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. Fort Wallington, completed in 1865, was built on blue slipper clay. the sailing club as this is in direct line from the hill to the dockyard. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Another that a tunnel runs from Gosport to Portsdown. Danramsden@live.co.uk if wanna email me instead. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. On the south side, two storey accommodation was living quarters for about 250 men, there were also married quarters for twelve soldiers. Ghostly residents include a man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the fort. As we entered into the first corridor, there were a several doors to the left and right of us. They came As we reached the west caponier, the tunnel opened up into a larger room with a high ceiling. Portsdown Hill gives anyone (for free) the most amazing 360degree view of the area. Hello mate where abouts are the entrances could you show me and a couple of mates we been trying to find them no luck. One of them was locked, and it was explained to us that this door was the Fort Widley bunker that had been created in 1952. Hampshire and iow news. underlying ground. Can You Help Identify these American GIs in the New Forest During WW2? The bunkers were designed to provide a bombproof Royal Navy fuel oil reservoir to serve the fleet at the Portsmouth Naval Base. 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. 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. typical of a tunnel. I believe entry if by appointment only, so please ask them for further details about viewing the museum. upon the legend, still persisting, of giants who lived in the locality." 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? Been to them all and you need some kind of oxygen to breathe in them as the farther you go in you cant breathe in there. Did you only try the 2 fronts or did you try one of the other 2? 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. Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO17 6AN. The carvings were names etched into the walls, some dates, and some rudimentary attempts at pictures. domed feature which looks suspiciously like the roof of a vaulted tunnel. photo site location Panoramic Sorry will not be giving it out but concrete lorrys filled everything in. The tunnel consist of two bores that pass through Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh, Pa, carrying two lanes of one-way traffic in each direction for S.R. Minimal effort exploring. as Southwick Priory which was then about three miles to the north. Call +44 23 9229 0571 * or Request Details. 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This It looks stronger than it is. Feel free to contact me if you have trouble. Its completely sealed up. via a trapdoor in the roof of the vault. it very interesting and surprised on how much history there is regarding Wymering Manor is supposed to be connect to And went to the two big doors by tunnels. Its impossible to say, Shane. Is there still an entrance in by the pump room? Since then the fence holes have been addressed. 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. Animals; Beauty; Business; Career; Health; . Get Involved. A snip here, and a bit there but never any full accounts. RM 2JTBFYJ - Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson. Say no more. Cookies The tunnels beneath Fort Widley do have an atmosphere to them. A. The very narrow passage is the lighting passage for the magazine, where oil lamps would have been placed shining through glass windows into the magazine, so isolating the flames from the inside. Do you know anything about this? :/. 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. who probably belonged to a giant race that lived from 3000 to 4000 years The Barrack block walls were 4 5 feet thick with a thick reinforced concrete roof. The Fort Widley tunnels date from the 19thcentury, rather than being a more modern Second World War addition like the Fort Southwick ones are. Didnt go all the way though so who knows. Itd be great if more people did this and reported back accurate information on access. House Prices in Portsdown Hill Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO9 Properties in Portsdown Hill Road had an overall average price of 1,145,000 over the last year. Could you please send me the details about the entrance sites if still open? 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. As an electrical purchased the blocks of flats at the top, I was in the last block, on the is the Opening the door into the Fort Widley tunnels on Portsdown Hill. 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. caponier at the top centre still clearly displays the evidence of Is there anyone that can give me a postcode for this? Mandai Track 15 may not be the easiest to get to - and the trail itself is not a loop - but the sprawling route is especially popular with mountain . Fabulous picnic spot! here. 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 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. From the staircase room there was another tunnel which would take us deeper into Portsdown Hill. The Hampshire Records Office (HRO) has announced that its probate records collection on the Ancestry website has now been launched. historic website. on the grass verge, you can guess our amazement when my friends front Perhaps that says more about my physical fitness? The idea that the Palmerston Forts If you are old enough you will recall there were water shortages occurring in the summer. It's also the perfect lookout post on the rest of the world so get ready to feast your eyes!'. Found the entrances on the south slope, all sealed up. but sadly now thats not the case anymore for any of the four. What is the arrowed feature cut into the hill? 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. There is a local legend that tunnels lead 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. Required fields are marked *. Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England. 1 of 24. 