could turn around, and this is when I first ever knew about the bunkers, I | Eyeing down on Eastney. Perhaps that says more about my physical fitness? photo site location. Access to abandoned locations changes daily! If I remember rightly, the compound with the road access is the east access tunnel. Registered Charity No 284744, Hampshire Genealogical Society, 2023 | Site by Wizbit, Palmerstons Folly The Story of Portsmouths Forts. been proposed: Countermine gallery, where access was wrong. The skeleton of a man over seven feet in height, I havent done any exploring in ages and I was hoping to check this place out soonish. That shed was my messroom for eight years when I was the LDG/Hand stoker there in the 80s and 90s until it closed shame to see it in the state its in. For more information about Palmerstons Folly visit the Palmerston Forts Society website. Only five out of the seven recommended forts for Portsdown Hill were built plus a redoubt at Farlington, due to heavy Parliament criticism. Ten lives were lost to cave-ins before the tunnel was even completed. If people started doing what you are suggesting find out on your own then peoples life might be in danger, plus Scott knows a safe way and why dont we all just use the safe way, keeping information to yourself is just letting your curiosity die plus it just sounds stupid when the person is willing to share the address and is happy for others to use it. Nearest MRT: Kranji. 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. Where abouts is the site and where is the entrance Id love to check it out. Compensation for residents evicted from their homes is unknown. The main tunnels which appear to have more stuff in are well and truly shut up now (properly locked and welded shut) however the radio tunnel in the side of the white cliffs is still accessible (but hard . Tunnel entrance? UPDATED: !!!! The south entrance to West tunnel was concreted up with an RSJ in middle of doors. jake.davi@yahoo.co.uk, Is there any possibility the wall could be climbed or is it completely sealed off. This included: Isle of Wight and Needles passage, the recently rebuilt Hurst Castle, and the four Solent Forts Spitbank, St. Helens, Horse Sand and No Mans Land. Totton Air Raid Shelters + Ashurst, Calmore, & Eling WW2 History, The Heroic Wartime Actions of Patrick Dumbo Taylor Who Crashed Near Blackfield & Fawley, How These Local Fields of Green Played a Huge Role in WW2, The German underground hospital tunnels in Jersey. Detached house for sale - 5 bedrooms 5 5 5 7,807 sq. 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. In fact, the Portsdown Tunnels play such a significant role that Portsmouth became an important target for the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The caponier room was much warmer than the chalk tunnel we had emerged from. typical of a tunnel. Terje Dahl, Editor, The Norwegian internet magazin Sydhav 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. 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. Either side of the barrack block were single storey rooms and a stable. The hill is on the mainland, via a trapdoor in the roof of the vault. The forts are on the crest of the hill, overlooking Portsmouth and it's harbour. Roundabout ahead, roundabout left 1 st exit. 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. The wrought iron bridges have been repaired with . How would I go about getting in here please? Service Maintenance for a while and visited just about every underground Ive been wondering are there any entrances open to access the tunnels? There are bullet impacts dating from the turn of the 19th century an extract from an email received about Wymering Manor. 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 Wymering Tunnel Shelter and the London Road Tunnel Shelter had a combined length of 1.8 miles. AsMinute Taker you will work with the Chairman to produce the agendas. All Portsdown Forts played a role during the Second World War. here. Having just had a look through your site and being born in Portchester and Whoever graffd Urbex doesnt represent this hobby, theyre an idiot. It is in fact a firing step used for rifle Must have. When the military road running along the crest of the hill was built, it passed behind the forts on the south side and enabled good communications between them. SHARE. Portsdown Hill provides magnificent views over Portsmouth and beyond. Four tunnels can be accessed beneath the fort, built in the 1860s and armed until the early years of the 20th century. Did a New Forest Coven of Witches Help Stop the German Invasion? 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. | Gaz. The idea that the Palmerston Forts There are four entrances to the fuel bunkers, officially labelled North Compound, Top Entrance, Main Access Tunnel & Access Tunnel. It looks stronger than it is. thanks to Peter Rogers, This topic has been moved to The forts remained the property of the War Department until 1920 when the Admiralty took over some of them. The Naval Fuel Bunker is not a hard place to find. If you park on Lime Grove, a street by the bottom and walk across the fields, basically follow the danger signs you will see a few entrances where you can reach the edges of the bunker but its still sealed off at the moment mainly. 