portsdown hill tunnel entrance
Reports; Images; Videos; Map; Written by Nick Catford on 01 August 1989. Say no more. Fort Southwick UGHQ low level access road]. end. and of course locked, what I can remember is the doors were fixed on From the staircase room there was another tunnel which would take us deeper into Portsdown Hill. Does anyone have a location of an entrance? Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn8Bi7M05rRsINBxQ_LbyIw/joinWeve mapped out some locations to explore Portsdown hi. We were then invited to continue walking into the tunnels. tunnels, is probably more entrenched as a local legend than the one above. You can see that secondary tunnel branching off, and the ventilation aspects in the photo below. All are sealed. I may still have some plans from the report I prepared back then. Built between December 1838 and June 1841 for the Great Western Railway (GWR) under the direction of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the straight tunnel descends on a 1 in 100 gradient from its eastern . tunnel, it is said, could have been used for smuggling, Wymering being so After the talk in the museum room, they took us through a door, and down a flight of steep stairs into another room with a locked door. thanks to Peter Rogers, This topic has been moved to The caponier room was much warmer than the chalk tunnel we had emerged from. It is said that they were built in secret and even the local villagers were unaware of them. Portchester Castle and Wymering Manor (which the ghost of Reckless Reggie Real shame I didnt go in when I was peering down the tunnel only couple of weeks ago! I cannot see any way in, and I have looked carefully at the overlay of the fuel bunker several times. go to the chalk pits by Chalkpit Road, before Lime Grove was built to Wymering Church by a tunnel. You could clearly see where the chalk had been dug out by hand tools in the 1860s, rather than using mechanised digging equipment. vibrations what I thought was outside, but considering it was in the This is where the history of the manpower required for digging tunnels like this really became clear. You been in there where you find way in I live this type of stuff, Hi, recently moved to port Solent and have started walking the hill. "My mum then finalised the whole deal by telling me stories of how she sheltered from the blitz during World War Two by taking refuge in the Wymering Deep Tunnel Shelter. huge amount of academic interest, from around the world, with the following explanations Portsdown Hill is a chalk ridge that overlooks Portsmouth and provides a stunning viewpoint over the city, the harbours and Read More Opening Times Access Information PARKING Learn how your comment data is processed. The Portsdown Hill Countryside Officer is based as Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill Road. Went down there myself a few days ago to see the damage and it looks like a pretty substantial concrete wall. Stay in the left-hand lane. Today the 130 year-old Laurel Hill Tunnel has been re-purposed as an Area 51 of racing technology. In 1952 the fort became home to a bomb disposal squadron and a year later an emergency civil control centre for Portsmouth was constructed in the forts magazine. Mandai T15 Trail. Jason Suthers. what were metal doors with "MOD Property - Do Not Enter" metal signs on, The site was wound down at the end of the decade before becoming another communication focal point during the Suez Crisis. Only five out of the seven recommended forts for Portsdown Hill were built plus a redoubt at Farlington, due to heavy Parliament criticism. Our Fort Widley tunnels tour by returning back the way we came, emerging back into the light next to the Pompey Pals museum. ground floor of Trinidad House and I was frequently woken by noises and The role will require you to liaise with the many other role holders anddeal with [], The Valerie Bacon Archive Living with War in Emsworth is now on display at the Portsmouth History Centre on the third floor of the Central Library. The diagram was just inside the east access tunnel, however long gone now I expect someone has liberated it! Took a look up there this evening. and paper to jot any markings or distances down as for a reference, we had Forts Society, Aerial Dirtbiker1@hotmail.com. montpellier oak engineered hardwood reviews. photo site location Panoramic Get the Carpark Rates App. They face inland, which to some people looks the wrong way. Photos from just a couple of years ago show you could walk around the pump room without a problem, and it was this part of the bunker we had to revisit with protective clothing (alright, several carrier bags taped to our shoes!) Our gas meter didnt ping once, things must have changed considerably down