The Isle of Wight’s coast is dotted with caves, many reputedly used to store contraband during smuggling times.
However, possibly the most famous historical cave on the Isle of Wight – associated with a gruesome murder – was to be found high on the downland.
Michael Morey’s Cave
This infamous cave was located on Gallows Hill half way up the north face of Downend Chalk Pit below Micah Morey’s Hump.
This cave was where the murderous woodcutter Michah – or Michael – Morey supposedly hid after butchering his grandson in 1735. He was said to have lived there on a diet of turnips until the hue and cry following the slaying was over.
Sadly the cave is no longer with us. It was destroyed by Canadian sappers during World War II, who were training on the Island for the Dieppe Raid.
However, in the earlier part of the 20th century, Michael Morey’s cave was well-frequented by locals, who came to view the initials and carvings left in the chalk over the centuries.
In 1935, 5 boys were trapped in the cave, requiring the local police constable to come to the rescue by cutting steps in the chalk.
More on Morey’s cave is to be found in the following Island Echo article.
Luccombe’s Cave of Carvings
The Luccombe Cave of Carvings are to be found to the left of the chine waterfall when facing the cliff.
The cave is accessible but anyone choosing to visit should take care not to be caught out by the tide and be aware that the area is prone to landslips.
A small fishing community existed here until 1910 until a landslip caused the settlement to be washed into the sea.
The older carvings in the cave are believed to have been made by the fisherfolk.
Freshwater Bay Caves
The caves around Freshwater Bay are the most spectacular on the Isle of Wight.
However, none are easily or safely accessible and can only be approached at the lowest tides.
To the east of Freshwater Bay lie Butter Bay Caves, close to Mermaid Rock.
The Butter Bay caves can be reached on foot by the able-bodied, but please be aware of the times of the tides!
To the west of Freshwater Bay is the most spectacular of all Isle of Wight Caves – the famous Neptune’s Cave complex.
These caves are spectacularly coloured – a combination of algae along with the different types of rock minerals.
Access to the Neptune’s Caves complex is best attempted with a kayak or paddleboard and a guide.
The Needles Caves
Further intertidal caves are to be found further along the coast towards the Needles, under the foot of the chalk cliffs of High Down. Again, access to these caves is only for kayakers.
2 of these caverns are known as Lord Holmes’ Parlour and Kitchen. A nobleman of that name was said to have entertained his friends by drinking wine in the cool retreat of one, while the second was used as a wine cellar.
A further cave under High Down goes by the name of Frenchman’s Hole.
The writer Rosa Raine said of Frenchmen’s Hole in in 1861:
“Frenchman’s Hole is where a poor escaped French prisoner hid himself, in hope of being picked up by some passing boat: day after day, he watched the waves from the mouth of the gloomy aperture, and ever and anon observed fishers sailing across the open sea, but they saw him not, and “down his dying heart sank hopeless”, until he expired of starvation.”
There is 1 further cave to the east of Scratchell’s Bay, a few hundred yards from the Needles themselves: Needles Cave, which can only be accessed from the sea.
The Nostrils, Horseshoe Bay
The Nostrils can only be reached at low tide at beach level from the headland from Whitecliff Bay, although at certain times of the year, during very low tides, it is possible to reach Horseshoe Bay from Sandown Bay.
Walking to the bay should only be attempted on an ebb (falling) tide, entailing some scrambling across the submerged base of the cliff between an old collapsed cave and the Nostrils.
Beware if attempting to visit: the coastguard are sometimes called to rescue people trapped by a rising tide, or unable to cope with the terrain.
Also take care as the chalk cliffs are unstable, and you may be at risk of being injured by falling rocks knocked down by the seabirds using Culver cliff as a breeding ground.
The caves mentioned in the article are but a few to be found on the 57-mile coastline of the Island. If you know of any more, let us know in the comments – we may write a further article!
What a great article. Very interesting. What a gorgeous photo of Neptune Cave. I’d be interested to know if there’s any guided kayaking tours to take through these caves. I’ll Google it. Looks beautiful.
And just to add to my first comment, well done IE for making it quite clear about the dangers of visiting these caves and I hope people take note and are sensible!!
More please you learn something every day