 minutes' walk away.
The City of Caves is cashless. Need to pay cash? You can book tickets for the City of Caves at our partner attraction, the National Justice Museum, around 5 minutes' walk away.
Admission prices
Buying a ticket
Journey around the winding passageways of Nottingham’s largest network of sandstone caves - we have a range of tickets for sale online. We strongly recommend booking in advance.
The City of Caves is cashless. Need to pay cash? You can book tickets for the City of Caves at our partner attraction, the National Justice Museum, around 5 minutes' walk away.
Entrance to the City of Caves is in allocated time slots with a limited capacity, due to the enclosed nature of the site. Please arrive at least five to ten minutes before your booked time slot and our team will direct you into the Caves at the correct time. This allows for a smooth flow of foot traffic. If you do arrive after your booked time slot, our team will do their best to accommodate you at the next available time but access is not guaranteed.
A word about Gift Aid
All ticket prices include a voluntary Gift Aid donation. As we are a charity, this donation enables us to share the invaluable work we do with more people. You can find out more about Gift Aid here.
Gift Aid | Standard | |
Adult | £9.63 | £8.75 |
Age 5 -17 | £8.40 | £7.65 |
Under 5s | Free | Free |
Students | £8.40 | £7.65 |
Over 60s | £8.40 | £7.65 |
Family ticket – 2 adults & 2 children* | £30.80 | £28 |
Please note: where specified, ticket prices include a Gift Aid donation.
*To purchase a family ticket, simply add the required number of adult and children's tickets to your basket, and your discount will be applied at checkout.
Save on National Justice Museum tickets
Why not buy a joint ticket offering a reduced admission price to the National Justice Museum? Save money and discover a museum experience like no other.
Gift Aid | Standard | |
Joint adult ticket | £19.35 | £17.60 |
Joint child ticket | £14.45 | £13.15 |
Joint concession ticket | £16.95 | £15.40 |
Joint family ticket | £59 | £53.65 |
To book a Joint Ticket
Add your desired tickets for the National Justice Museum and the City of Caves to your basket and the discount will apply automatically. These must be the same type of ticket, for example an adult ticket or a student ticket.
To book Joint Family Tickets
When booking Joint Family Tickets (4 tickets, max 2 adults), you will need to select 4 tickets and choose your entry time for the National Justice Museum and the City of Caves. Your discount will be calculated automatically when you select 4 tickets. To book Joint Family Tickets, click here.
Please note: where specified, ticket prices include a Gift Aid donation.
How to find us
The entrance to the City of Caves is currently at the bottom of the Garner’s Hill Steps next to Nottingham Contemporary. Use the post code NG1 1HF to locate the main entrance. Please note, Google Maps may direct you through the now-closed Broadmarsh shopping centre. When you reach Weekday Cross, continue towards Nottingham Contemporary. Stand at the entrance to Nottingham Contemporary and head down the steps down to your left.
By bus
Buses go to the Nottingham train station and around the city centre – both within walking distance of the caves.
By train
The Caves are located 0.7miles away from Nottingham Train Station (a 10-15 minute walk). Taxis are available at the train station.
By tram
Leave the tram at the ‘Lace Market’ stop. Go to the Nottingham Contemporary and walk down the Garner’s Hill steps to the City of Caves.
By car
From M1 north. Leave the M1 at junction 26 and follow signs for A610. Once in the city centre, follow the brown and white signs for the City of Caves.
From M1 south. Leave the M1 at junction 24 and follow signs for the A453. Once in the city centre, follow the brown and white signs for the City of Caves.
Parking
There is no parking on site.
There are many park and ride sites around Nottingham. The City of Caves is a short walk from the Lace Market tram stop, or Broadmarsh Bus Station.
View Nottingham's Park and Ride sites
There are three large multi-storey car parks in nearby Stoney Street, the Lace Market car park and the new Broadmarsh Car Park which are less than six minutes walking distance from the City of Caves. Other options can be found on Nottingham City Council website. A small pay and display car parking area with around 20 spaces is almost directly opposite the museum steps on High Pavement. Pay and display charges apply.
Opening hours
Monday | 10am - 5pm |
Tuesday | 10am - 5pm |
Wednesday | 10am - 5pm |
Thursday | 10am - 5pm |
Friday | 10am - 5pm |
Saturday | 10am - 5pm |
Sunday | 10am - 5pm |
The final tour is 4.10pm
We will be closed from Tuesday 24 - Thursday 26 December, reopening on Friday 27 December 2024. We will also be closed on New Year's Day, Wednesday 1 January 2025.
The City of Caves will be closed from Monday 6th - Friday 10th January 2025.
Accessibility information
We have made every effort to try and make our sites, facilities and services as accessible as possible to all visitors. Our accessibility page contains lots of detail to help you plan an enjoyable and comfortable visit.
If you have specific access needs we strongly advise that you contact us in advance (0115 988 1955 or caves@nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk) so we can help you to make the most of your visit.
Due to the historic nature of these ancient caves, they are inaccessible for visitors who use wheelchairs, are bringing prams, or have limited mobility.
Please note: There are currently no on-site toilets at the City of Caves. Please ask at reception for details of the nearest facilities.
Gift shop
Our gift shop offers carefully selected mementoes that reflect the fascinating themes of our caves and the city of Nottingham. Money spent in our shop goes back into our charity to support the delivery of enriching learning experiences for all.
Have a question?
Find answers to the questions we’re most often asked. Including booking, language, and accessibility questions, amongst others.
FAQs