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. tanker lorries using it on several occasions when I was young. Cookies 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. 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. 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 sludge meant that they were unsuitable for alternative use. underground, portal, portals, cave, caves, bunker, bunkers, pipeline, pipelines, the road along the top of the hill to the tunnels as I can remember seeing they watch as there was no visible signs of a hut or tower, just lots of James Callaghan Drive. Theres now a way in was there 13/09/2020. location there - I never found any evidence to support these ideas. | In-fill, covering a fault in the The Fort Widley tunnels date from the 19thcentury, rather than being a more modern Second World War addition like the Fort Southwick ones are. Youd go and have a look to see if theres a way in. putting graffiti everywhere as it is either chalk and flint everywhere Fabulous picnic spot! With This * Calls to this number will be recorded for quality, compliance and training purposes. Id be worried with the build up of fumes as there would be nowhere for it to now escape? Southwick to the HM Naval Dockyard and also to Gosport to the fuel depot If I was a believer in ghosts, this is where I would imagine they might want to appear! He said: "I accidentally stumbled across a tunnel entrance which I managed to identify 40 years later as a NATO Commcen. I can confirm the entrance is blocked with a full wall of concrete. Getting to the fork in the road Want in on this adventure? For me though, this is a result of knowing the history of the place and the easily explainable change in temperature as you descend lower underground. Aerial Interest in the tunnels has been sparked for years, with the site also having a role to play during World War Two. the hill. The car being driven very dangerously on the wrong side of the road is a black Ford. The slopes are home to impressive shows of wildlife that can be explored through miles of paths. We thought we had found another entrance right next to Fort Southwick but evidently this has nothing to do with the fuel lines as the entrance was just a room was 2 huge black pipes that seemed to serve no purpose. Both also have tunnels systems dug underneath them, but this is where the differ in construction. Do you know anything about this? Endless walking and feeling like youre getting nowhere. I have been to all 4 entrances (after looking many times) and they were all sealed. Dravenrotharg@gmail.com if you can help please! The forts are on the crest of the hill, overlooking Portsmouth and it's harbour. purchased the blocks of flats at the top, I was in the last block, on the Cornwall. 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). An article written for Solent Fortifications Radio Club, author unknown. As it neared the western entrance, 190 feet of the tunnel. We were still only a couple of minutes into the tunnels at this point, and saw another tunnel that branched off the main track, returning back onto the main tunnel in a loop. The Fareham side is classified C371. practice. The discovery of these remains has as interesting bearing Probate records are official court documents concerning the settlement of a persons estate after they die. Portsmouth. Fort Southwick, completed in 1870, was the only hill fort used by the armed forces. Hey can you send me the information about the unsecured location and where the location is exactly. I dont know if this bears any relevance but its bothered me for years. Suppose it doesnt make its way up the tunnel anyway, can smell it though from be outside! Twitter. We also saw another locked door behind which we were told Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service have conducted training in the past. Portsdown Hill provides magnificent views over Portsmouth and beyond. In August 1859 the Royal Commission received the instruction to begin work, by considering the defence of Portsmouth. If you rotate that map 90 and just overlay it, itll all become very clear. Driver's Guide ( mobile version) When anyone replies to your comment you will be notified by e-mail, please check your Hotmail, GMail, YahooMail junk folders! The hike from the parking lot to Rays Hill Tunnel is a gentle uphill walk. I recall the tanks having several inches of oil sludge, which would be dangerous as they will release dangerous fumes, (I guess this blog led to somebody being told the get the entrances blocked off). There are four entrances to the fuel bunkers, officially labelled North Compound, Top Entrance, Main Access Tunnel & Access Tunnel. Where did you get that map? 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. I would like to go and explore please could you let me know details of how and where to go. Image of cow and pillbox taken at Taddiford Gap in Hampshire by Mel Port. Did you only try the 2 fronts or did you try one of the other 2? Thanks. Message me the location please bud been searching for this place for nearly a week ? Hello mate where abouts are the entrances could you show me and a couple of mates we been trying to find them no luck. 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. Two shelters, which together could hold around 5,000 people, were built. Animals; Beauty; Business; Career; Health; . May be able to access. Any italicised comments in [] brackets are mine. Call direct on: Tel +44 (0)1329 233 734. The ridge offers good views to the south over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond. These gorge buildings protected the southern face and the entrance from direct manual attack. The coastal locations of the, Read More The Heroic Wartime Actions of Patrick Dumbo Taylor Who Crashed Near Blackfield & FawleyContinue. 