A virtual reality tour allowing visitors to see inaccessible parts of underground Nottingham appears in the city’s first Caves Festival.
The event runs from this Monday to Sunday, October 23, offering free access to anyone who interested in the vast network below the streets.
It will include the opportunity to try your hand at archaeology, a chance to experience ‘artificial caving’ in a man-made cave and a virtual reality trip around two caves including parts which aren’t accessible in real life.
One of these is Mortimer’s hole, believed to be the route that Edward III’s troops used to enter Nottingham Castle to capture Roger de Mortimer, who was hanged in 1330 for murdering King Edward II.
While the official entrance to the Hole is next to Brewhouse Yard, in 2010 archaeologists suggested that its real location was in a garden in the Park Estate, meaning the public are unable to visit it.
However, the virtual reality tour will provide the opportunity to look inside for the first time.
This has been developed by Hot Knife Digital Media, a local design studio which designs 2D and 3D animations and augmented reality.
Their director, Andrew Whitney, said: “We’re excited to bring the caves into the 21st century using the latest gaming and virtual reality technology, increasing the accessibility of these sites to everyone.”
It coincides with the October half term, giving families the opportunity to explore the rich history behind Nottingham’s subterranean network.
It includes caves dating back to medieval times, and has at least 500 man-made sandstone caves, but there could be up to 1,000.
Over the years they have been used as homes, underground bowling alleys and jail cells.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “Nottingham’s intriguing caves are a fantastic draw for visitors, and there are also plenty of local people who don’t know about the hidden world beneath their feet.
“We hope that the first Caves Festival will change that, and give the city a popular dedicated
event every year to celebrate our caves.”
More information can be found out about the festival on its website.