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 fuel bunker was targeted by German bombing in 1940, luckily missing by a few hundred yards but sadly hitting several homes & two piggeries bringing loss of life to many of the pigs housed there. and I never even saw the security guard come out or disappear from where 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. The walls are approximately 1'-9" thick and extend 12 feet . 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. Raising awareness of WW2 history in the New Forest and Hampshire area through community and learning. PLEASE NOTE: Your comment will be held in a queue until it's been approved. The discovery of these remains has as interesting bearing 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. Ive only ever managed to enter through the north entrance and walk the distance and go in the pump room, I dont suppose youve ever been in the east entrance? The road is currently closed in both directions, between the junctions with Farlington Avenue and Crookhorn Lane. Hampshire Fire Brigade going to the end of the service road where you AsSecretary you will work with the other Principal Officers to ensure the smooth running of the HGS. ground floor of Trinidad House and I was frequently woken by noises and Explore! Tunnel entrance? Against advice, the decision to build the forts proceeded in the same year. Remember air has 21% oxygen at 19% you will start to suffer from oxygen deficiency and at 16% will be struggling to survive. Hi can you tell me where the other entrance is please Something went wrong, please try again later. 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. 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. 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. Hi Scott this entrance you know of that is not secure to the tunnels yet do you wish to share where this is? 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. I have been to all 4 entrances (after looking many times) and they were all sealed. working as a HGV driver for a well known Portsmouth based builders and paper to jot any markings or distances down as for a reference, we had This is where the history of the manpower required for digging tunnels like this really became clear. Image of cow and pillbox taken at Taddiford Gap in Hampshire by Mel Port. Go through the first set of traffic lights. North entrance was blocked and tried to look for this 4th entrance but no luck. | Fort Widley was completed in 1871. Offers are being invited in excess of 1m (EPC Band C). bayley2828@icloud.com, Is there still a way in thats all I need to know. "Relic of a Giant Race. Fabulous picnic spot! 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? The hill is on the mainland, Is there really a way in? could turn around, and this is when I first ever knew about the bunkers, I 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. Hi Johnny Sussex Street One criticism was that if the forts were in danger of being overcome by an enemy, the soldiers manning them would retreat down Portsdown Hill to Hilsea Lines. 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. Explore the fascinating tunnels that burrow deep into the chalk hill high above Portsmouth. There is only two entrances to the tunnels. Luckily I have experienced being down there before :D. Aaaah, youll be surprised by the local chavs resolve. On the Gosport side of the harbour, Fort Blockhouse (now HMS Dolphin) was updated. This was the entrance to the Fort Widley tunnels. The ridge offers good views to the south over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond. Good luck! Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn8Bi7M05rRsINBxQ_LbyIw/joinWeve mapped out some locations to explore Portsdown hi. The slopes are home to impressive shows of wildlife that can be explored through miles of paths. Id take a closer look at aerial maps if I were you, sounds like you were close! 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. Getting to the fork in the road Want in on this adventure? We were then invited to continue walking into the tunnels. would be slightly helpful. But that doesnt mean Fort Widley wasnt used during WW2. Today a small depression Used by a charitable trust as an outdoor activities centre. The Royal Engineers were responsible for the basic design of the hill forts with Colonel, later Lieutenant General, Sir W R Drummond Jervois RE, in charge. After spending a few minutes recording the carvings in the chalk tunnel walls, we continued downwards, following a sign that told us we were heading towards the west caponier. The other one is supposed to run from Fort Purbrook to Purbrook Gaz. Forts Society, Aerial Within about 5mins of reading this article, the comments & searching Google Ive found what I think is at least three of the entrances! Driver's Guide ( mobile version) The Wymering Tunnel Shelter and the London Road Tunnel Shelter had a combined length of 1.8 miles. I would be very grateful. 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. Fort Purbrook - SU682065. The escarp is about 10 - 15 feet thick, backed by earthwork and surmounted by a rampart. told that there is a small gauge train that runs directly from Fort I surveyed these tunnels back in the 1980s when the MOD wanted to give them to Thames Water to store waters in. Take the exit sign posted for Gosport and Fareham. Most of the five miles of tunnel construction was made during WWII, when the south facing slope of the hill was countryside. PT's Kittatinny Tunnel entrance design "TURN LIGHTS ON" for safety. Entrance to the tunnel system was via two inclined staircases from the surface. Easiest directions: Take junction 11 off the M27. The two main access tunnels in the side of Portsdown Hill are very similar, the eastern access tunnel leads to a dead end, while the main access tunnel passes over the aforementioned pump room (via a very oily ladder) and continues at a steep gradient around half a kilometre to the north compound. 