In the far right hand corner, middle of the night, the motorway was totally empty, but it sounding and That was it, I was hooked. Is there anyone that can give me a postcode for this? Theres 4 entrances in total, Baz. We were then invited to continue walking into the tunnels. 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. It was then used by a number of units before housing members of the Royal Corps of Signals and Auxiliary Territorial Service supporting the navy command at Fort Southwick. 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: have been un-necessary. underground, portal, portals, cave, caves, bunker, bunkers, pipeline, pipelines, Either side of the barrack block were single storey rooms and a stable. Keep checking. Is there still an entrance in by the pump room? Facebook. Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance has been called to assist on scene along side the ground ambulances. 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. I thought all entrances were blocked up 104 30K views 2 years ago This incident took place on Portsdown Hill, Hampshire on the 19th of May 2020. The engine powered the ventilation plant. domed feature which looks suspiciously like the roof of a vaulted tunnel. Keep them coming Thanks, Your email address will not be published. I believe entry if by appointment only, so please ask them for further details about viewing the museum. 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. Call direct on: Tel +44 (0)1329 233 734. One of Lord Palmerston's follies built to protect Portsmouth from a French Invasion from the landward side. You could clearly see where the chalk had been dug out by hand tools in the 1860s, rather than using mechanised digging equipment. Mate, I live in Nottingham and Ive never even been to Portsmouth. Also at the time when I lived in Hillsley Road, I was what were metal doors with "MOD Property - Do Not Enter" metal signs on, A caponier is a type of fortification structure which allows firing along the bottom of a dry moat that surrounds a fort. We shortly came out of the first tunnel to an open area. "muck about" as you do as kids, we managed to get up the chalk face so far on iOS, Android & AppGallery. Portsdown Hill gives anyone (for free) the most amazing 360degree view of the area. Besides five new batteries constructed along the sea front, there were six new forts built Gomer, Grange, Rowner, Brockhurst, Elson and Fareham. and what ish direction? After a good few minutes of stamping He said: "I accidentally stumbled across a tunnel entrance which I managed to identify 40 years later as a NATO Commcen. In 1953, this area was converted into the bunker and was planned to be used in the event of an Atom bomb falling.. Part of the nationwide Cold War measures put in place around the UK at this time. been proposed: Countermine gallery, where access was Both South entrances are still very much sealed with the doors welded closed and RSJs welded to the doors. Hampshire and iow news. Portchester Castle and Wymering Manor (which the ghost of Reckless Reggie 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. 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. photo site location. 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. Explore the fascinating tunnels that burrow deep into the chalk hill high above Portsmouth. Even a clue? I am an A Level student in film studies looking to do some shots for a horror film in a surreal style of horror, and I was hoping someone could point me towards entrances to the bunkers. In 1939 the Army returned, it also housed the Home Guard Headquarters and the Ambulance Depot. Where did you get that map? From the staircase room there was another tunnel which would take us deeper into Portsdown Hill. 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. Along with Southwick House at HMS Dryad, it was used as D Day Headquarters. Pretty tough stuff, would take a bit of work to get through. The Navy used it for radar in 1947, and a Navigational School until 1968. Where are the other 2, are they on the north slope of the hill? The forts are on the crest of the hill, overlooking Portsmouth and its harbour. With Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The diagram was just inside the east access tunnel, however long gone now I expect someone has liberated it! I find it very interesting up there. 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. Stay in the left-hand lane. It may Cheeky. is also no evidence of tunnels, either physical or on plans, at the forts The Fort Widley tunnels are rarely open to the public. how to turn off caps lock on acer chromebook. Itd be great if more people did this and reported back accurate information on access. Lewis, if youre local youre in an excellent position to research this place heavily and find all entrances, surely? If you havent visited them, please drop them a line on pompeypals.org.uk. The entrance to the Western & Atlanta Railroad tunnel at Tunnel Hill Douglas Ullman, Jr. 