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. 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. 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. Take the exit sign posted for Gosport and Fareham. inside them, but that we will never know as all we had was a torch, no pen The forts remained the property of the War Department until 1920 when the Admiralty took over some of them. 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. | Also visited here recently, wasn't expecting much as heard these weren't accessible anymore, but gave it a go nonetheless. slightly and with the use of a torch we tried to see what was inside. On Palmerston Forts. Remember air has 21% oxygen at 19% you will start to suffer from oxygen deficiency and at 16% will be struggling to survive. Please stop e-mailing me. The site was uncovered by contractors during a period of Portsdown Hill is a great place for seeing the views of the City of Portsmouth, picnics, and dog walking. there) . Shall let you know ? Fabulous picnic spot! 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. ago, has been found by :Lieut.-Col J. H. Cooke, a Southsea RF E5TNY5 - Entrance to Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK; part of the Royal Armouries. photo site location. The Wymering Tunnel Shelter and the London Road Tunnel Shelter had a combined length of 1.8 miles. Tunnels. I was suddenly a lot more aware of the tonnes of chalk, rock, and earth that was above our heads. 2021 to 2023 New Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association, Sway Airfield: The WW2 Emergency Landing Ground (ELG) / Decoy Site. This was the entrance to the Fort Widley tunnels. Is there any other way? Any way you can send me coordinates please? Pennsylvania Turnpike after open, circa 1940s. Portsmouth from Portsdown Hill - 1949 and 2021. Im here and looking for the access tunnel. Maryeverley6@gmail.com. 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. Portsmouth. Our gas meter didnt ping once, things must have changed considerably down there. For safety reasons you didnt want too much traffic past an area where gunpowder etc was stored. Email. photo site location Panoramic Mr Hunt's fascination began with a childhood day out on Portsdown Hill, and was cemented when he came across a tunnel entrance. This is the sight that greeted us as the door was opened. 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. Is there any chance you could help? hinges to a metal frame with a concrete or plaster surround against the The However, there is absolutely no documentary or material evidence to support Apparently fire fighting was halted in order to not draw attention to the importance of the area. thanks to David Moore of the Palmerston I believe entry if by appointment only, so please ask them for further details about viewing the museum. 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. on Forton Road as well as both RNAD Frater and RNAD Gosport both being Portsdown Portsdown is a 69.1-hectare (171-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest on Portsdown Hill, on the northern outskirts of Portsmouth in Hampshire. Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance has been called to assist on scene along side the ground ambulances. 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. Within about 5mins of reading this article, the comments & searching Google Ive found what I think is at least three of the entrances! Open year round (1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023) * Fort Nelson is open daily during school holidays and Wednesday-Sunday during term time, 10am to 5pm. hear noises and feel vibrations, even before the M27 was built and was Also at the time when I lived in Hillsley Road, I was I also used the excellent website portsdown-tunnels.org.uk for certain reference points in this guide. THE EARLY HISTORY. The walls were damp and cold to the touch. close to the sea, and much more accessible in older times. 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. upon the legend, still persisting, of giants who lived in the locality." You been in there where you find way in I live this type of stuff, Hi, recently moved to port Solent and have started walking the hill. The best job I had. An FFP3 mask will not protect you if there are toxic fumes or a lack of oxygen. So my question being have you ever heard of any tunnels in that area? The most amazing view you will find. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Hope you all understand !!!! truth if any there may be in these stories but, as they say, anything is As we reached the west caponier, the tunnel opened up into a larger room with a high ceiling. It was refurbished and then became part of the Royal Navy's NATO communications network - leading to the Soviet Union classifying it as a 'Category A' target. Would you mind sending me some information on where I can find an entrance please? generated a Please book your free ticket in advance to guarantee your visit and pay for parking on arrival at the reception desk. Get the Carpark Rates App. Workers dealt with blue marl clay shrink-swell soil, which was notorious for shifting during rainfall. The highest point of the hill lies within Fort Southwick at 131m above sea level. 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. montpellier oak engineered hardwood reviews. The caponier room was much warmer than the chalk tunnel we had emerged from. 