Custodians of the Cave

In 2023, following 120 years of Powe's looking after the caves, Kents Cavern officially became part of the esteemed Tudor Hotels Collection, a group known for its unique and historic sites across the United Kingdom.

The Powe Family

For 120 years, Kents Cavern was run by the Powe Family. Five generations of Powes managed Kents Cavern with unwavering dedication, transforming the caves into an award-winning attraction that captivated visitors from around the world. Recognizing the need for a fresh perspective and new opportunities, in 2023, the family made the heartfelt decision to pass the torch to a new owner.

HISTORY FROM 1880 TO 2023

Kents Cavern was a family business for 5 generations and 120 years.

After 15 years William Pengelly drew his Great Excavation to a close in June 1880 and appointed his foreman, George Smerdon, custodian of the cavern. George Smerdon and his son-in-law Francis Powe rented the caves from Lord Haldon until 1903 when Kents Cavern was put up for sale by the Haldon estate. On 23 April 1903 Francis Powe became owner of what is now one of the most important prehistoric cave sites in Europe, recognised by UNESCO. On that day began a journey by one family to secure the protection of a prehistoric site. The Powe Family developed Kents Cavern into a successful heritage attraction and one of the best-preserved natural caves in the country. For 120 years, Kents Cavern was run by the direct descendants of George Smerdon.

Nick Powe | Previous Owners of Kents Cavern

Nick Powe - 2000-2023

Born 1962

Nick Powe ran the caves from 2000-2023 when he took over from his father John. Nick has been instrumental in obtaining UNESCO Global Geopark status for Torbay and chairs the Geopark’s management organisation. He sits on the European Geoparks Network Coordination Committee.

A renewed interest in scientific research at the caves and obtaining Gold tourism awards including best attraction in South West England and VisitEngland’s 2013 Tourism Superstar have led to increasing interest in visiting the caves.

Nick begun his career in international finance and is married to Sheena, a chartered accountant, who takes care of financial management and retail operations. They have four grown-up children who have all worked at the caves and three grandchildren.

Tony Powe | Previous Owners of Kents Cavern

Tony Powe - 1990-1995

Born 1963

Tony Powe, Nick's brother, was general manager at Kents Cavern between 1990-1995. He was instrumental in introducing themed evening tours including the long running Ghost Tour which has now become a trademark of the Kents Cavern visitor experience. Tony left the business in 1995 to pursue business interests in New York where he lives today.

John Powe | Previous Owners of Kents Cavern

Born 1932, died 2000

John was born in Torquay and trained as a chartered accountant with local firm Bishop Fleming. He moved his family to the southwest of France in 1968 when John took up a finance role with Cognac Courvoisier. He later became Finance Director of the world famous Cognac firm. Nick, his brother Tony and sister Louise attended the local French primary school. They soon picked up the language and speak perfect French today.

John retired back to Torquay in 1987 to take over the running of the caves from his father Leslie. He did not realise it at the time but his retirement would be far from relaxed. Despite being a popular visitor attraction, visitor numbers to the region and the caves declined steeply from the mid-1980's.

He ran the caves for 14 years but taken ill in 2000, he died that year. Nick took over the business in summer 2000.

Leslie Powe | Previous Owners of Kents Cavern

Leslie Powe - 1923-1987

Born 1904, died 2001

Leslie began working at Kents Cavern aged 20 and spent his life transforming a curiosity visit to the caverns into a viable business. He retired at 82 in 1987 and outlived his son, living to 97, just as his father Francis had!

The job of converting the cave from a Victorian excavation site to a visitor attraction was immense. Concrete paths had to be laid throughout, mains electricity installed and the main hall (today's shop) was built. Further visitor facilities were added in 1955.

Leslie was to enjoy the fruits of his labours. From the 1950 until the mid-1980s, Torquay experienced a tourism boom. Holidaying in the UK was what everyone did and Torquay was one of Britain's primary seaside resorts. The season lasted from Easter until early October. Beaches were full, trains arrived packed on Saturdays, holiday-makers spent at least a week here and visitors to Kents Cavern were four times what they are today!

Francis Powe | Previous Owners of Kents Cavern

Francis Powe - 1885-1945

Born 1865, died 1962

Francis and his father-in-law, George Smerdon, rented the caverns from Lord Haldon's estate from 1885 until April 1903. Francis was a carpenter and would walk from his home in Torquay to Teignmouth every day. He saw the caves as an opportunity to set up a workshop in Torquay and began to use the caves for his beach furniture business making bathing cabins, beach huts and boats, for nearby beaches at Anstey's Cove, Redgate beach and Meadfoot beach.

In 1903 Lord Haldon's Torquay estate came up for sales including the whole of the Ilsham valley. He could not afford the valley but managed to find enough to acquire the caverns, neighbouring woodlands and quarry (now the car park). On 23rd April 1903 Francis became the proprietor of what was is today recognised as the UK's most important prehistoric cave site. He developed a business selling kindling wood and stone, and soon began to organise the occasional tour of the caves. Interest in visiting grew rapidly as a result of Pengelly's excavations and the prehistoric remains found inside.

In 1925 Francis began to involve his teenage son Leslie and together they transformed Kents Cavern into the visitor attraction we see today - now known as a showcave. He died in November 1962 aged 96, 4 months after Nick Powe was born.

Francis’ contribution to Torbay's heritage is recognised at South Devon College University Centre which has a lecture room named after him, the Powe room.

George Smerdon | Previous Owners of Kents Cavern

George Smerdon - 1867-1885

Born 1826, died 1889

George Smerdon came from Buckland-in-the-Moor and moved to Torquay to find work in 1860. While working at a lime-kiln he was recruited to work under the Kents Cavern excavation site foreman Charles Keeping. Keeping and Smerdon excavated the cave looking for its ancient remains under the watchful eye of the Victorian natural history enthusiast William Pengelly. Pengelly's excavation method was pioneering and demanding, requiring accurate recording at every step. After two years Keeping resigned and George Smerdon was appointed foreman, a position he held for the next 13 years. A special relationship developed between George Smerdon and William Pengelly. At the end of the excavation, on 19

June 1880, William Pengelly organised a small pension and negotiated with the owner of the site, Lord Haldon, for George Smerdon to become custodian.

His daughter Louisa married Francis Powe and so began an association between Kents Cavern and the same family which has lasted over 130 years.