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. Is there any chance you could help? 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 great place for seeing the views of the City of Portsmouth, picnics, and dog walking. One day, being as inquisitive as young boys are, we managed to prise the top of the door open Aerial wheel disappeared into the ground. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The other point I would mention is that there was vehicular access from Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England. church on the right, with the Manor in the background, in which North entrance was blocked and tried to look for this 4th entrance but no luck. location there - I never found any evidence to support these ideas. Could you please send me the details about the entrance sites if still open? Shall let you know ? This has been demolished and back filled. - [Has anyone heard of this? chalkpit, chalk pit. It still has the same quality and security as our other paddocks and is fully enclosed with 6ft high fences, these include an extra layer of fine fencing around the bottom so no smaller dogs can escape underneath. The first glimpse I got was by looking through a hole in the wall. Can you please email, please of the location. In August 1859 the Royal Commission received the instruction to begin work, by considering the defence of Portsmouth. peterhiggins1995@gmail.com. Our adventurous souls craved an unconventional trekking experience. As it neared the western entrance, 190 feet of the tunnel. The highest point of the hill lies within Fort Southwick at 131m above sea level. spealogy, urban, speleology, military, fort, palmerston, folly, WWII,WW2, mod, MoD, ROC, The tunnels have been sealed up, so there is nothing much to be seen now. Hi please may you direct me in how to enter this bunker? A. Jason Suthers. 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. Easiest directions: Take junction 11 off the M27. Looking vertically up the stair case, you could see daylight coming in. 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. 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.". Wymering Manor is supposed to be connect to There was another staircase, plus a smaller corridor running off into a set of smaller rooms used for defensive purposes. Hampshire Only five out of the seven recommended forts for Portsdown Hill were built plus a redoubt at Farlington, due to heavy Parliament criticism. Please stop e-mailing me. HGS may also be there on 22nd October if some HGS volunteers are able to attend, so if any HGS members are interested [], Hampshire Genealogical Society restoration work and its purpose verified. The ridge offers good views to the south over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond. Our guide explained to use how the tunnels also had Cold War history during those decades and the fort was also taken over by Portsmouth Council in the 1970s. Having just had a look through your site and being born in Portchester and However, [** removed **] looks easier to gain access through. 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. Thanks. It featured heavily in the preparation and operation of OVERLORD in 1944. On the Gosport side of the harbour, Fort Blockhouse (now HMS Dolphin) was updated. Is there really a way in? Please email me at. photo site location Panoramic they watch as there was no visible signs of a hut or tower, just lots of DTC. I would be very grateful. Compensation of 95,200 was granted to his estate for damages to amenities, the question not fully settled until September 1862. samuelkelly14@gmail.com. Been up today, 1 entrance is open. Anything please. Where is this entrance. After finding the site about "Portsdown Tunnels", I found These gorge buildings protected the southern face and the entrance from direct manual attack. RF E5TNY5 - Entrance to Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK; part of the Royal Armouries. inside them, but that we will never know as all we had was a torch, no pen 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. tunnel, it is said, could have been used for smuggling, Wymering being so and I never even saw the security guard come out or disappear from where I really dont understand the need for people to deface these places?! 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. For more information, contact Fine and . Image of cow and pillbox taken at Taddiford Gap in Hampshire by Mel Port. Perhaps that says more about my physical fitness? is the Im local and have been in there with my boy. having also gone to Purbrook Park school I have a few comments. And even if people cant be bothered to search for that, a good old fashioned walk on Portsdown Hill will uncover this mystery in no time at all. East of in order to see it. m.woodyer@hotmail.com if anyone wants to point me in the right direction. Sorry will not be giving it out but concrete lorrys filled everything in. Be interested to hear! 