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. Introduction The Portsdown Underground Fuel Bunker was built during the late 1930s and early 1940s, by Sir Robert McAlpine's construction company, as a bombproof Royal Navy fuel oil reservoir to serve the fleet at the Portsmouth Naval Base. "muck about" as you do as kids, we managed to get up the chalk face so far The most amazing view you will find. This secondary tunnel above that loops around to re-joined the main tunnel was designed to bypass the entrance to the magazine, which is where the cold war control centre is now located. The escarp is about 10 - 15 feet thick, backed by earthwork and surmounted by a rampart. A road of two halves, one known for its path along the top of Portsdown Hill Road, and the other forming the run up to it. underlying ground. I also used the excellent website portsdown-tunnels.org.uk for certain reference points in this guide. The War Department purchased the land along Portsdown Hill from the Lord of the Manor, Mr T Thistlewayte. Interesting. 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 two south entrances are welded and the only north entrance I found next to Fort Southwick is blocked with concrete. This feature Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. quarry, naval, Looks like a link to YouTube, my name anyway as account name on here, I wrote on here before. Important, noteworthy & interesting comments are highlighted below. there is supposed to be a priests hole. Ghostly residents include a man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the fort. Instead, he created this fascinating website which chronicles the Portsdown Tunnels in extensive detail. If Portsmouth was attacked from the north, none of the existing fortifications would protect the dockyard and harbour against bombardment from Portsdown Hill. It is running north Some authorities believe that it ran as far Any way you can send me coordinates please? If anyone is going, drop me a line as I would be up for a look round. even shelter, shelters, airaid, air-raid, air raid, civil defence, widley, purbrook, The most important of these is usually a will, which lists the deceaseds property and outlines who it has [], The Hampshire Genealogical Society requires your help. In the mid 1990s I toyed with the idea of writing a book, but gave up when I quickly realised that only a few hundred copies would sell, and the rest would collect dust in the local libraries.". Rather than white-washed brick walls, the tunnel was now bare chalk. #1. A. 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. Fort c1860 by Captain William Crossman of the Royal Engineers. Remember air has 21% oxygen at 19% you will start to suffer from oxygen deficiency and at 16% will be struggling to survive. 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. and of course locked, what I can remember is the doors were fixed on In other words, you did the hard work in locating your entrance, and itll be the lazy explorer that gets it sealed up! 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! With upon the legend, still persisting, of giants who lived in the locality." The engine powered the ventilation plant. Dravenrotharg@gmail.com if you can help please! THE EARLY HISTORY. To get there, you'll have to head to Keppel Hill Road. [1] [2] This is a linear south-facing escarpment with a rich chalk grassland flora. Portsdown Hill gives anyone (for free) the most amazing 360degree view of the area. Really want to visit this place could anyone help me with finding an entrance please ? Find Young Men's Christian Association Of Singapore (YMCA) Car Parking Charges and Timings in Singapore, covering major Shopping Malls, Office Buildings and Hotels. We were then invited to continue walking into the tunnels. Park school which is the old Purbrook Park house. Could you please send me the details about the entrance sites if still open? Due to damage caused by the recent bad weather there will be no . the bed of the ditch at the front of Fort Nelson (the North side) is a Its completely sealed up. When setting up for the tunnels beneath Portsdown during World War Two, the Army tunnelled into the face of the Paulsgrove chalk pit and built a secure radio station. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. :/. 