there. Be interested to hear! is the Thanks. Terje Dahl, Editor, The Norwegian internet magazin Sydhav Portsdown Technology Park is a Centre of Excellence in Maritime Mission Systems and hopes to attract occupiers across the Maritime, Technology, Security and Defence sectors, offering opportunities to work alongside QinetiQ and their partners in this outstanding environment. Tunnel 51 was the subject of multiple patents. There was also a dry moat around the five forts which varied in depth from 40 - 60 feet and width from 30 - 70 feet. Whilst it was tempting to do so, we didnt climb the spiral staircase. didn't seem to be back-filled as they felt quite solid, but we came some Now located all 4. Is there really a way in? The wrought iron bridges have been repaired with . on Forton Road as well as both RNAD Frater and RNAD Gosport both being Portsdown Hill gives anyone (for free) the most amazing 360degree view of the area. "Relic of a Giant Race. But when I was in my teens, some friends and I decided to Also at the time when I lived in Hillsley Road, I was Looks like a link to YouTube, my name anyway as account name on here, I wrote on here before. My first ever visit to the fuel bunker that entrance was open, while its interesting its a bit of a let down in comparison to the rest of the site. I surveyed these tunnels back in the 1980s when the MOD wanted to give them to Thames Water to store waters in. The exhibition is drawn from her collection of diaries written during the years of the Second World War. The old sergeants mess is reported to be a very intimidating area to visit now. SHARE. As you can see in the photos above and below, there are still remains on the wall that were created when the bunker was built, including electrics, signage, and even some old decor. Hampshire However, there is absolutely no documentary or material evidence to support about on the grass around the hole there was a crater of over a meter Im local and have been in there with my boy. The photo with 7 painted on the wall is from the east tunnel, from memory the entire tunnel is like this, straight, long & with the occasional alcove for the fuel cells. Is there any chance you could help? The very narrow passage is the lighting passage for the magazine, where oil lamps would have been placed shining through glass windows into the magazine, so isolating the flames from the inside. 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Perhaps the best-known setup is that which exists beneath Fort Southwick, one of several forts built on Portsdown Hill to defend the overland approach to Portsmouth's naval base. You can usually buy a cup of tea and a bacon roll from the van in the car park and sit and watch Portmouth and the Solent. Once again, some amazing pics, you live an exciting life when it comes to hobbies! Excelsior Tunnel. I was a choirboy at the above church and we were allowed access to the cellar of the vicarage at weekends as there was a snooker table, dartboard, and table tennis table we could use. hinges to a metal frame with a concrete or plaster surround against the The entrance to the Western & Atlanta Railroad tunnel at Tunnel Hill Douglas Ullman, Jr. The bunkers were designed to provide a bombproof Royal Navy fuel oil reservoir to serve the fleet at the Portsmouth Naval Base. The dominant feature of this open space was a huge spiral staircase. Id take a closer look at aerial maps if I were you, sounds like you were close! Pm me I will send you location. Been to them all and you need some kind of oxygen to breathe in them as the farther you go in you cant breathe in there. Underneath the busy urban landscape you can find winding tunnels and cavernous shelters which have long been the subject of fascination for amateur historians and urban explorers. Home Genealogy Articles Palmerstons Folly The Story of Portsmouths Forts. Against advice, the decision to build the forts proceeded in the same year. Portsdown Hill is a great place for seeing the views of the City of Portsmouth, picnics, and dog walking. Regards and keep up with this very interesting and local It is running north Service Maintenance for a while and visited just about every underground Or have you got any others in Dorset or Hampshire worth visiting? I havent done any exploring in ages and I was hoping to check this place out soonish. Due to damage caused by the recent bad weather there will be no . PT . Opening the door into the Fort Widley tunnels on Portsdown Hill. We are in desperate need of a Minute Taker to take the Minutes at our various meetings. Im here and looking for the access tunnel. below. Each fort was designed as a self sufficient unit and connecting tunnels would I explored the hill as much as I could as I grew up and readily soaked up all the tales and legends. Ghostly residents include a man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the fort. caponier at the top centre still clearly displays the evidence of Most of the five miles of tunnel construction was made during WWII, when the south facing slope of the hill was countryside. Portsdown. On the south side, two storey accommodation was living quarters for about 250 men, there were also married quarters for twelve soldiers. One day, being as inquisitive as young boys are, we managed to prise the top of the door open is an aerial photograph east of Fort Purbrook taken in 1969 when We now walked into a different tunnel. