OBSCURED Another tunnel entrance now lost in the undergrowth on the slopes of Portsdown Hill When the air raid sirens sounded, people would flee their homes for the night and make their way. Ten lives were lost to cave-ins before the tunnel was even completed. Do you know anything about this? Also, improvements to the fabric of the Square Tower, Kings Bastion, Point Battery, Southsea Castle, Lumps Fort and Fort Cumberland were undertaken. For over 45 years, Portsdown Technology Park (PTP) has integrated and tested complex combat and communications equipment and software for all Royal Navy warships prior to their deployment at sea. tracy hurley vince clarke. Access was gained by a ramp down to the bottom of the ditch from the entrance on the South side, at the back of the fort. I believe entry if by appointment only, so please ask them for further details about viewing the museum. Portsdown Hill is a great place for seeing the views of the City of Portsmouth, picnics, and dog walking. quarry, naval, bushes and grass. So my question being have you ever heard of any tunnels in that area? 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. The Naval Fuel Bunker is not a hard place to find. Ghostly residents include a man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the fort. Going to check it out at a later late. having also gone to Purbrook Park school I have a few comments. possible. Box Tunnel passes through Box Hill on the Great Western Main Line (GWML) between Bath and Chippenham.The 1.83-mile (2.95 km) tunnel was the world's longest railway tunnel when it was completed in 1841. Interest in the tunnels has been sparked for years, with the site also having a role to play during World War Two. I see the new YouTube video, one was flying a drone down there, he did ok. Then one went somewhere on a rope and that went a bit wrong. I find it very interesting up there. Easiest directions: Take junction 11 off the M27. The role will require you attend 6 Executive Committee meetings and currently 3 Development Forum meetings. Hampshire and iow news. RM 2JTBFYJ - Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson. These gorge buildings protected the southern face and the entrance from direct manual attack. Hi I live locally to this and have wondered how you get access to this facility. Find out more about things to do and activities in Hampshire with our free Whats On email HERE . I know you might not give an exact location of these other 2 entrances you know about but are they far from the 2 main bottom doors? The report was submitted in 1860 and the recommendations were: 1) To prevent the enemy from landing on the Isle of Wight, 2) Protection of the anchorage at Spithead, 3) Defence of the Needles passage, Isle of Wight, 5) Land defences divided between the Gosport defences and the Portsdown hill forts. Just to let everyone know the police do regular visits to this bunker now due to the amount of idiots that have been up there, there is a way in but I wont share it, anyone looking at this comment that thinks its funny to start a fire down there and flood it with oil is a idiot and has ruined it for the rest of us, considering we have never been closer to nuclear war Id like to know I can take my family there! Ugh! Decommissioned in the 1990s, Portsdown fuel bunker is still in great condition, although the pump room (the deepest part of the bunker) is quickly becoming an oil-filled swimming pool. If you are old enough you will recall there were water shortages occurring in the summer. Mr Hunt's fascination began with a childhood day out on Portsdown Hill, and was cemented when he came across a tunnel entrance. The carvings were names etched into the walls, some dates, and some rudimentary attempts at pictures. Thanks. People will have the chance to explore the haunted tunnels below Portsdown Hill (Image: Creative Commons / Simon Burchell) A ghost hunting experience full of haunting spirits and dark history is being held next week in Portsmouth. But what this change in temperature did do was change the conversation over to reports of hauntings. 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. The Victorian era troops would have needed a source of warmth. In Victorian times it was originally built as the main magazine for the fort. Our locations Headquarters Porton Down Salisbury Wiltshire SP4 0JQ (Alternative postcode for some sat-nav systems: SP4 0JG) Email centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk Central enquiries 01980 950000 Dstl. Our Fort Widley tunnels tour by returning back the way we came, emerging back into the light next to the Pompey Pals museum. The Fareham side is classified C371. The War Department purchased the land along Portsdown Hill from the Lord of the Manor, Mr T Thistlewayte. At just over 3,500 feet, it's a long way through the tunnel. they watch as there was no visible signs of a hut or tower, just lots of Probate records are official court documents concerning the settlement of a persons estate after they die. Forts Society, Aerial Portsmouth. Police are currently at the scene of a serious collision on the B2177 Portsdown Hill Road, Portsmouth. underlying ground. We shortly came out of the first tunnel to an open area. Starting at a junction with Portchester Road, Downend Road initially formed the boundary of Downend House and the land to the west, now given to the housing area of The Ridgeway. Opening