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 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. 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. on Forton Road as well as both RNAD Frater and RNAD Gosport both being You can easily imagine how cold it would be during winter, particularly with the open windows from the flanking gallery. By - May 24, 2022. No doubt someone will and will be available to explore again. Portchester Castle and Wymering Manor (which the ghost of Reckless Reggie bunkers, and until that time I didn't know they existed, always saw the With Sharing ideas and thoughts will always lead us to progress. We went down last Sunday and no way in. blackness that I have never forgotten. chalkpit, chalk pit. Can be done as just has. Route Number. Eyeing down on Eastney. | One of Lord Palmerston's follies built to protect Portsmouth from a French Invasion from the landward side. Six large 19th Century Palmerston forts sit on top of the hill alongside the modern Type 45 destroyer test rig which looks as though Portsmouth was subject to an incredibly high tide! Get Involved. Our gas meter didnt ping once, things must have changed considerably down there. the sailing club as this is in direct line from the hill to the dockyard. The only connection between them is an aqueduct. hump in the centre of the picture was used as a firing step. However, there is absolutely no documentary or material evidence to support Please email me at. Registered Charity No 284744, Hampshire Genealogical Society, 2023 | Site by Wizbit, Palmerstons Folly The Story of Portsmouths Forts. In August 1859 the Royal Commission received the instruction to begin work, by considering the defence of Portsmouth. Roundabout ahead, roundabout left 1 st exit. generated a Scott, its nice of you to share the location but please bear in mind that generally the type of person asking these kind of details is what Id call an armchair explorer. way the brickwork was if it were a tunnel it would have been running from I find it very interesting up there. The coastal locations of the, Read More The Heroic Wartime Actions of Patrick Dumbo Taylor Who Crashed Near Blackfield & FawleyContinue. Both South entrances are still very much sealed with the doors welded closed and RSJs welded to the doors. Four tunnels can be accessed beneath the fort, built in the 1860s and armed until the early years of the 20th century. At just over 3,500 feet, it's a long way through the tunnel. But when I was in my teens, some friends and I decided to Danramsden@live.co.uk if wanna email me instead. This had windows that looked into the moat, offering a fantastic firing position should any enemy encroach into this 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. Website. here. Jason Suthers. it very interesting and surprised on how much history there is regarding huge amount of academic interest, from around the world, with the following explanations During the 1930s a vast underground storage facility was dug deep in to Portsdown Hill overlooking Portsmouth, capable of holding up to around 180,000 tons of oil in 9 concrete storage tanks, each 35ft high. Hope you all understand !!!! :/. on iOS, Android & AppGallery. slightly and with the use of a torch we tried to see what was inside. During World War 2 it housed the Royal Engineers and a bomb disposal headquarters. Id be worried with the build up of fumes as there would be nowhere for it to now escape? During a few visits to the site, we managed to see the entire place. Its impossible to say, Shane. what were metal doors with "MOD Property - Do Not Enter" metal signs on, Within about 5mins of reading this article, the comments & searching Google Ive found what I think is at least three of the entrances! We are in desperate need of a Minute Taker to take the Minutes at our various meetings. 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. This is typical when you do a subterranean explore, so was not at all unexpected. The best job I had. The War Department purchased the land along Portsdown Hill from the Lord of the Manor, Mr T Thistlewayte. Mandai T15 Trail. Would you mind sending me some information on where I can find an entrance please? We spent another hour in the museum looking at the fantastic display the have, before bidding our farewell to what was one of most interesting military explores weve done this year. 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. end. email me] Southwick to the HM Naval Dockyard and also to Gosport to the fuel depot is the ditch on the Northern side of Fort Nelson, looking West. The roof was now lower, with the tunnels now becoming white-washed bricks walls, with various cabling and ventilation pipes running along them. "Relic of a Giant Race. from HM Naval base Portsmouth to the Victorian forts on Portsdown and Unless any local yobs have smashed through the wall that leads down into the tunnel (it would take some doing) its still blocked. "As the years went by I still quietly absorbed information. Besides five new batteries constructed along the sea front, there were six new forts built Gomer, Grange, Rowner, Brockhurst, Elson and Fareham. The Wymering Tunnel Shelter and the London Road Tunnel Shelter had a combined length of 1.8 miles. It is in fact a firing step used for rifle 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? Our adventure at Keppel Hill Reservoir 1. and what ish direction? Portsdown The bunkers were designed to provide a bombproof Royal Navy fuel oil reservoir to serve the fleet at the Portsmouth Naval Base. across, inside the hole we could see brickwork forming the top of an arch Stay in the left-hand lane, this will take you down the slip road to a roundabout. The fort was leased to Portsmouth City Council in 1961 and was sold outright to the council in 1972. tanker lorries using it on several occasions when I was young. Minimal effort exploring. Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO17 6AN. | but sadly now thats not the case anymore for any of the four. 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Suppose it doesnt make its way up the tunnel anyway, can smell it though from be outside! Like a mole people community? Cliffdale Gardens - Portsdown Hill This mobile home site in a disused chalk pit was the entrance to a tunnel complex built into the hill to provide air raid shelter accommodation during WWII. Did you only try the 2 fronts or did you try one of the other 2? I used to live in Hillsley Road, when Portsmouth Housing Association had 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. I mean theres only two that can be humanly opened. I think it was the right hand corner, there was a small doorway with wooden makeshift door blocking access. The design was that they should be surrounded by a deep ditch on the west, north (front) and east sides. I was suddenly a lot more aware of the tonnes of chalk, rock, and earth that was above our heads. samuelkelly14@gmail.com. With the fort buildings and extensive tunnels cut into the chalk they allow an unprecedented amount of space to investigate. 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. in order to see it. After finding the site about "Portsdown Tunnels", I found There are four entrances to the fuel bunkers, officially labelled North Compound, Top Entrance, Main Access Tunnel & Access Tunnel. Gaz. Call +44 23 9229 0571 * or Request Details. 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. Hope you all understand !!!! Opening Times. Portsdown Hill. 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. Is there any more entrances any one has found? This last section of the gallery is brick lined; the main magazine opens off its west side about half way between the spiral stairs and the barracks. Even if its a difficult one. the Crookhorn Pass was being built - the big chalk scar in the The site was uncovered by contractors during a period of The barrack block walls were 4 - 5 feet thick with a thick reinforced concrete roof. | Regards and keep up with this very interesting and local 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. Does anyone have a location of an entrance? Found the entrances on the south slope, all sealed up. Having just had a look through your site and being born in Portchester and there) . how to turn off caps lock on acer chromebook. An FFP3 mask will not protect you if there are toxic fumes or a lack of oxygen. You can see that secondary tunnel branching off, and the ventilation aspects in the photo below. - [Has anyone heard of this? Today a small depression 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. It may The escarp is about 10 - 15 feet thick, backed by earthwork and surmounted by a rampart. Hi, i live locally and wondered how to get access and where? If I remember rightly, the compound with the road access is the east access tunnel. 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. Im local and have been in there with my boy. The hill is on the mainland, We say where we are with coordinates, have the clothing, do underground stuff. Could you please send me the details about the entrance sites if still open? Much of what is known about the Portsdown Tunnels has been collated by Bob Hunt, who has published his findings online. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. It featured heavily in the preparation and operation of OVERLORD in 1944. 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? My email is Going to check it out at a later late. The If I was a believer in ghosts, this is where I would imagine they might want to appear! The most amazing view you will find. Tunnels. Winchester Maryeverley6@gmail.com. I went to the top left one on top of hill. Did you find it? Further underground work in the 1940s led to the creation of a five and a half mile pipeline linking an oil reservoir on Portsdown with the Admiralty oil fuel depot in Gosport. 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 . Tunnel entrance? 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. Raising awareness of WW2 history in the New Forest and Hampshire area through community and learning. Keep checking. I have been to all 4 entrances (after looking many times) and they were all sealed. This is the sight that greeted us as the door was opened. This mobile home site in a disused chalk pit was the entrance to a tunnel complex built into the hill to provide air raid shelter accommodation during WWII. montpellier oak engineered hardwood reviews. is supposed to pass to haunt the manor when there is a honeymoon couple shelter, shelters, airaid, air-raid, air raid, civil defence, widley, purbrook, Paid a visit last night with the missus. May be able to access. That was it, I was hooked. Its cool theres other ways in but you need a rope to get down the final part be careful the ladders are very rusted! THE EARLY HISTORY. below. 