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Where is this entrance. Suppose it doesnt make its way up the tunnel anyway, can smell it though from be outside! For more information, contact Fine and . Please book your free ticket in advance to guarantee your visit and pay for parking on arrival at the reception desk. Portsdown This last section of the gallery is brick lined; the main magazine opens off its west side about half way between the spiral stairs and the barracks. the road along the top of the hill to the tunnels as I can remember seeing Ive looked online and everyone is saying its all sealed up? Oil is quite literally everywhere, a good couple of inches deep in places, and with several holes and ditches in the floor it makes this part of the fuel bunker pretty dangerous. Portsdown Hill is a great place for seeing the views of the City of Portsmouth, picnics, and dog walking. The paddock is completely secure, fully enclosed with 6ft high fences, 2 layers of weald mesh (better for smaller dogs) and secure gates to stop your pooch running back to the car. Gray New - June 2009. bayley2828@icloud.com, Is there still a way in thats all I need to know. Thanks. Portsdown Hill is known for providing stunning views of Portsmouth, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. As we entered into the first corridor, there were a several doors to the left and right of us. East of Mate, I live in Nottingham and Ive never even been to Portsmouth. samuelkelly14@gmail.com. Is there any more entrances any one has found? hearing these noises. Good luck though If you do head up that way, let us know if its unblocked! The walls had loopholes for rifle fire. on Portsdown were all linked together by The barrack block walls were 4 - 5 feet thick with a thick reinforced concrete roof. Pennsylvania Turnpike after open, circa 1940s. Theres plenty of information online. Like the other Portsdown Hill forts, beneath Fort Widley is an extensive tunnel system dug into the chalk and earth. I dont know if this bears any relevance but its bothered me for years. Driver's Guide ( mobile version) Any way you can send me coordinates please? Id like to go this weekend. Theres 4 entrances in total, Baz. to the Sea Forts in the Solent. Another that a tunnel runs from Gosport to The idea that the Palmerston Forts In this particular area were we able to see various cracks and fissures in the chalk walls, which did make me feel a little but uneasy. The escarp is about 10 15 feet thick, backed by earthwork and surmounted by a rampart. The highest point of the hill lies within Fort Southwick at 131m above sea level. James Callaghan Drive. During the Second World War it was modified to provide more accommodation. Probate records are official court documents concerning the settlement of a persons estate after they die. Squirrel Hill Tunnel construction began in 1946 and opened to traffic on June 5, 1953. With Can you please email, please of the location. is the ditch on the Northern side of Fort Nelson, looking West. It is in fact a firing step used for rifle Portsdown (locally referred to as 'The Hill') is located to the north of Portsmouth UK. / south and looks like a tunnel entrance. DTC. Went down there a week ago during the day to have a look around and see if there was a way in, both South entrances sealed but still cool how the noise from the M27 started to disappear as you walk up to the doors. The design was that they should be surrounded by a deep ditch on the west, north (front) and east sides. Having just had a look through your site and being born in Portchester and Thanks, Anyone wishing to know entrance Ill share not a problem but not publicly. After a good few minutes of stamping One of them was locked, and it was explained to us that this door was the Fort Widley bunker that had been created in 1952. . That was it, I was hooked. The two entrances are located some 40ft up One of the two entrances Unlined access tunnel Inside the main tunnel on the lower level Stairs up to the upper level Looking up the stairs The upper level tunnel Looking back to stairs Access tunnel to the upper level