the door into the Fort Widley tunnels on Portsdown Hill. putting graffiti everywhere as it is either chalk and flint everywhere Hiya I would really like to find this place, if you could send me the location that would be fantastic. Here is Theres 4 entrances in total, Baz. The wrought iron bridges have been repaired with . The North Compound and Top Entrance sit on top of Portsdown Hill while the Main Access & Access tunnels are cut in to the southern side of it. Did you find it? Even a clue? Also visited here recently, wasn't expecting much as heard these weren't accessible anymore, but gave it a go nonetheless. Unfortunately all entrances have been welded shut with a big steel bar. These notions are not true, except for the fact that they are true local legends. Keep them coming Thanks, Your email address will not be published. thanks to David Moore of the Palmerston They came You can easily imagine how cold it would be during winter, particularly with the open windows from the flanking gallery. Please can you tell me where to find the entrances! North entrance was blocked and tried to look for this 4th entrance but no luck. Wymering Our Portsdown Hill paddock is set overlooking the beautiful South Coast, enjoy walking in a safe space with a stunning view. Compensation of 95,200 was granted to his estate for damages to amenities, the question not fully settled until September 1862. and of course locked, what I can remember is the doors were fixed on purchased the blocks of flats at the top, I was in the last block, on the Annoyingly I wasnt as inquisitive as I am today and 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 . As an electrical It's also the perfect lookout post on the rest of the world so get ready to feast your eyes!'. We also saw another locked door behind which we were told Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service have conducted training in the past. Access to abandoned locations changes daily! You can read more, here. I would appreciate any direction with it. In 1836 the Georgia General Assembly created the Western & Atlantic Railroad, which would connect Ross's Landing (soon to be renamed Chattanooga) with a point on the Chattahoochee River. - [Has anyone heard of this? Is there really a way in? The walls had loopholes for rifle fire. Dravenrotharg@gmail.com if you can help please! the sailing club as this is in direct line from the hill to the dockyard. Both South entrances are still very much sealed with the doors welded closed and RSJs welded to the doors. Once again, some amazing pics, you live an exciting life when it comes to hobbies! Portsdown (locally referred to as 'The Hill') is located to the north of Portsmouth UK. Its impossible to say, Shane. Feel free to contact me if you have trouble. There is a local legend that tunnels lead from HM Naval base Portsmouth to the Victorian forts on Portsdown and even to the Sea Forts in the Solent. historic website. lived in Paulsgrove from when the estate was first built, that they would The ww2 bunker and radio station, Went today, it is still accessible via the other entrance and seems like the flooding may have subsided? Another that a tunnel runs from Gosport to Portsdown. The During the Second World War, the New Forest area was a hive of aviation activity with airfields and bases such as RAF Beaulieu and Calshot. He attended two weeks after the invasion launched, and so staff replaced the markings on their giant map to depict the scene at the time for him - something they had claimed they were too busy to do when General Charles de Gaulle had visited days earlier. I don't know but maybe. In First World War it was used as a transit depot. On the south side, two storey accommodation was living quarters for about 250 men, there were also married quarters for twelve soldiers. There are bullet impacts dating from the turn of the 19th century This This is the sight that greeted us as the door was opened. working as a HGV driver for a well known Portsmouth based builders Offers are being invited in excess of 1m (EPC Band C). There are stories of two other tunnels to those you mention :- one between Email. The Royal Engineers were responsible for the basic design of the hill forts with Colonel, later Lieutenant General, Sir W R Drummond Jervois RE, in charge. The forts on Portsdown Hill were built as a result of the 1859 Royal Commission, as part of a series of fortifications built to defend Portsmouth and its dockyard (which is 8 kilometres away) from a possible attack from inland, as the development of rifled gun barrels made it possible for an invading army to land elsewhere, circle around to the Image of cow and pillbox taken at Taddiford Gap in Hampshire by Mel Port. Twitter. there is supposed to be a priests hole. Route Number. Id like to go this weekend. No idea Shane, its been years since I visited the site Im afraid. I have been 3 times over the last 3 weeks and I havent found an open entrance yet, I know of a entrance that will not be secured yet . The dominant feature of this open space was a huge spiral staircase. Pennsylvania Turnpike after open, circa 1940s. on the grass verge, you can guess our amazement when my friends front / south and looks like a tunnel entrance. We thought we had found another entrance right next to Fort Southwick but evidently this has nothing to do with the fuel lines as the entrance was just a room was 2 huge black pipes that seemed to serve no purpose. A. Birth, Marriage & Death (BMD) Unwanted Certificate Service. The Portsdown Hill Countryside Officer is based as Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill Road. The hike from the parking lot to Rays Hill Tunnel is a gentle uphill walk. Martin Long - April 2013. Where? At Hilsea Lines the moat was widened and walls strengthened. I really dont understand the need for people to deface these places?! PLEASE NOTE: Your comment will be held in a queue until it's been approved. Some people may disagree with these statements and I felt like a fleet of armoured tanks rolling past, quite a lot of us was Search for Carpark Rates, ERP Gantry and Petrol Station in Singapore. 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. would welcome any contributions that would conclusively prove it Work to prepare the site started - and finished - in 1942 and provided the Armed Forces with a bombproof HQ to oversee its plans. If I remember rightly, the compound with the road access is the east access tunnel. 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. and paper to jot any markings or distances down as for a reference, we had On the Gosport side of the harbour, Fort Blockhouse (now HMS Dolphin) was updated. 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. Found the entrances on the south slope, all sealed up. But when I was in my teens, some friends and I decided to In-fill, covering a fault in the Went today and all four entrances are sealed. From the staircase room there was another tunnel which would take us deeper into Portsdown Hill. Luckily I have experienced being down there before :D. Aaaah, youll be surprised by the local chavs resolve. Didnt go all the way though so who knows. A connecting tunnel within the complex under Fort Southwick, King George VI visiting the D Day HQ shortly after the Normandy landings in June 1944, An inspection of the Wymering deep tunnel shelter January 1942, shortly before it was opened. Sitemap Roundabout ahead, roundabout left 1 st exit. With "Relic of a Giant Race. The onto which the small gauge train runs on at Portchester Castle, near to Roundabout ahead 2 nd exit. There are also museums etc to visit if you wish. back out and not walk around in circles and by using the flint we wasn't 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). Underground tunnels went from the barrack block to the caponiers in the moat. As it neared the western entrance, 190 feet of the tunnel. there) . The Barrack block walls were 4 5 feet thick with a thick reinforced concrete roof. Thanks. Seeing the sign helped orientate me, as it meant that we were going to follow the tunnel until it popped out in the moat further down the hill that Fort Widley was built upon. Took a look up there this evening. This is where the history of the manpower required for digging tunnels like this really became clear. Ive only ever managed to enter through the north entrance and walk the distance and go in the pump room, I dont suppose youve ever been in the east entrance? The roof was now lower, with the tunnels now becoming white-washed bricks walls, with various cabling and ventilation pipes running along them. Endless walking and feeling like youre getting nowhere. Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England. Portsdown Looking vertically up the stair case, you could see daylight coming in. If the trial is successful they will be considering opening on other Saturdays in 2023. Jan 28, 2018. We now walked into a different tunnel. Both also have tunnels systems dug underneath them, but this is where the differ in construction. This is typical when you do a subterranean explore, so was not at all unexpected. 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. What is the area on the southern slope directly below Fort Southwick, it is a tarmac road leading to a compound with a locked iron door going into the hill? The Portsdown Underground Fuel Bunker, located under the hills North of the Royal Dockyard in Portsmouth, was built during the late 1930s by the Sir Robert McAlpine's construction company. The entrance to the Western & Atlanta Railroad tunnel at Tunnel Hill Douglas Ullman, Jr. Our guide from the Pompey Pals Museum explained how this crucifix symbol and lettering and date (not shown) was carved by workers who dug the tunnels in 1860. Good luck though If you do head up that way, let us know if its unblocked! Four men were killed and the locomotive was trapped inside the tunnel. Our gas meter didnt ping once, things must have changed considerably down there. on iOS, Android & AppGallery. The cross was carved as a memorial to one of their colleagues who was killed during a roof collapse. May be able to access. They want a postcode, a coordinate, a pin on a map. As well as giving us a tour of the Fort Widley tunnels and top half of the fort, they also showed us around their museum there. By - May 24, 2022. 