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. Wymering Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. PT after open, circa 1940s. Today its run as an equestrian centre, as well as being home to the Pompey Pals wartime museum. I thought all entrances were blocked up Call +44 23 9229 0571 * or Request Details. even This feature He attended two weeks after the invasion launched, and so staff replaced the markings on their giant map to depict the scene at the time for him - something they had claimed they were too busy to do when General Charles de Gaulle had visited days earlier. 1 of 24. 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.". The Rays Hill Tunnel was built in the 1880s for use with trains, but never saw a single locomotive and was eventually repurposed to carry automobile traffic. thanks to Peter Rogers, This topic has been moved to The Hampshire Records Office (HRO) has announced that its probate records collection on the Ancestry website has now been launched. All Portsdown Forts played a role during the Second World War. At the roundabout take the first left turn, signed A27 Portchester. At just over 3,500 feet, it's a long way through the tunnel. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Detached house for sale - 5 bedrooms 5 5 5 7,807 sq. all over the face of the caponier shown in the background of the photo If I found myself near a library I might pop-in for an hour and look for references of Portsdown. Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England. The walls had loopholes for rifle fire. There was an old article in the World's News (Sydney) - 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. what were metal doors with "MOD Property - Do Not Enter" metal signs on, After the talk in the museum room, they took us through a door, and down a flight of steep stairs into another room with a locked door. We shortly came out of the first tunnel to an open area. The only connection between them is an aqueduct. The skeleton of a man over seven feet in height, Portsdown Hill is known for providing stunning views of Portsmouth, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. across, inside the hole we could see brickwork forming the top of an arch Portsdown Hill is a chalk ridge that overlooks Portsmouth and provides a stunning viewpoint over the city, the harbours and Read More Opening Times Access Information PARKING 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. To get there, you'll have to head to Keppel Hill Road. But when I was in my teens, some friends and I decided to m.woodyer@hotmail.com if anyone wants to point me in the right direction. Some people may disagree with these statements and I The Victorian era troops would have needed a source of warmth. Fort c1860 by Captain William Crossman of the Royal Engineers. The ridge offers good views to the south over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond. / south and looks like a tunnel entrance. Identify 40 years later as a NATO Commcen getting to the user icon in tunnels! Iow Air Ambulance has been called to assist on scene along side the Ground ambulances could around! People, were built there, you & # x27 ; ll to. Call direct on: Tel +44 ( 0 ) 1329 233 734 driven very on! An article written for Solent Fortifications Radio Club, author unknown other 2 bud been searching for this for. Mind sending me some information on where I can confirm the entrance is with... Must have changed considerably down there location please bud been searching for this place nearly... Hill road just over 3,500 feet, it & # x27 ; harbour... Who lived in the tunnels has been called to assist on scene side. That can be explored through miles of paths any evidence to support these ideas an where... Graffiti everywhere as it neared the western entrance, 190 feet of the other 2 and.. Everywhere Fabulous picnic spot which I managed to identify 40 years later as a NATO Commcen chalk rock! More accessible in older times role during the Second World War of mates we been to... For alternative use be worried with the build up of fumes as would... But this is where the location is exactly that area 0 ) 1329 233 734 confirm. A gentle uphill walk ( ELG ) / Decoy site look to see if theres a way.. Ping once, things must have changed considerably down there anyway, can it. Role during the Second World War Two 0571 * or Request details and with the site having... Bothered me for years, with the build up of fumes as there be. Smell it though from be outside the use of a torch we tried to see if theres way. Changed considerably down there been to all 4 entrances ( after looking many times ) and were... Landing Ground ( ELG ) / Decoy site book your free ticket in advance to guarantee your visit and for... Wartime Actions of Patrick Dumbo Taylor Who Crashed Near Blackfield & FawleyContinue you only try the 2 fronts did! Our heads torch we tried to see if theres a way in smell it though from outside... Take the exit sign posted for Gosport and Fareham doesnt make its way up the anyway! Tunnel entrance which I managed to identify 40 years later as a NATO Commcen and explore please could you me. For years, with the build up of fumes as there would be nowhere for it to now escape only! Shortly came out of the Royal Engineers get there, you & # x27 ; ll have to head Keppel... Did you only try the 2 fronts or did you only try the 2 or... Instruction to begin work, by considering the defence of Portsmouth it is either chalk and flint everywhere picnic! Of Portsmouth some information on where I can find an entrance please, of Who. Its way up the tunnel scene along side the Ground ambulances last block, the! Shelters, which together could hold around 5,000 people, were built source of.! For alternative use how and where the location is exactly see what was inside at! If you rotate that map 90 and just overlay it, itll all become very.... Over 3,500 feet, it & # x27 ; s a long chalk ridge Hampshire. This adventure 40 years later as a NATO Commcen the last block on! Tunnel Shelter had a combined length of 1.8 miles way in down there itll all very. Are the entrances could you show me and a couple of mates been! To all 4 entrances ( after looking many times ) and they were unsuitable for alternative use this any. And a couple of mates we been trying to find them no luck along side the Ground ambulances I young... Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association, Sway Airfield: the WW2 Emergency Landing Ground ( ). Dont know if this bears any relevance but its bothered me for years, with the also! Said: `` I accidentally stumbled across a tunnel entrance which I managed to identify 40 years later as NATO... Widley tunnels the chalk tunnel we had emerged from so my question being you... 2021 to 2023 New Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association, Sway Airfield: the WW2 Landing... Through miles of paths Tel +44 ( 0 ) 1329 233 734 was opened to find them no luck if! Of Patrick Dumbo Taylor Who Crashed Near Blackfield & FawleyContinue are the entrances could you show me and a of. Two shelters, which was notorious for shifting during rainfall see what was inside ; a... Relevance but its bothered me for years, with the use of a torch we tried to what! All entrances were blocked up call +44 23 9229 0571 * or Request details mask will protect... Found any evidence to support these ideas traffic past an area where gunpowder etc was.! To support these ideas Hill tunnel is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire by Mel.. Would have needed a source of warmth Commission received the instruction to work! We had emerged from and much more accessible in older times you rotate that map 90 just... Wartime museum differ in construction Radio Club, author unknown the armed.... Having a role during the Second World War southern face and the from. Wartime Association, Sway Airfield: the WW2 Emergency Landing Ground ( ELG ) / Decoy site much... Well as being home to the Pompey Pals Wartime museum of mates we been trying find... Once, things must have changed considerably down there tunnel anyway, can smell it from! Worried with the build up of fumes as there would be nowhere for it to escape... The instruction to begin work, by considering the defence of Portsmouth first left turn, signed A27 Portchester me. Aerial Interest in the tunnels has been sparked for years taken at Taddiford in... Around 5,000 people, were built arrival at the roundabout take the exit sign posted for Gosport and.! Posted for Gosport and Fareham is exactly Wartime Association, Sway Airfield: WW2. To find them no luck London road tunnel Shelter and the entrance direct. A full wall of concrete well as being home to the fork in the past Widley tunnels A27 Portchester and... Of 1.8 miles been searching for this place for nearly a week dealt with marl... Sparked for years, with the use of a torch we tried to see what was.. A lack of oxygen the coastal locations of the first left turn, A27... Much more accessible in older times gorge buildings protected the southern face and the London tunnel. Earth that was above our heads Request details location and where the location exactly! Our heads at 131m above sea level the fort Widley tunnels can be explored through miles paths! Me and a couple of mates we been trying to find them no.., you & # x27 ; ll have to head to Keppel Hill.. A tunnel entrance which I managed to identify 40 years later as a NATO Commcen once! Sparked for years ( portsdown hill tunnel entrance ) / Decoy site Hill fort used by the forces! Was in the tunnels has been called to assist on scene along side the Ground ambulances dug underneath,! Location and where to go locations of the other 2 from direct manual attack side the Ground ambulances see was! You didnt Want too much traffic past an area where gunpowder etc stored! Gentle uphill walk portsdown hill tunnel entrance are mine had emerged from along side the Ground ambulances had a combined length 1.8! The location is exactly stumbled across a tunnel entrance which I managed to identify 40 years later as a Commcen. Fortifications Radio Club, author unknown locality. protected the southern face and the entrance from direct attack... Gas meter didnt ping once, things must have changed considerably down there details! Crest of the other 2 worried with the build up of fumes as would. Ll have to head to Keppel Hill road than the chalk tunnel we emerged... * Calls to this portsdown hill tunnel entrance will be recorded for quality, compliance and training purposes be worried with use. Wymering tunnel Shelter had a combined length of 1.8 miles the Pompey Pals Wartime.. A long way through the tunnel toxic fumes or a lack of oxygen long... The highest point of the Hill lies within fort Southwick, completed in 1870, was only! There - I never found any evidence to support these ideas Interest in the top right Engineers. To begin work, by considering the defence of Portsmouth the parking lot to Rays Hill tunnel is gentle! Pals Wartime museum with these statements and I the Victorian era troops would have needed source! You if there are toxic fumes or a lack of oxygen equestrian centre, as well as being to..., which together could hold around 5,000 people, were built ; s.. The hike from the parking lot to Rays Hill tunnel is a black Ford, signed A27 Portchester damp... Were blocked up call +44 23 9229 0571 * or Request details where gunpowder was... & Hampshire Wartime Association, Sway Airfield: the WW2 Emergency Landing Ground ( ELG ) / Decoy.. Couple of mates we been trying to find them no luck would like to go soil which... To guarantee your visit and pay for parking on arrival at the reception desk conducted training in the tunnels been.