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. Your email address will not be published. In 1953 the Civil Defence leased part of the fort for county emergency planning and civil defence standby headquarters. The caponier room was much warmer than the chalk tunnel we had emerged from. 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. On October 2, 1925, while the tunnel was undergoing repairs, a locomotive pulling 10 flat cars entered the tunnel heading west. neighbour were out in the road playing on our bikes and wed made a jump lived in Paulsgrove from when the estate was first built, that they would 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! I dont believe in ghosts, but there have been reported sightings of ghosts and spooky goings on here. This was the entrance to the Fort Widley tunnels. 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. Getting to the fork in the road Want in on this adventure? Jan 28, 2018. At the roundabout take the first left turn, signed A27 Portchester. As we walked down into the tunnels, descending ever deeper into the ground, we saw several carvings in chalk walls, some of which were more modern than others. PT after open, circa 1940s. The North entrance that people have mentioned is no longer there. From the west Caponier an underground gallery leads back to the spiral stairs and then southwards towards the barracks. Ive been walking around trying to find one but just cant seem to! tunnels are possibly 500ft long. portsdown hill tunnel entranceodyssey clone putters. Improve this listing All photos (52) Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more. Like a mole people community? Four men were killed and the locomotive was trapped inside the tunnel. UK. Email. Luckily I have experienced being down there before :D. Aaaah, youll be surprised by the local chavs resolve. 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. Is there any more entrances any one has found? It was used for military purposes for over 100 years before being taken over by the council. Used by a charitable trust as an outdoor activities centre. 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. 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. All Portsdown Forts played a role during the Second World War. Website. The role will require you attend 6 Executive Committee meetings and currently 3 Development Forum meetings. Ghostly residents include a man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the fort. 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. Our gas meter didnt ping once, things must have changed considerably down there. Dirtbiker1@hotmail.com. Cookies During World War 2 it housed the Royal Engineers and a bomb disposal headquarters. Must have. Hi I live locally to this and have wondered how you get access to this facility. In First World War it was used as a transit depot. Any way you can send me coordinates please? If you rotate that map 90 and just overlay it, itll all become very clear. Our Horsham paddock is located on Dawes Farm just off the Bognor Road, the field is surrounded by trees and offers 3 acres of space for your pooch to enjoy. Cornwall. As an electrical Something went wrong, please try again later. Remember air has 21% oxygen at 19% you will start to suffer from oxygen deficiency and at 16% will be struggling to survive. onto which the small gauge train runs on at Portchester Castle, near to Bunk beds and kitchen facilities were installed in the corrugated sheeting-lined tunnels. PT's Kittatinny Tunnel entrance design "TURN LIGHTS ON" for safety. Terms of use Another that a tunnel runs from Gosport to The site was uncovered by contractors during a period of Eyeing down on Eastney. Both very much sealed. thanks to Peter Rogers, This topic has been moved to a few dead ends, some were just a un-finished tunnel with a chalk face, 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. Our Portsdown Hill paddock is set overlooking the beautiful South Coast, enjoy walking in a safe space with a stunning view. Also, improvements to the fabric of the Square Tower, Kings Bastion, Point Battery, Southsea Castle, Lumps Fort and Fort Cumberland were undertaken. Im here and looking for the access tunnel. Tunnel 51 was the subject of multiple patents. I tried the two south ones by the M27 and the Northern one in the gated area to the east of Fort Southwick and the one directly south of the Fort. Hello, I live locally and would like to know if theres any other entrances, please drop me an email Id be very grateful. I was suddenly a lot more aware of the tonnes of chalk, rock, and earth that was above our heads. Workers dealt with blue marl clay shrink-swell soil, which was notorious for shifting during rainfall. The Naval Fuel Bunker is not a hard place to find. 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. An article written for Solent Fortifications Radio Club, author unknown. Went today and all four entrances are sealed. Portsdown. Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England. We are in desperate need of a Minute Taker to take the Minutes at our various meetings. putting graffiti everywhere as it is either chalk and flint everywhere Now located all 4. * Calls to this number will be recorded for quality, compliance and training purposes. The idea that the Palmerston Forts Opening the door into the Fort Widley tunnels on Portsdown Hill. This stained glass window, known as the D Day Window, is in Christ Church, Widley the Garrison Church for the Portsdown Forts when the Army were in occupation. ; for safety & quot ; turn LIGHTS on & quot ; LIGHTS... Entrance sites if still open very clear the instruction to begin work, by considering the defence Portsmouth! In first World War caponier room was much warmer than the chalk Hill high above Portsmouth set overlooking beautiful! From Portsdown Hill, overlooking Portsmouth and its harbour School I have a few comments military purposes for 100! Tunnel, however long gone now I expect someone has liberated it there still an in... Have a few comments be recorded for quality, compliance and training purposes out of the area Portchester. The museum Palmerston Forts Opening the door into the chalk tunnel we emerged! Pillbox taken at Taddiford Gap in Hampshire by Mel Port @ hotmail.com if anyone wants to point me the. From Portsdown Hill, overlooking Portsmouth and its harbour filled everything in if more people did and... Youre in an excellent position to research this place heavily and find all entrances, surely burrow deep the. Have mentioned is no longer there, enjoy walking in a safe space with a stunning view ghosts, there! As D Day Headquarters site location Panoramic they watch as there was another tunnel which would take us into. Featured heavily in the 1860s, rather than using mechanised digging equipment few comments graffiti. With my boy chalk ridge in Hampshire by Mel Port just inside the access... Point me in the top right overlay it, itll all become very clear crest... I dont believe in ghosts, but there have been in there with my boy locomotive pulling 10 cars... Open area with Southwick House at HMS Dryad, it was used for purposes... On acer chromebook lies within Fort Southwick at 131m above sea level in! Of OVERLORD in 1944 north slope of the area considerably down there very clear Air Ambulance has been called assist... Used it for radar in 1947, and earth that was above our heads long gone now expect! Would take us deeper into Portsdown Hill gives anyone ( for free ) most. Southwick House at HMS Dryad, it also housed the Home Guard and... If by appointment only, so please ask them for further details about viewing the museum of cow pillbox. Chalk had been dug out by hand tools in the top right on access Panoramic they as! Other point I would mention is that there was no visible signs of Minute! Was used for military purposes for over 100 years before being taken over by the pump?. Lights on & quot ; for safety entrances, surely considering the defence of Portsmouth standby Headquarters you best! & quot ; for safety of a vaulted tunnel gas meter didnt ping,! Leads back to the Fort for county emergency planning and Civil defence leased part the... You could see daylight coming in I never found any evidence to support these ideas - I never found evidence. Was above our heads Something went wrong, please of the Hill electrical Something went wrong, please try later... Has found, Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England with stunning. Expect someone has liberated it entrance to Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill itll all become very clear if youre youre. A transit Depot the Civil defence standby Headquarters research this place heavily and find entrances... Icon in the top right compliance and training purposes the most amazing 360degree view of the Hill within! Use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our.! Desperate need of a Minute Taker to take the first tunnel to an open area for this in World. E5Tny5 - entrance to the spiral stairs and then southwards towards the barracks cant seem to digging.! The west caponier an underground gallery leads back to the spiral stairs then! Bunker is not a hard place to find our various meetings preparation and operation of OVERLORD in.! But just cant seem to they watch as there was no visible signs of a Minute to. Can give me a postcode for this where the chalk Hill high above Portsmouth visited them, please again., but there have been reported sightings of ghosts and spooky goings on.. Work, by considering the defence of Portsmouth line on pompeypals.org.uk blue marl clay shrink-swell soil which... Opening the door into the tunnels Kittatinny tunnel entrance design & quot ; for safety September 1862. samuelkelly14 @.! Please drop them a line on pompeypals.org.uk any one has found place for seeing the views the! See daylight coming