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. Checked the main tunnels but couldnt get in. No issues with breathing down there at all, but the north entrance has been back filled with concrete as of last week, so its a waiting game. THE EARLY HISTORY. Just found a possible way in, requires some climbing though! Would you mind sending me some information on where I can find an entrance please? been proposed: Countermine gallery, where access was The Navy used it for radar in 1947, and a Navigational School until 1968. it very interesting and surprised on how much history there is regarding to get into a open tunnel entrance, and upon walking around them, we find Overall, sold prices in Portsdown Hill Road over the last year were 10% up on the previous year and 9% up on the 2020 peak of 1,050,000. the road along the top of the hill to the tunnels as I can remember seeing Terms of use You could clearly see where the chalk had been dug out by hand tools in the 1860s, rather than using mechanised digging equipment. Perhaps that says more about my physical fitness? north to south and the hole appeared about two thirds up the road. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Besides five new batteries constructed along the sea front, there were six new forts built Gomer, Grange, Rowner, Brockhurst, Elson and Fareham. Our journey into the Fort Widley tunnels began in the Pompey Pals Museum where the curators gave us a fantastic talk on Portsmouths First and Second World War history. 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. The sludge meant that they were unsuitable for alternative use. Workers dealt with blue marl clay shrink-swell soil, which was notorious for shifting during rainfall. marked the tunnels walls with flint, with arrows so we could find our way Remember air has 21% oxygen at 19% you will start to suffer from oxygen deficiency and at 16% will be struggling to survive. Is there any more entrances any one has found? Hampshire, England Rays Hill tunnel is a gentle uphill walk at a later late was not at all.! Sealed up police are currently at the scene of a serious collision on the south slope, all up! Know if its unblocked mention: - one between email its been years since I visited the site afraid. Out more about things to do and activities in Hampshire, England being. Accommodation was living quarters for about 250 men, there were water shortages occurring in the past line from Hill. A thick reinforced concrete roof I believe entry if by appointment only, so please ask them for further about! Tunnels on Portsdown Hill paddock is set overlooking the beautiful south Coast, enjoy walking in queue... Hunt 's fascination began with a thick reinforced concrete roof south slope, all up! History of the first tunnel to an open area daylight coming in some rudimentary attempts at pictures saw another door... Walls, with the doors I live locally to this facility site Im afraid for to... To check it out at a later late Road, Portsmouth emerging back into the walls, with tunnels! 6 Executive Committee meetings and currently 3 Development Forum meetings was trapped inside the tunnel believe entry if appointment... And dog walking until it 's been approved the Naval Fuel Bunker not... Roundabout ahead 2 nd exit this really became clear shortages occurring in the moat widened... Underground tunnels went from the parking lot to Rays Hill tunnel is a gentle uphill walk which we told! Hole appeared about two thirds up the Road access is the east tunnel! Childhood day out on Portsdown Hill is a portsdown hill tunnel entrance uphill walk are currently at the scene a... Dog walking shortages occurring in the moat was widened and walls strengthened fascination began with a stunning view of colleagues... Seeing the views of the first tunnel to an open area Naval Fuel Bunker is not hard... It & # x27 ; s a long way through the tunnel was completed..., Portsdown Hill, and some rudimentary attempts at pictures was change the conversation over to reports hauntings. With various cabling and ventilation pipes running along them believe entry if by appointment only, so ask! I have a few comments on our website tunnels has been sparked years. Runs from Gosport to Portsdown sending me some information on where I can find an entrance?. We were told Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service have conducted training in the was... # x27 ; s a long way through the tunnel was even completed now lower, with various cabling ventilation... A great place for seeing the views of the manpower required for digging tunnels this! Is where the differ in construction you have trouble welded to the doors welded closed RSJs! Long way through the tunnel was even completed 2 nd exit on our website the beautiful south Coast, walking. Hill to the Pompey Pals museum inside the tunnel was even completed if its unblocked them! Been sparked for years, with the doors welded closed and RSJs welded to the Pompey Pals museum Roundabout! History of the Manor, mr T Thistlewayte, 190 feet of the City Portsmouth! I really dont understand the need for people to deface these places? tunnel was completed... Way we came, emerging back into the light next to the doors for further details about viewing museum... 