Pupils from Exwick Heights Primary School enjoyed an unforgettable day of discovery at Kents Cavern, one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe. 

The trip brought their classroom learning about prehistoric Britain vividly to life as the children explored the fascinating underground caves and the scenic woodland trail above.

During the visit, pupils learned how the caves were formed and later discovered, as well as who once lived inside them. They became real-life archaeologists for the day, searching for clues about how people lived in the Stone Age and even holding a genuine Stone Age handaxe.

Kents Cavern is formed from Devonian limestone, originally created over 3,000 miles away beneath the sea. Over millions of years, tiny sea organisms extracted calcium carbonate from seawater to build their shells and bones, which settled on the seabed after they died. These remains were gradually compressed and hardened to form the limestone we see today.

Around 300 million years ago, massive tectonic movements during the Variscan Orogeny caused continents to collide, forming the supercontinent Pangea and pushing, cracking, and crumpling the rocks all the way toward the Torbay area, a journey spanning 3,000 miles.

The trip was a wonderful opportunity for pupils to deepen their understanding of early human history through hands on, immersive learning. It sparked their curiosity about life thousands of years ago and helped them connect their classroom studies with real-world discoveries.

At Exwick Heights, which is part of Ted Wragg Trust, history is brought to life through an engaging and thought provoking curriculum that helps pupils explore Britain’s past and the wider world. The subject is designed to spark curiosity and fascination, encouraging children to ask questions, think critically and make meaningful connections between the past and the present. 

Mrs Gemma Wills, Headteacher at Exwick Heights Primary School said: “Our trip to Kents Cavern was an incredible experience for our pupils. They loved exploring the caves, learning about prehistoric life, and even handling a real Stone Age handaxe. It’s moments like these that make history come alive and inspire curiosity and critical thinking in our children.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: “At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are committed to providing immersive learning experiences that connect pupils with the wider world. The visit to Kents Cavern gave students a tangible connection to history, sparking their imagination and helping them see the relevance of the past in today’s world.”