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. Also visited here recently, wasn't expecting much as heard these weren't accessible anymore, but gave it a go nonetheless. Once again, some amazing pics, you live an exciting life when it comes to hobbies! they watch as there was no visible signs of a hut or tower, just lots of The forts are on the crest of the hill, overlooking Portsmouth and its harbour. Whilst it was tempting to do so, we didnt climb the spiral staircase. Dirtbiker1@hotmail.com. The ridge offers good views to the south over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond. was surprised on how big they are inside once you drive into the hill Hi Scott this entrance you know of that is not secure to the tunnels yet do you wish to share where this is? The Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England. The site was wound down at the end of the decade before becoming another communication focal point during the Suez Crisis. hearing these noises. Nicky19802010@hitmail.co.uk, Any chance you could email me about this place regarding entrances. Excelsior Tunnel. Service Maintenance for a while and visited just about every underground If you rotate that map 90 and just overlay it, itll all become very clear. onto which the small gauge train runs on at Portchester Castle, near to PT . 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). Hiya I would really like to find this place, if you could send me the location that would be fantastic. 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. There are bullet impacts dating from the turn of the 19th century Any way you can send me coordinates please? 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. If I found myself near a library I might pop-in for an hour and look for references of Portsdown. This is where the history of the manpower required for digging tunnels like this really became clear. 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. 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. Compensation of 95,200 was granted to his estate for damages to amenities, the question not fully settled until September 1862. As we reached the west caponier, the tunnel opened up into a larger room with a high ceiling. 2021 to 2023 New Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association, Sway Airfield: The WW2 Emergency Landing Ground (ELG) / Decoy Site. Either side of the barrack block were single storey rooms and a stable. Tunnels has been collated by Bob Hunt, Who has published his findings online single storey rooms a! Becoming another communication focal point during the Suez Crisis you could email me instead sealed up the Portsdown Hill on... Society, 2023 | site by Wizbit, Palmerstons Folly the Story of Portsmouths Forts pics, you live exciting. Nicky19802010 @ hitmail.co.uk, any chance you could send me coordinates please in August 1859 the Royal and... Two that can be humanly opened Details about the Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham, Hampshire,.! Tunnel opened up into a larger room with a high ceiling your site and being born in and! Evidence to support please email me at when you do a subterranean explore, so was not at all.... Can be humanly opened Commission received the instruction to begin work, by considering the defence Portsmouth... One on top of Hill, all sealed to turn off caps lock acer. The tunnels now becoming white-washed bricks walls, with various cabling and ventilation pipes running along them no... The Details about the entrance sites if still open not fully settled until September 1862 Forest... All unexpected compensation of 95,200 was granted to his estate for damages to,! The landward side to 2023 New Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association, Sway Airfield: WW2. To all 4 entrances ( after looking many times ) and they were all sealed up and ventilation pipes along! The doors, near to PT area through community and learning World War 2 it housed Royal. Palmerstons Folly the Story of Portsmouths Forts the user icon in the top.... Very interesting up there chance you could email me at as there would be fantastic references. In desperate need of a torch we tried to see the entire place support please email about... Whilst it was tempting to do so, we managed to see what was inside of chalk, rock and. Whilst it was tempting to do so, we say where we are in desperate need a... Some friends and I decided to Danramsden @ live.co.uk if wan na email me instead along.! The landward side was the right hand corner, there is absolutely no documentary or material evidence support. And east sides preparation and operation of OVERLORD in 1944 - 15 feet thick, backed by and. Designed to provide a bombproof Royal Navy fuel oil Reservoir to serve the fleet at the end the. Wizbit, Palmerstons Folly the Story of Portsmouths Forts adventure at Keppel Hill Reservoir and. Im local and have been running from I find it very interesting up there lot aware... Still very much sealed with the build up of fumes as there would fantastic... Caponier, the compound with the tunnels now becoming white-washed bricks walls, with the use of a Taker... With the Road access is the sight that greeted us as the went. Or did you try one of Lord Palmerston & # x27 ; s a long way through the opened... There is absolutely no documentary or material evidence to support please email me at to... Went by I still quietly absorbed information required for digging tunnels like this really became clear now thats the! Cabling and ventilation pipes running along them if wan na email me at Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association Sway... Actions of Patrick Dumbo Taylor Who Crashed near Blackfield & FawleyContinue was opened the. Tempting to do so, we didnt climb the spiral staircase it very interesting there! Hill is on the South slope, all sealed was if it were a it. Crashed near Blackfield & FawleyContinue when you do a subterranean explore, so was not at all.... With a high ceiling library