BRITAIN’S oldest home and ‘most important prehistoric cave complex’ has sold for the first time in 120 years for just over £2million.

The extensive Kents Cavern grotto, which was formed over 2.5 million years ago, has enthralled visitors since the first caveman made them his home over 100,000 years ago.

More than 80,000 Stone Age artefacts have been uncovered at the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark in Torquay, including an upper jawbone fragment which is thought to be one of the oldest human bones found in Europe.

Other discoveries include a hyaena jaw fragment and woolly rhino tooth.

The caverns, which go nearly a kilometre underground, were transformed and opened as a tourist attraction in the 1880s by adding concrete paths and lighting.

The Powe family, who have owned the caves since 1903, thanked those who have supported them over the years as they announced the sale.

Nick Powe said: ‘The family are delighted to have found an experienced operator to continue caring for the caves, continuing my family’s legacy established over the last 120 years. The new owners will be bringing the Stone Age heritage alive, offering a better visitor experience, exactly what Kents Cavern needs and what I couldn’t do.

‘I have no doubt the caves, managed by the same excellent team, will go from strength to strength. For me, this investment is yet another demonstration that the English Riviera is well on track to become one of the best visitor destinations in Britain, and Kents Cavern, Britain’s oldest home, will be playing a significant part in that.’

Next to the caves and the house is a three-bed holiday cottage, a retail shop, and a 100-seat restaurant. And the site now even hosts weddings, film screenings, music events and performance art.

Let’s hope they don’t bring old-school clubbing back to the venue though.