The Caynton Caves: One Of Britain's Most Mysterious Places
An ordinary rabbit's hole in a farmer's field leads to an underground sanctuary once used by a medieval religious order - it's one of Britain's most mysterious places.
The network of man-made chambers are located on the grounds of Caynton Hall, near Beckbury in Shropshire.
The exact purpose and date of their construction remain debated.
Situated less than a metre below the surface, they seem to remain structurally untouched.
According to local legend, the caves were used by followers of the Knights Templar in the 17th Century.
A sword unearthed 30 years ago in the Caynton Caves has been identified as a valuable 13th century weapon, possibly linked to a member of the Knights Templar.
Mark Lawton stumbled upon the rusty blade in the underground chambers near Beckbury in the late 1980s and brought it home, where it remained on his windowsill.
Its true origins came to light only after he decided to send the unusual item to local auctioneers for evaluation.
The Knights Templar were a medieval Christian military order founded in 1119 during the Crusades, with the primary goal of protecting Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
They became one of the wealthiest and most powerful organisations of their time, known for their distinctive white mantles adorned with a red cross.
Initially, the Templars were a group of nine knights, led by Hugh de Payens, who pledged themselves to defend Jerusalem and its surrounding areas.
Their influence rapidly grew, receiving support from European nobility and the Church.
Over time, the Templars established a network of fortifications, banks, and estates across Europe and the Middle East, contributing to their reputation as both fierce warriors and financial innovators.
The Templars were recognised for their discipline and fighting skills, particularly in key battles of the Crusades.
In addition to their military role, they developed early forms of banking, offering services like money transfers and loans, making them one of the first international financial institutions.
Despite their success, their immense wealth and independence made them targets of suspicion and envy.
In 1307, under pressure from King Philip IV of France, who was deeply indebted to the order, the Templars were accused of heresy, leading to their downfall.
Many members were arrested, tortured, and executed, and in 1312, Pope Clement V officially disbanded the order.
However, historian and author Dan Jones argues that there is no evidence connecting the caves to the Templars, while Historic England dates the grotto to the late 18th or early 19th century.
The site is located on private land and is not open to the public.
However, since at least the 1980s, the caverns have occasionally been used for unofficial secret ceremonies and rituals.
They were vandalised and subsequently sealed off in 2012.
After being reopened, a photographer gained access, bringing the caves into the spotlight with widespread media coverage in March 2017.
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