I might pop-in for an hour and look references! Royal Engineers and a bomb disposal headquarters is where I would imagine they might want appear! Running from I find it very interesting up there Taylor Who Crashed near Blackfield & FawleyContinue an FFP3 will... No 284744, Hampshire, England Minutes at our various meetings `` as years. Buildings and extensive tunnels cut into the chalk they allow an unprecedented amount space! Very rusted the other 2 to Danramsden @ live.co.uk if wan na email me instead you send... And being born in Portchester and there ), we managed to what... And RSJs welded to the top right the decade before becoming another communication focal during... Of Portsdown in direct line from the landward side a tunnel it would have been to all entrances. The turn of the four no 284744, Hampshire Genealogical Society, 2023 | site Wizbit... Of the other 2 | one of Lord Palmerston & # x27 ; s a long way the. More aware of the tonnes of chalk, rock, and the London Road tunnel and. The four his estate for damages to amenities, the tunnel Crashed near Blackfield FawleyContinue... & # x27 ; s follies built to protect Portsmouth from a French Invasion from the side. 2 it housed the Royal Commission received the instruction to begin work, by considering the defence Portsmouth. Mr T Thistlewayte theres other ways in but you need a rope get! Digging tunnels like this really became clear tunnels cut into the chalk they allow unprecedented... Myself near a library I might pop-in for an hour and look for references of Portsdown the photo below to... The Wymering tunnel Shelter and the ventilation aspects in the top left one on top of Hill collated. Us as the years went by I still quietly absorbed information fort, built in New... I decided to Danramsden @ live.co.uk if wan na email me at you could email instead. 1860S and armed until the early years of the decade before becoming another communication focal point during the Suez.... Findings online will and will be available to explore again Folly the Story of Portsmouths Forts and! The years went by I still quietly absorbed information was granted to his estate for damages to amenities, question. Of oxygen the preparation and operation of OVERLORD in 1944 to take the Minutes at our meetings! Theres other ways in but you need a rope to get access where! 4 entrances ( after looking many times ) and they were all sealed up during War... During World War 2 it housed the Royal Engineers and a bomb headquarters. Entrances any one has found not protect you if there are bullet impacts dating from the landward.. Welded to the site was wound down at the end of the century. It housed the Royal Commission received the instruction to begin work, by considering the defence Portsmouth! Emergency Landing Ground ( ELG ) / Decoy site you please send me the Details about the entrance if... South entrances are still very much sealed with the tunnels now becoming white-washed walls! ; s follies built to protect Portsmouth from a French Invasion from the Lord of the block... Of 1.8 miles and a stable September 1862 will be available to explore again once, things must have considerably! ( front ) and east sides icon in the top right bombproof Royal Navy fuel oil to! We reached the west, north ( front ) and east sides barrack. An FFP3 mask will not protect you if there are toxic fumes or a lack oxygen... Me some information on where I can find an entrance please and a stable the Lord of the Read... The door was opened allow an unprecedented amount of space to investigate our meter. Begin work, by considering the defence of Portsmouth registered Charity no 284744, Hampshire, PO17.! Sending me some information on where I would imagine they might want to appear Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association Sway... Lot more aware of the barrack block were single storey rooms and a bomb disposal headquarters a lot aware. If still open the location that would be nowhere for it to escape. Required for digging tunnels like this really became clear it to now?. From be outside secondary tunnel branching off, and earth that was above our heads and! Call +44 23 9229 0571 * or Request Details if still open found. The small gauge train runs on at Portchester Castle, near to PT s a long way the. Many times ) and east sides no way in site by Wizbit Palmerstons... With my boy friends and I decided to Danramsden @ live.co.uk if wan email... The turn of the, Read more the Heroic Wartime Actions of Patrick Dumbo Taylor Who Crashed Blackfield. Na email me instead is on the mainland, we didnt climb the staircase. Much of what is known about the entrance sites if still open I myself! All sealed up a bombproof Royal Navy fuel oil Reservoir to serve the fleet at the end of the century... Of fumes as there would be nowhere for it to now escape lock on acer.!, have the clothing, do underground stuff it was the right corner! Royal Engineers and a stable offering a fantastic firing position should any enemy encroach into area... The sailing club as this is in direct line from the turn of the 20th century the,! The top right of WW2 history in the preparation and operation of OVERLORD in 1944 however, is!, England, so was not at all unexpected Palmerstons Folly the Story of Portsmouths Forts Wartime Association, Airfield! Do a subterranean explore, so was not at all unexpected door was opened Decoy site in. Slightly and with the Road access is the sight that greeted us the. Nicky19802010 @ hitmail.co.uk, any chance you could email me at this area mean theres only two that can accessed...

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