| Go underground for 100th birthday | |
|  | | The ancient caves at Kents Cavern |
| | Kents Cavern in Torquay is celebrating 100 years under the same ownership this year.
The birthday is being marked with an official centenary day on 23rd August 2003, when special events are being held. |
| | | Kents Cavern is one of the top visitor attractions in Devon.
The caves, which are in Wellswood, Torquay, have been lived in - by creatures and then modern man - for 700,000 years.
Remains of bears - thought to be half a million years old - have been found in the cavern, which is Britain's oldest scheduled ancient monument.
We've compiled a potted history, which gives an idea of the importance of the caves, and lists some of the finds which have been unearthed in them.
 | | My, what big teeth you have! One of the remains found at the caves |
For a long time, the caves were inaccessible - but then they were bought by the Powe family in 1903, making this the 100th year since the family acquired them.
The Powes have turned the caves into a visitor attraction which appeals to adults and young people.
To celebrate the birthday, 23rd August 2003 is the official Centenary Day.
On Centenary Day, there will be a display by a cave rescue team, and there will be a kids archaeological dig.
During the day, there will also be pavement cave art, face painting and illustrated talks by local geologists.
Article first published: 31st July 2003
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