Can you buy a cave? 5 real-life cave property listings

Cave-dwellers get a bad rap. They're typically depicted as knuckle-dragging club wielders, not known for their hospitality or charm. At best, you might picture a Flintstone – at worst, someone who'll greet you with a grunt.

So, you might be surprised to learn that there are many modern-day troglodytes who live in caves that are far from primitive, whether in the UK, Spain or elsewhere in the world.

If you ever find yourself daydreaming about getting away from it all, keep your eyes peeled. While it's not a common occurrence, cave property listings pop up now and then. Here are five of our faves…

1. Limestone caves in Wales

Back in 2021, property listings site Rightmove posted an advert for five caves in Wales, joined together by a seven-mile-long underground network. The caves are hidden away in Welsh woodland, a stone's throw from waterfalls and mountains.

At the time of sale, the caves had an asking price of £150,000 – the same price, Rightmove noted, as a Kensington car parking space. And considering that the average asking price for a house in London was £685,200 in 2023, you might think this is a steal.

However, if you wanted to move in, you would need to commit to some serious renovation work (not to mention applying for planning permission).

The listing is no longer there. It could be that the seller had second thoughts, but we like to think it was bought by a modern-day trog or enterprising property manager.

2. Kents Cavern, Torquay

Prehistoric, two-acre Kents Cavern has been owned by the Powe family for over a century. It's a popular tourist attraction, with around 80,000 visitors a year.

Despite its name ("cavern" in the singular), it's a full-blown cave system dating back to the early Pleistocene period – that's around two million years ago. It was home to Neanderthals, who left behind a jawbone fragment that's the oldest example of human remains in northwestern Europe.

It's also notable for having inspired Hampsley Cavern, the semi-fictional cave in Agatha Christie's 1924 novel The Man in the Brown Suit.

Since 1903, it's been open for business – but in 2023 the Powes put the cave system on the market for a whopping £2,500,000. The current owner wants to retire and no one's willing to take it on.

3. Cave houses in Orce, Spain

Granada is famous for many things, not least the medieval Alhambra palace. But did you know it's also home to a neighbourhood of cave houses known as "Sacromonte"?

It's unclear why these cave dwellings were first dug. Historians believe that construction began in the 16th century as a response to the expulsion of Jews and Muslims from their homes. These diasporas mingled with the nomadic Romani.

The caves, then, were a refuge for marginalised communities – and, down the line, became the birthplace of flamenco. Today, they're home to Granada's Roma population.

But Spain's cave homes aren't restricted to Granada. There are around 20,000 in the south of Spain. 

Take Orce. About 140 kilometres east of Granada, it has a 20-strong community of cave houses. At the time of writing, around six people live there all year round. The rest are holiday homes for tourists.

In 2023, four of these caves homes went up for sale. The word "home" is important here. These are furnished properties with terracotta tiles, wooden beams and windows. Each has its own front garden, entrance hall, living room, kitchen and bathroom. These are a step up from a simple hole in the ground.

Nick Wachter, who listed the properties, says "the most special thing about these properties is the concept of rural cave living in the countryside, in a community setting" and suggests that they would suit an older buyer or someone investing in tourism rentals.

4. Dracups Cottage, Bridgnorth

Back in 2016, a curious listing appeared. From the outside, it looked like a simple, homely two-bedroom cottage. But once you pass through the kitchen and utility room, you find yourself in a gorgeous, ornate, manmade cave replete with vaulted stone pillars.

The whole house is a testament to the vision of former owner and local artist Anthony Dracup, a man who turned an unremarkable railwayman's cottage into a walk-in work of art.

The property was bought by a couple and opened to the public in spring 2021. For two-and-a-half years, they offered what they called an "Alice in Wonderland" experience, having supplemented Dracup's work with their own additions. These included medieval fittings in Dracup's cave and a "hobbit's lair" bedroom.

5. House with cavern, San Antonio, Texas

Finally, let's take a trip to Texas – not, as you might expect, to the Natural Bridge Caverns, but to a family home in San Antonio. Why? Because this family home – which went on the market in August 2022 for $875,000 – boasts its own cavern.

In 2004, the owners were getting ready to build the house when they noticed something different – a draught of cool air emanating from a hole in the ground. Much to their surprise, they realised they were standing on top of a house-sized cave.

So construction went ahead – and this family home enjoyed access to its very own cavern.

The property quickly received an offer and as far as we know the sale is still pending. We wish its future owners the best of luck in their home with its subterranean extension! 

Final thoughts

So there you have it – five of the funkiest cave property listings we could find. We hope you've enjoyed the tour – and if you're looking for a cave to call your own, we hope it's inspired you a little.

Looking for some fun and educational things to do in North Yorkshire? Why not visit our fascinating ancient cave system? Book your tickets for Stump Cross Caverns today – or explore our calendar of unique events and experiences.