Windmill Hill Cavern, Limestone cave and scheduled monument in Brixham, England.
Windmill Hill Cavern is a limestone cave beneath Mount Pleasant Road comprising natural chambers and passages that extend roughly 96 meters in length with a vertical rise of about 30 meters. The formations were created over thousands of years by water erosion working through the soft rock.
The cave was discovered in 1858 when builder John Lane Philp broke through into it with his pickaxe during construction work at Windmill Hill. The find later prompted scientific excavations that revealed important details about prehistoric life in the region.
William Pengelly's excavation team uncovered 36 Paleolithic artifacts, including a flint knife, along with fossils of extinct British animals.
Public access has been restricted since 1977 due to insurance requirements, and the cave remains closed to visitors. While reopening plans were considered at various points, the site today functions as a scheduled monument that cannot be entered.
During scientific excavation led by William Pengelly, researchers recovered about 36 Paleolithic artifacts including a flint knife alongside remains of spotted hyenas, woolly mammoths, and cave bears. This evidence shows that Ice Age megafauna once roamed what is now the English coast.
Location: Brixham
GPS coordinates: 50.39380,-3.51433
Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:45
Brixham Town Hall Market Hall
141 m
Brixham Heritage Museum
162 m
Brixham Theatre
149 m
Nos 24 And 26 Church House Including Front Garden Wall
102 m
Parkham Wood House
173 m
Crocus Cottage
179 m
The Bolton Hotel
129 m
Old Coaching Inn
167 m
Nos 36-42 Including Front Area Railings
162 m
Brixham Library
151 m
Thor House
103 m
Front Garden Wall And Gate Piers At No 133
149 m
Base Of Windmill Approximately 7 Metres East Of No 25
193 m
127-133, Mount Pleasant Road
117 m
Marjon
170 m
Methodist Church Including Front Steps And Railings
55 m
6, Fore Street
104 m
22, Middle Street
176 m
United Reformed Church, Including Schoolrooms, Front Wall and Gates
138 m
2 And 4, Cavern Road
101 m
Mayflower Court
181 m
Corner House
169 m
5, Pring's Court
182 m
3, Pring's Court
175 m
1, Pring's Court
168 m
6, 6A And 6B, Pring's Court
187 m
22 And 23, St Peter's Hill
174 m
Drake House Including Front Area Railings And Shoescraper
132 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes