Man finds 'cave-dwelling' community living in caves under major UK city

A YouTuber’s heart-rending journey into the caves beneath a bustling UK city has surfaced online. The vlogger, known as Joe Fish, headed to Bristol to see if the rumours of 'cave dwellers' residing underneath the urban streetscape were true.

"Would it surprise you if I told you there was a community of people living deep underground in caves in the heart of a UK city in 2024? " Joe said. "Growing up on the outskirts of Bristol, I heard rumours and 'stories' of a community of cave dwellers living a near Stone Age existence who inhabited the caverns high up in the cliffs overlooking the city of Bristol."

Joe added: "Naturally, as a youngster, I believed these to be stories of pure fantasy, but in recent times, curiosity got the better of me. In this UK documentary, after months of research, I headed out in search of the homeless cave-dwelling community of Bristol."

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In Joe's video, he unveils Bristol's depths, where living out of cars, vans, caravans and caves is notably prevalent. "However, it seems there is also a growing community of homeless people who live deep underground in the caves and caverns around the city of Bristol," he said.

Upon reaching the city 'outskirts', he found the answer to his question. There, against the 'side of a cliff', Joe encountered a homeless individual who had made their home in that cliffside retreat, reports .

The former serviceman told Joe how he's been forced to take up residence in the cave due to Bristol's skyrocketing housing and rental costs. Bristol is the fourth most expensive city to live in the UK after London, Cambridge, and Oxford.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate that average private rent in the UK soared by nine per cent in the year leading up to February 2024. Zoopla also reports that the average Bristol house price sits at £335,900 - and the homeless man's story sheds light on just how dire the situation can be.

The unnamed cave dweller told Joe that despite the cave's modest size, it is well-kept. However, he faces significant hurdles, such as the near impossibility of accessing benefits without a bank account.

He explained that although some high-street banks may offer a "homeless person's account," they still require proof of address, which stands as an obstacle for many seeking to open one. In his conversation with Joe, the man expressed his loss of hope in finding permanent accommodation and instead made the cave his home.

Despite his circumstances, the ex-serviceman has ingeniously rigged up a sink with running water, using a "basic filter" crafted from woolly hats. He has also fortified the entrance with chicken wire to stop leaves from entering.

His subterranean abode has a double bed, cookware, and blankets too. Deeper within the cave, he presented Joe with a hut constructed by a friend years before, complete with a stone wood burner.

Reaching the caves involves a tricky trek along narrow paths with sheer drops, but they've been a haven for former soldiers and others in need for quite some time. Though cost-effective, this unusual lifestyle isn't everyone's cup of tea.

The man said: "A lot of people come out and think it's great, it's wonderful. But, it's alright until suddenly it becomes winter."

Joe regularly shares footage highlighting Britain's severe housing problem. "I just thought it was a myth, but to actually find these encampments is shocking, truly shocking," he remarked on his surprising find. "Things have got so bad in Bristol that people have literally reverted back to the Stone Age and are now inhabiting caves."

Bristol City Council's website states: "It's very unlikely that you'll be offered a council property because the waiting list is very long. Even people with the greatest need often wait several years before they get a council property."

The council advises looking into private renting instead. But it's tough for those without homes since you can't access benefits without a permanent address and bank account, leaving many to take dramatic steps to find shelter.

. The government's webpage outlines methods for if you're facing homelessness or its immediate threat.

How many people are homeless in the UK?

According to the most recent official statistics, 358,370 households sought assistance from their local authorities due to threats of homelessness or the risk of losing their homes in 2023-24, an increase of over 10% from the previous year. Of these, 324,990 were determined to be homeless.

On any given night, at least 300,000 individuals in the UK find themselves without a home. This number encompasses those residing in inadequate temporary housing, those couch-surfing with friends, and those who are forced to sleep outdoors.

showed 11,993 rough sleepers spotted on London’s streets between April 2023 and March 2024. That’s a 19% increase on the previous year’s total and 58% higher than a decade ago.