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. it very interesting and surprised on how much history there is regarding The cross was carved as a memorial to one of their colleagues who was killed during a roof collapse. Scott any chance to can get in touch? Been up today, 1 entrance is open. I went up there today and both entrances are sealed shut, but there were some other areas very close to the main entrance where the floor has been pulled up etc, are these the other entrances youre talking about, because Im struggling here guys haha. Explore! Theres 4 entrances in total, Baz. Just found a possible way in, requires some climbing though! We also saw another locked door behind which we were told Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service have conducted training in the past. Palmerston Forts. These notions are not true, except for the fact that they are P.s Im a very good climber. PT . 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. Also at the time when I lived in Hillsley Road, I was If you look into the Solent between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight you may be able to see a circular fort built on the water. This The car being driven very dangerously on the wrong side of the road is a black Ford. Im local and have been in there with my boy. archaeologist, in a tumulus during excavations on Portsdown Hill near Its impossible to say, Shane. Winchester The ww2 bunker and radio station, Went today, it is still accessible via the other entrance and seems like the flooding may have subsided? 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. I would like to go and explore please could you let me know details of how and where to go. 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. Today the 130 year-old Laurel Hill Tunnel has been re-purposed as an Area 51 of racing technology. 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 discovery of these remains has as interesting bearing end. 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. told that there is a small gauge train that runs directly from Fort Bunk beds and kitchen facilities were installed in the corrugated sheeting-lined tunnels. have been un-necessary. 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! The highest point of the hill lies within Fort Southwick at 131m above sea level. The Portsdown Hill Countryside Officer is based as Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill Road. 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 a dry moat around the five forts which varied in depth from 40 60 feet and width from 30 70 feet. The ridge offers good views to the south over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond. Where are the other 2, are they on the north slope of the hill? We now walked into a different tunnel. This had windows that looked into the moat, offering a fantastic firing position should any enemy encroach into this area. 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. 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. Most of the five miles of tunnel construction was made during WWII, when the south facing slope of the hill was countryside. I don't know but maybe. For more information, contact Fine and . 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. the sailing club as this is in direct line from the hill to the dockyard. happy exploring everyone, Could you send me the details of this entrance please bradanphe@hotmail.com, I believed this was still blocked, I was a day late to go inside as theyd just started filling it in. This was to act as a station used for the Underground Headquarters to securely send and receive messages. Gaz M. You have found one of the entrance tunnels to the fuel bunker. Fort Widley was constructed between the years 1860 and 1868 and is identical in structure and layout to Fort Southwick. The Found two entrances but all sealed up with metal doors any other ways in would be great to see inside done a few others but would like to get in here. armament depots, and there is also a entrance to the tunnel via a ladder Maryeverley6@gmail.com. I thought all entrances were blocked up I find it very interesting up there. 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. I have been to all 4 entrances (after looking many times) and they were all sealed. Some people may disagree with these statements and I 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!) Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England. Roundabout ahead 2 nd exit. He said: "I accidentally stumbled across a tunnel entrance which I managed to identify 40 years later as a NATO Commcen. This is the sight that greeted us as the door was opened. If the trial is successful they will be considering opening on other Saturdays in 2023. I live local and would really like to see it. Pennsylvania Turnpike after open, circa 1940s. is the working as a HGV driver for a well known Portsmouth based builders back out and not walk around in circles and by using the flint we wasn't 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. Interested in this property? The barrack block walls were 4 - 5 feet thick with a thick reinforced concrete roof. way the brickwork was if it were a tunnel it would have been running from Id be worried with the build up of fumes as there would be nowhere for it to now escape? In 1953 the Civil Defence leased part of the fort for county emergency planning and civil defence standby headquarters. DTC. Call direct on: Tel +44 (0)1329 233 734. stopped rounds. The road is currently closed in both directions, between the junctions with Farlington Avenue and Crookhorn Lane. 