Is there really a way in? SO23 8TH, Affiliated to the Family History Federation. The thing that sticks in my head the most walking around the Portsdown fuel bunker was the sheer feeling of infinity when looking down the entrance shafts with no end in sight. I have been to all 4 entrances (after looking many times) and they were all sealed. Reports; Images; Videos; Map; Written by Nick Catford on 01 August 1989. location there - I never found any evidence to support these ideas. . Upon entering the tunnels, my first thought was how it had a very-1950s and 1960s' vibe to it, even down to noticing some wooden flecked wallpaper on one of the walls. There was also signage describing one of the lower level rooms as a flanking gallery. 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. my dad informed the council and it was promptly backfilled with concrete The Calshot Air Crash Chronicles: Fatal Accidents (1914 to 1951). Real shame I didnt go in when I was peering down the tunnel only couple of weeks ago! The slopes are home to impressive shows of wildlife that can be explored through miles of paths. samrahman@me.com, Hi Im on my way and need to know how to get there, I would love to see this fuel bunker it has been on my list for a while now I know one entrance got sealed please email the entrance, lightfoot65@hotmail.com Id like to know of the location if its still open :), Want to go there today could someone send me an unsealed location? bunkers, and until that time I didn't know they existed, always saw the During the Second World War, the New Forest was a hive of aviation activity with large airfields and bases including RAF Beaulieu, Calshot, Holmsley South,, Read More Sway Airfield: The WW2 Emergency Landing Ground (ELG) / Decoy SiteContinue, This week I visited Holton Heath and Sandford to explore the two light anti-aircraft Bofors gun tower sites. Only five out of the seven recommended forts for Portsdown Hill were built plus a redoubt at Farlington, due to heavy Parliament criticism. All Portsdown Forts played a role during the Second World War. The dominant feature of this open space was a huge spiral staircase. AsSecretary you will work with the other Principal Officers to ensure the smooth running of the HGS. hinges to a metal frame with a concrete or plaster surround against the 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. a few dead ends, some were just a un-finished tunnel with a chalk face, this. Opening the door into the Fort Widley tunnels on Portsdown Hill. They then found a new lease of life in World War Two, when they became the communications "nerve centre" for the Underground Headquarters and Operation Overlord - the invasion of Normandy. Many thanks Compensation for residents evicted from their homes is unknown. This is typical when you do a subterranean explore, so was not at all unexpected. here. Jason Suthers. If the trial is successful they will be considering opening on other Saturdays in 2023. During World War Two, Portsdown's chalk pits were also used for bomb shelters. Wondered for a long time how to get in there, Any update on this, would very much like to get in to have a look about. Getting to the fork in the road Want in on this adventure? Hi please may you direct me in how to enter this bunker? The Once again, some amazing pics, you live an exciting life when it comes to hobbies! Just found a possible way in, requires some climbing though! The southern face and entrance was protected from direct manual attack by these gorge buildings. Find out more about things to do and activities in Hampshire with our free Whats On email HERE . The escarp is about 10 15 feet thick, backed by earthwork and surmounted by a rampart. Since first commenting nearly a year ago I have done my own research and found my own way in, its really cool but I wouldnt go down there without proper footwear and at least a dust mask and a torch powered by the fire of hell itself as its pretty damn dark. who probably belonged to a giant race that lived from 3000 to 4000 years We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Properties sold Filter: This area only All years From the staircase room there was another tunnel which would take us deeper into Portsdown Hill. The walls were no longer dug out tunnels, but instead a red brick structure, and part of the main fort architecture itself. Both very much sealed. Hi can you tell me where the other entrance is please Click link Underground tunnels went from the barrack block to the caponiers in the moat. 3 RD left, left. The ridge offers good views to the south over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond. 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. This caused the escarp walls on the north, north west and west sides of the ditch to slide forward and the parapet to subside. vibrations what I thought was outside, but considering it was in the the next day?. felt like a fleet of armoured tanks rolling past, quite a lot of us was James Callaghan Drive. Portsdown. Rather than white-washed brick walls, the tunnel was now bare chalk. With the fort buildings and extensive tunnels cut into the chalk they allow an unprecedented amount of space to investigate. The Interested in this property? Stay in the left-hand lane. Upon entering the tunnels, my first thought was how it had a very-1950s and 1960s vibe to it, even down to noticing some wooden flecked wallpaper on one of the walls. 1 of 24. The tunnels have been sealed up, so there is nothing much to be seen now. 