Culver Hole, near Port Eynon, South Wales.
Almost certainly a folly, and not really a smugglers’ cave at all. I don’t think anyone knows exactly who built this or why or when.
It’s a natural sea cave at the end of a narrow inlet, that’s been walled up. Except in extremely calm weather, you couldn’t bring a boat in here – the inlet funnels the waves in and they get pretty violent at high tide, and at low tide the water doesn’t reach here at all. And clambering out of a boat would be difficult – you’d need to be a very good rock climber, or have assistance from someone already on the rocks, with a rope.
At low tide, it’s easy to walk to the foot of the wall, and not too difficult a climb up to the doorway. There are stone stairs on the other side of the wall, giving access to the upper openings. The amount of shingle at the foot varies: when it’s high, the climb up to the doorway is easier; when it’s low, it's possible to crawl under the foot of the wall – and the climb is much easier on the inside.
At high tide, access is extremely difficult – possible for a reasonably good rock climber, but only safe with a top rope. Don’t get trapped in there! You’ve got about five or six hours from the time you can first get in until it’s getting dodgy trying to get out again.
There are stories that it connects with caves on the hillside behind, but I’ve explored the cave behind the wall, and if there are any connections, they’re much too tight for human passage (I was a skinny fourteen year old at the time). It’s all solid bare rock, so there are no routes hidden by mud or loose stones or anything.
©Clive K Semmens 1984