This strange looking photo shows Kynastons Cave on Nescliffe Hill, Nr, Shrewsbury and I took it when I went walking there today. There is a fascinating history to the cave - but I really like the colours of the sandstone rock face that it is carved into. Unfortunately those responsible for it have locked it up to prevent claims for damages falling down the lethal steps - I expect!Humphrey Kynaston's Cave is a small cave in a red soft sandstone which was formerly used as a cave dwelling. It seems the cliff face is the result of a long ago abandoned sandstobe quarry, and the cave may be the remains of the quarring. The entrance is about six metres up the cliff face with a staircase leading up to it, cut into the soft rocks. Long time usage abraded the steps and made them difficult to use.
The cave has two chambers being about four square metres big, the one on the right being a little bigger than the left one.
The cave is named after Humphrey Kynaston (1474-1534), a robber and enchanter, who was a sort of Shropshire Robin Hood or Rob Roy. He was seemed guilty of murder, together with two others, and was declared an outlaw by King Henry VII in 1491. He had to to take shelter in a cave in the west point of Nesscliffe Rock. He lived in one room and stabled his horse in the other, closing the entrance with an iron door which according to legend became the door of Shrewsbury gaol. Only two years later he was pardoned by King Henry VII.
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