Crank Caverns

Crank Caverns is the common name of the remains of the Rainford Delph Quarry near Crank in St. Helens, Merseyside, England. It is a vast network of old tunnels and caverns, with very little known about the owners or workers of the tunnels. It appears that the main portals are much newer than the deeper tunnels found behind the tight squeeze through the gated entrance. Information in the St. Helens local history archives states that sandstone quarrying began here as early as 1700. The 1840s Ordnance Survey refers to the quarry as Rainford Old Delph. The woodland surrounding the caverns was used as a game reserve by the Earl of Derby until 1939, when they became a storage facility for ammunition for the anti-aircraft position at Crank. Today, Crank Caverns are still physically accessible from a nearby public footpath, but is on privately owned land and is technically trespassing. It is still a draw for generations of curious locals who wish to explore, many having heard the numerous local myths and legends from an early age.