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. I can confirm the entrance is blocked with a full wall of concrete. | 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? caponier at the top centre still clearly displays the evidence of montpellier oak engineered hardwood reviews. Route Number. I would like to go and explore please could you let me know details of how and where to go. Been up today, 1 entrance is open. Home Genealogy Articles Palmerstons Folly The Story of Portsmouths Forts. The tanks run in parallel with two access tunnels running along the front and back of the tanks. Portsdown Hill gives anyone (for free) the most amazing 360degree view of the area. We were still only a couple of minutes into the tunnels at this point, and saw another tunnel that branched off the main track, returning back onto the main tunnel in a loop. The site was uncovered by contractors during a period of 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. Must have. - [Has anyone heard of this? Portsmouth has so many famous landmarks and places to visit above ground - but you might not know about the world of intrigue and history beneath the city. The sludge meant that they were unsuitable for alternative use. Tunnel entrance? Suggest edits to improve what we show. ("South Seas"), HM Naval Base and the 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. Danramsden@live.co.uk if wanna email me instead. How would I go about getting in here please? Within about 5mins of reading this article, the comments & searching Google Ive found what I think is at least three of the entrances! Did you get sent any information on entrances to the bunker? The North entrance that people have mentioned is no longer there. Four tunnels can be accessed beneath the fort, built in the 1860s and armed until the early years of the 20th century. thanks to David Moore of the Palmerston Credits Mr Hunt's fascination began with a childhood day out on Portsdown Hill, and was cemented when he came across a tunnel entrance. and I never even saw the security guard come out or disappear from where There are also ghost tour events held in the Fort Widley tunnels. having been proposed: Countermine gallery, where access was blackness that I have never forgotten. The road is currently closed in both directions, between the junctions with Farlington Avenue and Crookhorn Lane. Keep checking. One of my neighbours was told by their grandparents who had For more information about Palmerstons Folly visit the Palmerston Forts Society website. Looking vertically up the stair case, you could see daylight coming in. Keep them coming Thanks, Your email address will not be published. Roundabout ahead, roundabout left 1 st exit. This now runs beneath roads including the M27 and retains some visible signs above land - with an inspection pit and fencing remaining, in some places, as its location was marked on the surface. The corner of Fort Purbrook can be seen on the top left.. hearing these noises. Really want to visit this place could anyone help me with finding an entrance please ? Improve this listing All photos (52) Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more. photo site location. That was it, I was hooked. TIP: Click the map for more Large scale mapping, SU6606 : Pleasingly old fashioned sign on Portsdown Hill Road, http://www.cbrd.co.uk/media/photo/gallery10.shtml. The highest point of the hill lies within Fort Southwick at 131m above sea level. As an electrical I would like to give a big thank you to Nick and Chris at the Pompey Pals charity who kindly invited us down for the morning in November, 2021. Where are the other 2, are they on the north slope of the hill? to get into a open tunnel entrance, and upon walking around them, we find UPDATE: !!!! Our adventure at Keppel Hill Reservoir 1. If you rotate that map 90 and just overlay it, itll all become very clear. how to turn off caps lock on acer chromebook. the bed of the ditch at the front of Fort Nelson (the North side) is a Fort c1860 by Captain William Crossman of the Royal Engineers. Terms of use Much of the underground network is now closed to the public, but continues to attract interest - with oil pipelines, bomb shelters and even a radio station having been created beneath the surface. Please note Fort Nelson ramparts are closed until further notice. 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. Fabulous picnic spot! On October 2nd, 1925 the tunnel unexpectedly collapsed as a work train was passing through. nelson, nuclear, cold war. Our Fort Widley tunnels tour by returning back the way we came, emerging back into the light next to the Pompey Pals museum. The Portsdown Hill Countryside Officer is based as Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill Road. It's also the perfect lookout post on the rest of the world so get ready to feast your eyes!'. Me and a few other explorers are looking to go up and have a look and we need some direction. One of a series of forts built for the defence of Portsmouth against landward attacks in the 1860s and known as Palmerston's Follies as they were never used defensively. 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. 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. Went here recently, can confirm that the two southern entrances are still tightly secured with huge metal doors with metal wire crates filled with small rocks to block access to the doors. Nicky19802010@hitmail.co.uk, Any chance you could email me about this place regarding entrances. The Fort Widley tunnels date from the 19thcentury, rather than being a more modern Second World War addition like the Fort Southwick ones are. 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. The two south entrances are welded and the only north entrance I found next to Fort Southwick is blocked with concrete. 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 . One day, being as inquisitive as young boys are, we managed to prise the top of the door open The tunnels beneath Fort Widley do have an atmosphere to them. Pm me I will send you location. Also visited here recently, wasn't expecting much as heard these weren't accessible anymore, but gave it a go nonetheless. Top ways to experience nearby attractions Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: Ultimate Explorer Ticket 145 We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. There are bullet impacts dating from the turn of the 19th century domed feature which looks suspiciously like the roof of a vaulted tunnel. tunnels, is probably more entrenched as a local legend than the one above. In 1939 the Army returned, it also housed the Home Guard Headquarters and the Ambulance Depot. Our adventurous souls craved an unconventional trekking experience. purchased the blocks of flats at the top, I was in the last block, on the historic website. Sorry will not be giving it out but concrete lorrys filled everything in. tanker lorries using it on several occasions when I was young. Aerial Anything please. 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: Up the stair case, you could see daylight coming in the seven recommended Forts Portsdown..., requires some climbing though view of the 20th century, Your email address will not published. 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