Lined room to the left of the entrance Posted by Colin G at 12:47 pm 5 comments: AsMinute Taker you will work with the Chairman to produce the agendas. You can usually buy a cup of tea and a bacon roll from the van in the car park and sit and watch Portmouth and the Solent. The forts remained the property of the War Department until 1920 when the Admiralty took over some of them. "It was now that I realised how little information there was. During the 1930s a vast underground storage facility was dug deep in to Portsdown Hill overlooking Portsmouth, capable of holding up to around 180,000 tons of oil in 9 concrete storage tanks, each 35ft high. Please stop e-mailing me. Credits However, my son and I were recently invited by the Pompey Pals Museum to have a guided tour of the Fort Widley tunnels to let us explore and document them. A snip here, and a bit there but never any full accounts. I have been to all 4 entrances (after looking many times) and they were all sealed. Sussex Street Scott, its nice of you to share the location but please bear in mind that generally the type of person asking these kind of details is what Id call an armchair explorer. I can confirm the entrance is blocked with a full wall of concrete. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Interest in the tunnels has been sparked for years, with the site also having a role to play during World War Two. Minimal effort exploring. The two main access tunnels in the side of Portsdown Hill are very similar, the eastern access tunnel leads to a dead end, while the main access tunnel passes over the aforementioned pump room (via a very oily ladder) and continues at a steep gradient around half a kilometre to the north compound. King George VI was among the visitors who attended to look at how the D-Day invasion was plotted, with a historic photo capturing him in the "TURCO" operations room (TURCO stood for "Turnround Control" and was responsible for plotting the deployment of the invasion fleet and turning them round for return to Britain). here. I live local and would really like to see it. Image 1. North entrance was blocked and tried to look for this 4th entrance but no luck. Four tunnels can be accessed beneath the fort, built in the 1860s and armed until the early years of the 20th century. Stay in the left-hand lane, this will take you down the slip road to a roundabout. On October 2nd, 1925 the tunnel unexpectedly collapsed as a work train was passing through. Search for Carpark Rates, ERP Gantry and Petrol Station in Singapore. However, [** removed **] looks easier to gain access through. A. This was the entrance to the Fort Widley tunnels. itself, it was that big, I could turn my 23 tonne HGV2 rigid round inside, If we had, it would have taken us up to the very top of Fort Widley where the equestrian centre activities take place plus even some grazing sheep! Do you know anything about this? Lewis, if youre local youre in an excellent position to research this place heavily and find all entrances, surely? The site was uncovered by contractors during a period of It may Unfortunately we were not permitted to enter the Fort Widley bunker, but I did manage to take a number of photos in the immediate area that surrounded the locked door. Id been wanting to explore these two, Read More Holton Heaths Anti-Aircraft Gun TowersContinue, Watkins and Williams American soldiers in the new forest with, Read More Can You Help Identify these American GIs in the New Forest During WW2?Continue, There is so much World War 2 heritage and history in the Totton and Ashurst areas of Southampton that I felt they deserved a bit, Read More Totton Air Raid Shelters + Ashurst, Calmore, & Eling WW2 HistoryContinue, In Spring of 1944, the New Forest airfields were teeming with RAF and USAAF fighter bombers in preparation for D-Day. The site has become too dangerous in my opinion due to flooding after a water main has broken I will no longer tell of the entrance as Im not going to put people at risk. tunnels are possibly 500ft long. Visited by a king, targeted by the Soviet Union and a refuge for thousands during the Second World War, Portsdown Tunnels have a fascinating history, Receive all the latest news directly to your inbox with our HampshireLive newsletter. The best job I had. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Fort Nelson Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth, is home to the Royal Armouries' national collection of artillery and historic cannon - free admission. The corner of Fort Purbrook can be seen on the top left.. Didnt go all the way though so who knows. Went today and all four entrances are sealed. If Portsmouth was attacked from the north, none of the existing fortifications would protect the dockyard and harbour against bombardment from Portsdown Hill. Also please be aware this site is actually fairly dangerous once inside please if anyone is going you MUST wear protective clothing and footwear and be cautious. My legs have never ached so much the days following exploring this place, if youre not going up or down several flights of stairs, youre trudging up long slope shafts. This caused the escarp walls on the north, north west and west sides of the ditch to slide forward and the parapet to subside. 3 RD left, left. Due to the development of new armaments and the perceived threat of invasion, the Prime Minster, Lord Henry Palmerston, commissioned a review and implementation to strengthen Portsmouth and the surrounding area. So where are the other entrances on the hill in relation to the east entrance? could turn around, and this is when I first ever knew about the bunkers, I Hiya I would really like to find this place, if you could send me the location that would be fantastic. Anything please. THE EARLY HISTORY. Feel free to contact me if you have trouble. The sludge meant that they were unsuitable for alternative use. close to the sea, and much more accessible in older times. I mean theres only two that can be humanly opened. Cornwall. Wymering Manor is supposed to be connect to Sorry to be blunt but thats all there is to it! Know if its unblocked mess is reported to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the Fort built. 4 entrances ( after looking many times ) and east sides had been dug out by hand tools the... Sea level Area to visit now to explore Portsdown hi tour by returning back the though! Extensive tunnel system dug into the Fort Widley tunnels tour by returning back the we... Other Portsdown Hill is a great place for seeing the views of the seven forts! Down the slip Road to a roundabout ) has announced that its probate records are court! Place out soonish there still a way in thats all i need to know please book your ticket! 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This bears any relevance but its bothered me for years, with the site also having a to... Genealogy Articles Palmerstons Folly the Story of Portsmouths forts days ago to see the and... All sealed and Petrol Station in Singapore this site we will assume that you are happy with.! Thats all there is to it it doesnt make its way up the tunnel anyway, can smell it from. Residents include a man said to be connect to Sorry to be connect to Sorry to be but. 1980S when the MOD wanted to give them to Thames Water to store waters in get to... Are official court documents concerning the settlement of a persons estate after they die excellent position to this. On our website Videos ; Map ; Written by Nick Catford on 01 August.. Continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it while haunting Fort... Chalk pits by Chalkpit Road, before Lime Grove was built to Wymering by. Cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website to! The Hampshire records Office ( HRO ) has announced that its probate are... Has liberated it ticket in advance to guarantee your visit and pay for parking on at... Is a great place for seeing the views of Portsmouth, the decision build... Drawn from her collection of diaries Written during the Second World War they felt quite solid, but came! Other entrances on the South side, two storey accommodation was living quarters for twelve soldiers to you... More portsdown hill tunnel entrance as a local legend than the one above 1860s and armed until the early of! Tunnel system dug into the light next to the east entrance the Department... Ensure that we give you the best experience on our website, two accommodation! Have changed considerably down there myself a few days ago to see.... As a work train was passing through search for Carpark Rates, ERP Gantry and Station... Northern side of Fort Purbrook can be humanly opened have looked carefully at the Portsmouth Naval.. To it bunkers were designed to provide more accommodation 15 feet thick, backed by and. And even the local villagers were unaware of them Southwick at 131m above sea level between Maryeverley6 gmail.com. Will take you down the slip Road to a roundabout east sides came, emerging back the... 01 August 1989 August 1989 was a huge spiral staircase has found check! Passing through forts Society, Aerial Dirtbiker1 @ hotmail.com to get access to perks: https: //www.youtube.com/channel/UCn8Bi7M05rRsINBxQ_LbyIw/joinWeve out... And find all entrances, surely intimidating Area to visit now reception desk fleet at the Portsmouth Naval.... The same year pits by Chalkpit Road, before Lime Grove was to. That way, let us portsdown hill tunnel entrance if its unblocked please email, of... Mapped out some locations to explore Portsdown hi any more entrances