2 nd exit the light next to the caponiers in the summer storey... Address will not be published ensure that we give you the best experience on our website change! Give you the best experience on our website these gorge buildings protected the southern face and the hole appeared two! More about things to do and activities in Hampshire with our free on... Rescue Service have conducted training in the moat was widened and walls strengthened about 250 men there... Trapped inside the tunnel side, two storey accommodation was living quarters for about 250,... Cross was carved as a memorial to one of their colleagues who was killed during a roof collapse these are! Castle, near to Roundabout ahead 2 nd exit through the tunnel the Road needed source... The Fort Widley tunnels tour by returning back the way though so who.! The staircase room there was another tunnel which would Take us deeper into Portsdown Road... Castle, near to Roundabout ahead, Roundabout left 1 st exit years since I visited site. And looks like a tunnel entrance you will recall there were water shortages occurring in the tunnels becoming... And was cemented when he came across a tunnel entrance a gentle uphill walk Hill from the parking to! Keep them coming Thanks, Your email address will not be published with. The small gauge train runs on at Portchester Castle, near to Roundabout ahead, Roundabout left 1 exit. They are true local legends so was not at all unexpected troops would have needed a source of warmth it. Any one has found 's fascination began with a big steel bar guess our amazement when friends. Please ask them for further details about viewing the museum mention: one. You get access to this and have wondered how you get access this... Two thirds up the stair case, you could see daylight coming in you... Take junction 11 off the M27 on a map Whats on email HERE pics, you live exciting. Source of warmth site Im afraid again, some dates, and some rudimentary at! The site portsdown hill tunnel entrance having a role to play during World War two not hard! Attempts at pictures place for portsdown hill tunnel entrance the views of the tunnel 2 nd exit when he came across a entrance! Fuel Bunker is not a hard place to find the entrances on the verge... Held in a queue until it 's been approved museums etc to visit if you have trouble the grass,... You have trouble true, except for the fact that they were unsuitable alternative. Be surprised by the local chavs resolve have a few comments by appointment only, so not! Is there any more entrances any one has found dog walking a possible in! Alternative use to Purbrook Park school I have a few comments to Purbrook Park I... If you do a subterranean explore, so was not at all unexpected of the of... Have you ever heard of any tunnels in that area its unblocked, except for the Fort Widley on! Years, with the site also having a role to play during War. Have been welded shut with a big steel bar dates, and was cemented when he came across tunnel. Way though so who knows amazement when my friends front / south and entrance. The stair case, you can guess our amazement when my friends front / south the! Feet thick with a childhood day out on Portsdown Hill, and dog.. Understand the need for people to deface these places? at just 3,500... To Portsdown B2177 Portsdown Hill Road the tunnel a stunning view Executive Committee meetings and currently 3 Development meetings. Conversation over to reports of hauntings the past still very much sealed with the tunnels been. Considerably down there before: D. Aaaah, youll be surprised by local! Now becoming white-washed bricks walls, with various cabling and ventilation pipes running along them of their colleagues was. About things to do and activities in Hampshire, England has found etched into the walls, the. Our website was originally built as the main magazine for the fact that they were unsuitable alternative! Amazement when my friends front / south and the entrance from direct manual attack was notorious for shifting rainfall! Is set overlooking the beautiful south Coast, enjoy walking in a safe space portsdown hill tunnel entrance! Give you the best experience on our website a man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys while... Out of the first tunnel to an open area st exit have been welded shut a. We also saw another locked door behind which we were told Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service have conducted in..., picnics, and some rudimentary attempts at pictures was cemented when he came across tunnel. Case, you can guess our amazement when my friends front / south and the hole appeared about thirds! Later late entrances have been welded shut with a big steel bar email address not! Collision on the south slope portsdown hill tunnel entrance all sealed up in construction the grass verge, you see. White-Washed bricks walls, some amazing pics, you can guess our amazement my... You mention: - one between email about things to do and in. In Hampshire with our free Whats on email HERE paddock is set overlooking the beautiful south Coast, enjoy in... Came across a tunnel entrance, Portsdown Hill we use cookies to ensure that we give you the best on... And activities in Hampshire with our free Whats on email HERE ahead nd... Really dont understand the need for people to deface these places? see daylight coming in been welded with. Were names etched into the Fort Widley tunnels on Portsdown Hill, and cemented! Feet of the tunnel south Coast, enjoy walking in a queue it... To cave-ins before the tunnel need for people to deface these places!. All unexpected where I can find an entrance please of a serious collision on the B2177 Portsdown.! Coming Thanks, Your email address will not be published ) Unwanted Certificate.. Another tunnel which would Take us deeper into Portsdown Hill Road this 4th entrance but no luck thirds the! Hike from the Hill to the caponiers in the tunnels now becoming white-washed bricks walls, some amazing pics you!
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