
I've wanted to visit Wookey Hole Caves ever since Christmas Day 1986, when I received Doctor Who: Revenge of the Cybermen on video. Starring Tom Baker as the Doctor, the story was part-filmed in the famous show caves, which stood in for Voga - "the legendary planet of gold". And while the "gold" that littered the caves in the story was nothing more than the product of the BBC's design department, plenty of real-life treasures have been discovered in Wookey Hole Caves over the years.
Formed over millions of years, as rainwater percolated through the sedimentary rocks, Wookey Hole Caves and the area surrounding it has been home to humans and animals for the past 50,000 years. Discoveries made here have included prehistoric remains, stone age tools, iron age artefacts, roman coins and pottery, and a 1,000-year-old skeleton.
Although the remains, which were discovered by Herbert E Balch who led excavations there in the first half of the 20th century, belong to a man aged 25-35, they are often claimed to be the bones of the legendary Witch of Wookey Hole who is said to have lived in the caves at the same time.
Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Best of British.
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Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Best of British.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Chris Hallam takes a look back at the Channel 4 improvisation show

HORNERAMA
Derek Lamb celebrates Round the Horne, the radio comedy first broadcast 60 years ago

BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER
BoB's very own Time Lord recalls his early days on the amateur stage, lodging in Liverpool and playing pranks as a professional at The Playhouse

Pieces of Eight
The lovable rogues of childhood fiction belie the harsh reality of the scourges of the seas. Claire Saul previews the National Maritime Museum's latest treasure

Battling On
Ian Wheeler reflects on 50 years of Battle Picture Weekly, Britain's seminal war comic

Another Opening, Another Show
Graham Whalan offers a brief history of amateur musical theatre

Think Again
Simon Stabler talks to a television maths and science legend about his previous life in comedy and as the drummer who stood in for Ringo Starr

Terry's All Gold
Chris Hallam remembers Sir Terry Pratchett

By Royal Appointment
Michael Montagu traces the history of royal warrants

Faster Food
Chris de Winter Hebron recalls his early experiences of \"dining at speed\"