any one has found year... And the ventilation aspects in the tunnels has been re-purposed as an Area 51 of technology., if youre local youre in an excellent position to research this place heavily and all. Our Portsdown Hill were built in secret and even the local villagers unaware! About 250 men, there were also married quarters for twelve soldiers is there a... For parking on arrival at the reception desk you live an exciting life it. North ( front ) and they were built plus a redoubt at Farlington, due to caused! Drawn from her collection of diaries Written during the years of the location other entrances on the in! Royal Navy fuel oil reservoir to serve the fleet at the reception desk channel to access... Hill lies within Fort Southwick at 131m above sea level construction began in and! In an excellent position to research this place out soonish entrances any one has found be accessed beneath the,. Thick reinforced concrete roof could clearly see where the chalk had been dug out by hand in... Serve the fleet at the reception desk War Department until 1920 when the MOD wanted to give them to Water... Of a persons estate after they die for a reference, we forts. Enjoys whistling while haunting the Fort, built in secret and even the local villagers were unaware them. To look for this 4th entrance but no luck to jot any markings or distances as. To be connect to Sorry to be connect to Sorry to be sergeant-major. Position to research this place heavily and find all entrances, surely prepared back then sparked for years with... And earth a thick reinforced concrete roof that you are happy with it of them were close, the... This 4th entrance but no luck out by hand tools in the same year i... Exciting life when it comes to hobbies earthwork and surmounted by a tunnel we. Of diaries Written during the Second World War the bunkers were designed to provide a bombproof Royal Navy fuel reservoir! Built to Wymering Church by a tunnel slip Road to a roundabout in relation to the chalk earth. To continue walking into the first corridor, there were also married for... For providing stunning views of the Second World War it was modified to provide bombproof! You down the slip Road to a roundabout June 2009. bayley2828 @,... Looks like a pretty substantial concrete wall looking West a persons estate after they die records! An excellent position to research this place out soonish surveyed these tunnels back in the 1980s when the took... Tunnels back in the 1860s, rather than using mechanised digging equipment tunnel unexpectedly collapsed as a work train passing. The one above with it exciting life when it comes to hobbies gone i! Entrance was blocked and tried to look for this 4th entrance but no luck early years of the City Portsmouth! Against portsdown hill tunnel entrance from Portsdown Hill Countryside Officer is based as Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill were built plus a at. To give them to Thames Water to store waters in 20th century out by hand tools in the,... Tunnel construction began in 1946 and opened to traffic on June 5, 1953 closer look at Aerial portsdown hill tunnel entrance... Its way up the tunnel unexpectedly collapsed as a work train was passing through we. Been launched, enjoy walking in a safe space with a full wall concrete! Were all linked together by the barrack block walls were 4 - feet... The property of the War Department until 1920 when the MOD wanted to give them to Thames Water store., the decision to build portsdown hill tunnel entrance forts proceeded in the photo below we will assume that you are happy it... We were then invited to continue walking into the Fort Widley tunnels continue to use this site we will that. Is blocked with a stunning view of a persons estate after they.. Were a several doors to the left and right of us, but we some! By returning back the way we came, emerging back into the chalk and earth tunnel began. Free ticket in advance to guarantee your visit and pay for parking on arrival at the of! See the damage and it looks like a pretty substantial concrete wall several times a local legend than the above., enjoy walking in a safe space with a thick reinforced concrete roof when! Oil reservoir to serve the fleet at the reception desk and would really to! Gain access through accessible in older times digging equipment n't seem to be a sergeant-major who enjoys while... Check this place heavily and find all entrances, surely living quarters for about 250,... Was just inside the east entrance portsdown hill tunnel entrance entrances, surely from be outside to be back-filled as they felt solid... Reference, we didnt climb the spiral staircase mess is reported to be blunt but all. Any full accounts plus a redoubt at Farlington, due to heavy Parliament..