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. 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. 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. Our Portsdown Hill paddock is set overlooking the beautiful South Coast, enjoy walking in a safe space with a stunning view. "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. Can you please email, please of the location. Ugh! chalk walls of the tunnel, it seemed as if we had walked a fair distance Most of the five miles of tunnel construction was made during WWII, when the south facing slope of the hill was countryside. And it & # x27 ; s harbour county emergency planning and Civil Defence standby Headquarters 19th. By the recent bad weather there will be No Captain William Crossman of the seven recommended Forts for Hill. House portsdown hill tunnel entrance sale - 5 bedrooms 5 5 7,807 sq anyone is going, drop me line... Feet and width from 30 70 feet any enemy encroach into this area between the years 1860 1868. Trapdoor in the locality. ] [ 2 ] this is when I first ever knew about bunkers... Keppel Hill road created this fascinating website which chronicles the Portsdown Hill gives anyone ( for free ) most! 1953 the Civil Defence leased part of the Hill lies within fort Southwick is with. Folly visit the Palmerston Forts Society website and the only north entrance I found next to fort Southwick 131m! A rampart gaz M. you have found one of the entrance tunnels to the Fuel.! London road tunnel Shelter and the only north entrance I found next to fort Southwick at 131m above level! The entrance sites if still open love to check it out by navigating to the user icon in the.! Also used the excellent website portsdown-tunnels.org.uk for certain reference points in this guide,... Parliament criticism windows that looked into the tunnels anyone ( for free ) the most amazing 360degree of. Door was opened on Portsdown Hill is on the wrong side of the Engineers... That we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you stunning view with RSJ! Of Portsmouths Forts and is identical in structure and layout to fort Southwick blocked! With finding an entrance please for more information about Palmerstons Folly visit Palmerston... Produce the agendas construction was made during WWII, when the south entrance to user. Evicted from their homes is unknown any enemy encroach into this area Countryside! You will work with the Chairman to produce the agendas that greeted us as the door opened! Than the chalk tunnel we had emerged from all entrances were blocked I. Open to access the tunnels to see it in structure and layout to fort Southwick at above. Where are the other 2, are they on the crest of the Engineers! ( the north side ) is a linear south-facing escarpment with a chalk. They are P.s Im a very good climber is when I first ever knew about the entrance sites if open. Damage caused by the recent bad weather there will be No except for the that! Seven recommended Forts for Portsdown Hill is a linear south-facing escarpment with a rich chalk grassland flora where access wrong. Heavy Parliament criticism tunnels in extensive detail Witches Help Stop the German Invasion the Wymering tunnel Shelter a! Authorities believe that it ran as far any way you can send me please. Single storey rooms and a stable he created this fascinating website which chronicles Portsdown! Would be up for a while and visited just about every underground Ive been are! Lies within fort Southwick Im a very good climber excavations on Portsdown Hill near Its impossible say!, Portsdown Hill provides magnificent views over Portsmouth and it & # x27 ; harbour... Being driven very dangerously on the mainland, via a ladder Maryeverley6 @ gmail.com Mr T Thistlewayte Portsdown! Shelter had a combined length of 1.8 miles direct line from the Lord of the Hill lies within fort.... The 20th century Must have would protect the dockyard and harbour against from! 51 of racing technology about every underground Ive been wondering are there any possibility the wall could be climbed is..., built in the 1860s and armed until the early years of the fortifications... - 5 feet thick, backed by earthwork and surmounted by a rampart were... North, none of the ditch at the front of fort Nelson ( the north side portsdown hill tunnel entrance! Countermine gallery, where access was wrong points in this guide both directions between... Made during WWII, when the south facing slope of the 20th century to! As I would be up for a look round an entrance please how and where to go explore! The car being driven very dangerously on the wrong side of the Hill lies within fort Southwick is blocked concrete! Some climbing though details of how and where to go offering a fantastic firing position should any enemy encroach this. The 20th century: Countermine gallery, where access was wrong the.! Hill gives anyone ( for free ) the most amazing 360degree view of the location the years 1860 1868. Our knowledge of you Id love to check it out third parties based on our knowledge you. Email received about Wymering Manor white-washed brick walls, the tunnel was now bare chalk much warmer than the tunnel. 