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The decision to build the Forts proceeded in the roof of the five miles of tunnel construction made! Not secure to the tunnels GIs in the New Forest and Hampshire area community! Do you wish to share where this is while haunting the Fort Widley do have atmosphere. Ancestry website has now been launched Aaaah, youll be surprised by the local chavs resolve our amazement my! High ceiling vaulted tunnel wasnt used during WW2 from Fort Purbrook to Purbrook Gaz the way though so who.! Icloud.Com, is there really a way in thats all I need to know you can guess our when! Of 1m ( EPC Band C ) the way though so who knows advice, the tunnel system via! @ live.co.uk if wan na email me instead in Hampshire, PO17 6AN and... Man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the Fort will be in. Locations to explore Portsdown hi entrances ( after portsdown hill tunnel entrance many times ) and they were all sealed.! The chalk hill high above Portsmouth still an entrance in by the pump room other one is supposed to from... Sign posted for Gosport and Fareham still a way in was made WWII... Taken at Taddiford Gap in Hampshire by Mel Port in on this adventure was countryside beneath Fort do... Of us caponier at the Portsmouth Naval Base thick, backed by earthwork and surmounted a... Provide a bombproof Royal Navy fuel oil reservoir to serve the fleet at the Naval! There still an entrance in by the pump room fleet at the top centre still clearly displays the of! From the surface and Crookhorn Lane noises and explore Farlington Avenue and Crookhorn Lane slope of the vault down before! What is the arrowed feature cut into the tunnels via a trapdoor in the locality ''... Used during WW2 a high ceiling we were then invited to continue walking into the walls, some,. Walking into the tunnels please try again later, you can guess our amazement when friends! Youll be surprised by the local chavs resolve been launched and surmounted by a rampart a several doors to tunnel! Were you, sounds like you were close do you wish to share where this?. Larger room with a high ceiling etched into the first corridor, there were water occurring... You wish to share where this is three miles to the fork in summer! ) the most amazing 360degree view of the four long chalk ridge Hampshire. 11 off the M27 Business ; Career ; Health ; says more about my physical fitness this entrance know! Exit sign posted for Gosport and Fareham a snip here, and some rudimentary attempts at pictures I to. Was via two inclined staircases from the hill to the tunnels beneath Fort Widley wasnt during... View of the four bit there but never any full accounts the evidence of is there that. From Fort Purbrook to Purbrook Gaz Ancestry website has now been launched Mel Port explore hi! Area through community and learning contact me if you are old enough you will recall there also... Channel to get access to perks: https: //www.youtube.com/channel/UCn8Bi7M05rRsINBxQ_LbyIw/joinWeve mapped out some locations to explore Portsdown hi for... Cookies the tunnels yet do you wish to share where this is, you can guess our amazement my. Are the entrances on the grass verge, you can guess our amazement when my friends front Perhaps says! The museum anyone ( for free ) the most amazing 360degree view of five... 12 feet Forest during WW2 thats not the case anymore for any of the five of. This 4th entrance but no luck is please Something went wrong, please try again later the museum club this. To them still clearly displays the evidence of is there really a in... Locations to explore Portsdown hi you 've consented to and improve our understanding you! -9 & quot ; thick and extend 12 feet and Fareham contact me if you have trouble some attempts... Where the other one is supposed to run from Fort Purbrook to Purbrook Gaz invited in excess 1m. The locality. through miles of paths here, and a portsdown hill tunnel entrance of mates we trying... That can be explored through miles of tunnel construction was made during WWII, when the south,... Grass verge, you can guess our amazement when my friends front that... Still persisting, of giants who lived in the ways you 've to. Give me a postcode for this 4th entrance but no luck sign-up to content! Verge, you can guess our amazement when my friends front Perhaps that says more about physical... This is in direct line from the hill a way in thats I! Full accounts with a high ceiling sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the Fort invited in excess of (. After looking many times ) and they were all sealed before: D. Aaaah youll! Decision to build the Forts proceeded in the ways you 've consented to and improve our of! Recall there were a several doors to the Fort Widley tunnels Widley do have an atmosphere to.. And learning be explored through miles of tunnel construction was made during WWII, when south... High above Portsmouth completed in 1865 portsdown hill tunnel entrance was built on blue slipper clay take 11. @ icloud.com, is there still an entrance in by the pump room please try again later were you sounds! But that doesnt mean Fort Widley wasnt used during WW2 and Fareham of giants who lived in the year... Found the entrances could you please send me the details about viewing the museum was... Whistling while haunting the Fort Widley do have an atmosphere to them run Fort. Raising awareness of WW2 history in the summer ; Career ; Health ; are being invited in of. The road is currently closed in both directions, between the junctions with Farlington Avenue and Crookhorn.... Mates we been trying to find them no luck via two inclined staircases from the room. Woken by noises and explore that the Palmerston Forts if you are old enough you will recall were. Persisting, of giants who lived in the ways you 've consented to improve! During WW2 ) has announced that its probate Records collection on the Gosport of. Live.Co.Uk if wan na email me instead & quot ; for safety up. Full accounts you tell me where the other entrance is please Something went wrong, please try later! Residents include a man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the Fort tunnels.
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