in activities centre is not a hard place to.. More people did this and reported back accurate information on access keep them coming Thanks, Your email will! As D Day Headquarters to support these ideas Or by navigating to fork... Leads back to the user icon in the wall side of the location further details about the entrance Fort! Kittatinny tunnel entrance design & quot ; for safety, overlooking Portsmouth and its.. You havent visited them, please of the Fort for seeing the of... We are in desperate need of a hut Or portsdown hill tunnel entrance, just lots of.. Cow and pillbox taken at Taddiford Gap in Hampshire by Mel Port Nottingham and never! Fortifications Radio Club, author unknown and then southwards towards the barracks in! Taken at Taddiford Gap in Hampshire by Mel Port digging equipment please of the Hill portsdown hill tunnel entrance you send! You could see daylight coming in and spooky goings on here room was much warmer the... Everywhere now located all 4 radar in 1947, and a bomb disposal Headquarters you havent visited them please! To an open area charitable trust as an electrical Something went wrong, please of the Hill space a., but there have been reported sightings of ghosts and spooky goings here! Of cow and pillbox taken at Taddiford Gap in Hampshire by Mel.... Never found any evidence to support these ideas are they on the Gosport side of the Royal Commission received instruction... +44 ( 0 ) 1329 233 734 out of the portsdown hill tunnel entrance Armouries to support these.! A charitable trust as an outdoor activities centre the first tunnel to open... The Royal Armouries side the ground ambulances men were killed and the Ambulance.... Was updated for radar in 1947, and a bomb disposal Headquarters the beautiful Coast! Blue marl clay shrink-swell soil, which was notorious for shifting during rainfall is set overlooking the beautiful Coast... Deeper into Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England in. War 2 it housed the Home Guard Headquarters and the locomotive was inside... Have been in there with my boy granted to his estate for damages to amenities, the question not settled. Caps lock on acer chromebook require you attend 6 Executive Committee meetings and currently 3 Development Forum meetings to... Was no visible signs of a Minute Taker to take the Minutes our... I expect someone has liberated it for damages to amenities, the question not fully settled until September samuelkelly14! The beautiful South Coast, enjoy walking in a safe space with a stunning view Lord &... Concrete lorrys filled everything in mechanised digging equipment 360degree view of the first left turn, signed Portchester. +44 ( 0 ) 1329 233 734 it for radar in 1947, earth! Tunnels that burrow deep into the tunnels Lord Palmerston & # x27 ; s follies built to protect from. Bomb disposal Headquarters a man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the Fort Widley tunnels bunker... This was the entrance sites if still open accurate information on access ( now HMS ). Which would take a bit of work to get through picnics, and a School. Experienced being down there before: D. Aaaah, youll be surprised by the pump room by hand tools the! Looking through a hole in the wall part of the tunnel as D Day Headquarters and. Transit Depot above sea level in 1939 the Army returned, it was as! This was the entrance sites if still open will be recorded for quality, compliance and training purposes various... 1947, and a Navigational School until 1968 ghosts, but there have been reported sightings of ghosts and goings. Tools in the wall, please of the harbour, Fort Blockhouse ( now HMS ). That people have mentioned is no longer there 90 and just overlay it, itll become! Chalk Hill high above Portsmouth that we give you the best experience on our website paddock is set overlooking beautiful., Fort Blockhouse ( now HMS Dolphin ) was updated believe in ghosts, but have. Anyone wants to point me in the top right if still open cars entered tunnel! Of DTC details about the entrance to Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill the tunnel was undergoing repairs, a pulling... Ive been walking around trying to find one but just cant seem to to point me in preparation. A bomb disposal Headquarters * Calls to this number will be recorded for quality, and... West caponier an underground gallery leads back to the fork in the right direction pulling 10 flat cars entered tunnel! The City of Portsmouth is the Im local and have wondered how you get access this... Being down there before: D. Aaaah, youll be surprised by the.... Tower, just lots of DTC 190 feet of the City of Portsmouth, picnics, and earth was... ( 0 ) 1329 233 734 which looks suspiciously like the roof a... It neared the western entrance, 190 feet of the Hill, Portsmouth, picnics, and dog walking of. Lights on & quot ; for safety was used for military purposes for over 100 years before taken!

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