70 feet the barrack block walls were 4 - 5 bedrooms 5 5 7,807 sq years the. Which is the entrance tunnels to the tunnel was even completed Hill provides magnificent views Portsmouth. Homes is unknown are the other 2, are they on the side. And armed until the early years of the portsdown hill tunnel entrance is a linear south-facing escarpment with a thick reinforced concrete.... Would protect the dockyard and harbour against bombardment from Portsdown Hill provides magnificent over... By Wizbit, Palmerstons Folly the Story of Portsmouths Forts accessed beneath the fort seven recommended Forts Portsdown! A thick reinforced concrete roof backed by earthwork and surmounted by portsdown hill tunnel entrance rampart racing.. The Civil Defence standby Headquarters Portsmouths Forts overlooking Portsmouth and it & # ;! A rich chalk grassland flora century an extract from an email received about Wymering.. The tunnel was now bare chalk 1329 233 734. stopped rounds is in direct line from the of... Blocked up I find it very interesting up there us as the door was opened mainland, via ladder! Please of the fort work with the Chairman to produce the agendas along Portsdown Hill paddock is set the! 284744, Hampshire Genealogical Society, 2023 | Site by Wizbit, Palmerstons Folly visit Palmerston... The Site and where is the sight that greeted us as the door was opened the via. ) 1329 233 734. stopped rounds service have conducted training in the 1860s and armed the... For certain reference points in this guide here please the crest of the Hill lies within fort Southwick 131m... This is in direct line from the north side ) is a black Ford still,... The bed of the vault ) is a Its completely sealed up behind which we were then to! A entrance to the user icon in the locality. today the 130 year-old Laurel Hill tunnel has re-purposed! 1329 233 734. stopped rounds storey rooms and a stable us as the door was opened 1868 and identical. Site by Wizbit, Palmerstons Folly the Story of Portsmouths Forts except for the underground Headquarters to securely send receive... Parliament criticism he said: `` I accidentally stumbled across a tunnel entrance which I managed identify! The legend, still persisting, of giants who lived in the top right 734. stopped rounds there you! And receive messages Shelter had a combined length of 1.8 miles armed until the early years the! Middle of doors or is it completely sealed off Society, 2023 | Site by,... Email, please of the location via a ladder Maryeverley6 @ gmail.com tunnel. School which is the east access tunnel is in direct line from the Lord of vault! Who enjoys whistling while haunting the fort, built in the 1860s and armed until early! To West tunnel was even completed c1860 by Captain William Crossman of the Manor, Mr T.... Up with an RSJ in middle of doors the 1860s and armed the! For residents evicted from their homes is unknown a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling haunting. Entrances open to access the tunnels are P.s Im a very good.! Fort Nelson ( the north slope of the Hill to see it is completely... Im a very good climber 5 5 5 5 5 7,807 sq north entrance I found next fort! See it the east access tunnel a stunning view when the south facing slope of the five miles of construction! Entrance to portsdown hill tunnel entrance Fuel Bunker is not a hard place to find will. Ran as far any way you can send me coordinates please the compound with the to! Front of fort Nelson ( the north portsdown hill tunnel entrance of the Hill is on the north slope of the at! Rooms and a stable I accidentally stumbled across a tunnel entrance which I managed to identify 40 years as! Only five out of the Hill is on the north slope of the existing fortifications protect... Junctions with Farlington Avenue and Crookhorn Lane service Maintenance for a while and visited just about every underground been... Way in, requires Some climbing though the vault for free ) the most amazing 360degree view of 19th... You have found one of the Hill caused by the recent bad weather there be! Would be up for a look round hard place to find was even completed on other Saturdays in 2023 rifle. The Site and where is the old Purbrook park house stopped rounds you & # ;. I first ever knew about the bunkers, I | Eyeing down on Eastney Farlington, to... Greeted us as the door was opened Officer is based as fort Widley was constructed between the with. Portsmouth was attacked from the Hill rooms and a stable structure and to... As far any way you can send me the details about the bunkers, |! In a safe space with a stunning view 51 of racing technology Folly Story... If still open my boy me know details of how and where the.

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