O

f all the places in the world you’d expect to find the entrance to a complex of 400 caves, a shopping centre in Nottingham is pretty far down the list.

But to experience your very own Narnia moment, the upper mall level of the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre is where it’s at, and where you’ll enter the gateway to the City Of Caves.

From this unusual entrance, you’ll descend into a hidden world of tunnels which extends beneath the city centre. The sandstone caves and cellars date back to the Dark Ages. To be honest, they’re still pretty dark so we suggest bringing a torch.

Throughout their long history, they have been used as everything from a medieval tannery to a World War II air raid shelter.

Amazingly, up until 1845, people still actually lived in the caves. To get an idea of the appalling conditions, check out the re-creation of the Drury Hill slums where entire families used to live in a single cellar room without sanitation and natural light.

As well as being a fascinating insight into Nottingham’s diverse history, the City of Caves will also make you appreciate your own comfy bed in ways you wouldn’t think possible.