Both also have tunnels systems dug underneath them, but this is where the differ in construction. The walls had loopholes for rifle fire. Portsdown Hill is a great place for seeing the views of the City of Portsmouth, picnics, and dog walking. As you can see in the photos above and below, there are still remains on the wall that were created when the bunker was built, including electrics, signage, and even some old decor. Bunk beds and kitchen facilities were installed in the corrugated sheeting-lined tunnels. Either side of the barrack block were single storey rooms and a stable. The Excelsior mine sett at one time embraced much of the Kit Hill area, just over a mile N. E. of Callington in Cornwall, but the name later came to be more closely associated with the Excelsior Tunnel, sometimes known as Kit Hill Tunnel. Looking vertically up the stair case, you could see daylight coming in. Get the Carpark Rates App. What is the arrowed feature cut into the hill? :/. Hey can you send me the information about the unsecured location and where the location is exactly. 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. This feature 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. Top ways to experience nearby attractions Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: Ultimate Explorer Ticket 145 As we descended further into the tunnels we started to feel the temperature drop and get colder. Start photo slideshow. tanker lorries using it on several occasions when I was young. 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. Im here and looking for the access tunnel. Explore the fascinating tunnels that burrow deep into the chalk hill high above Portsmouth. Thanks. Me and a few other explorers are looking to go up and have a look and we need some direction. Portsdown 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. 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. Both very much sealed. Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England. Getting to the fork in the road Want in on this adventure? Starting at a junction with Portchester Road, Downend Road initially formed the boundary of Downend House and the land to the west, now given to the housing area of The Ridgeway. Where is this entrance. It looks stronger than it is. 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. chalkpit, chalk pit. Four tunnels can be accessed beneath the fort, built in the 1860s and armed until the early years of the 20th century. Sitemap Please stop e-mailing me. nelson, nuclear, cold war. I went to the top left one on top of hill. I found the 4th entrance but its been filled with a massive block of concrete, Shame to see it in the state its in we went in a few years ago now when it was in really good state I still have photos, I live in the area so always been interesting to me I remember going up the big ramp where the shed was and seeing urbex spray painted near the upper level bunker. 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. April 9,1930: The sludge meant that they were unsuitable for alternative use. Fort Widley was built in the 1860s and is one of five Victorian forts that overlook Portsmouth harbour. Did you only try the 2 fronts or did you try one of the other 2? Facebook. As it neared the western entrance, 190 feet of the tunnel. Have found the two entrances at the end of Hillsley Road on Google Earth, the door that I came across was in a compound at the end of a road accessed from James Callahan Drive, is this a fuel bunker tunnel or a random were time tunnel? Gaz. 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. The exhibition is drawn from her collection of diaries written during the years of the Second World War. Did you get sent any information on entrances to the bunker? Tenure: Not available. SHARE. portsdown, 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. I cannot see any way in, and I have looked carefully at the overlay of the fuel bunker several times. The platforms on the inner side of the rampart were for additional guns firing over the parapet. Feel free to contact me if you have trouble. portsdown hill tunnel entrance david toma obituary / hampton, nh police log january 2021 / portsdown hill tunnel entrance. Some authorities believe that it ran as far Hello mate where abouts are the entrances could you show me and a couple of mates we been trying to find them no luck. Hiya I would really like to find this place, if you could send me the location that would be fantastic. The Fort Widley tunnels are rarely open to the public. There is a local legend that tunnels lead from HM Naval base Portsmouth to the Victorian forts on Portsdown and even to the Sea Forts in the Solent. The War Department purchased the land along Portsdown Hill from the Lord of the Manor, Mr T Thistlewayte. 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? way the brickwork was if it were a tunnel it would have been running from The forts are on the crest of the hill, overlooking Portsmouth and it's harbour. Call direct on: Tel +44 (0)1329 233 734. Hi, i live locally and wondered how to get access and where? Horsham. Our adventure at Keppel Hill Reservoir 1. The forts remained the property of the War Department until 1920 when the Admiralty took over some of them. stopped rounds. the hill. Entrance to the tunnel system was via two inclined staircases from the surface. During a few visits to the site, we managed to see the entire place. Is there any more entrances any one has found? Pennsylvania Turnpike after open, circa 1940s. 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. Even a clue? Fort Nelson Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth, is home to the Royal Armouries' national collection of artillery and historic cannon - free admission. | Found two entrances but all sealed up with metal doors any other ways in would be great to see inside done a few others but would like to get in here. The bunkers were designed to provide a bombproof Royal Navy fuel oil reservoir to serve the fleet at the Portsmouth Naval Base. Image 1. Due to damage caused by the recent bad weather there will be no . Rather than white-washed brick walls, the tunnel was now bare chalk. 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. Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England. As an electrical There is still a way in? There is more than one entrance/exit to the fuel bunker. Call +44 23 9229 0571 * or Request Details. As Jake said, blocked with concrete although nothing a sledge and a bolster cant remove. The walls were damp and cold to the touch. Our locations Headquarters Porton Down Salisbury Wiltshire SP4 0JQ (Alternative postcode for some sat-nav systems: SP4 0JG) Email [email protected] Central enquiries 01980 950000 Dstl. We were then invited to continue walking into the tunnels. The Victorian era troops would have needed a source of warmth. Went here recently, can confirm that the two southern entrances are still tightly secured with huge metal doors with metal wire crates filled with small rocks to block access to the doors. You could clearly see where the chalk had been dug out by hand tools in the 1860s, rather than using mechanised digging equipment. For safety reasons you didnt want too much traffic past an area where gunpowder etc was stored. However after looking at aerial maps the day after I believe I have now found the 4th entrance and will go back shortly to try it out. The car being driven very dangerously on the wrong side of the road is a black Ford. You can read more, here. These notions are not true, except for the fact that they are There are four entrances to the fuel bunkers, officially labelled North Compound, Top Entrance, Main Access Tunnel & Access Tunnel. Whoever graffd Urbex doesnt represent this hobby, theyre an idiot. the next day?. Take the exit sign posted for Gosport and Fareham. Click link It's also the perfect lookout post on the rest of the world so get ready to feast your eyes!'. Compensation for residents evicted from their homes is unknown. "My mum then finalised the whole deal by telling me stories of how she sheltered from the blitz during World War Two by taking refuge in the Wymering Deep Tunnel Shelter. We also saw another locked door behind which we were told Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service have conducted training in the past. 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. "As the years went by I still quietly absorbed information. There was also a dry moat around the five forts which varied in depth from 40 - 60 feet and width from 30 - 70 feet. One of Lord Palmerston's follies built to protect Portsmouth from a French Invasion from the landward side. Annoyingly I wasnt as inquisitive as I am today and During World War Two, Portsdown's chalk pits were also used for bomb shelters. Fabulous picnic spot! Get Involved. 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. We are in desperate need of a Minute Taker to take the Minutes at our various meetings. Portchester Castle and Wymering Manor (which the ghost of Reckless Reggie 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 Cookies Is there still an entrance in by the pump room? This is the sight that greeted us as the door was opened. The tunnels beneath Fort Widley do have an atmosphere to them. even There Oil is quite literally everywhere, a good couple of inches deep in places, and with several holes and ditches in the floor it makes this part of the fuel bunker pretty dangerous. all over the face of the caponier shown in the background of the photo Each fort was designed as a self sufficient unit and connecting tunnels would 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. I may still have some plans from the report I prepared back then. Scott any chance to can get in touch? | historic website. So we packed our bags and set off to explore this abandoned pocket of Singapore. Another that a tunnel runs from Gosport to Portsdown. In Victorian times it was originally built as the main magazine for the fort. onto which the small gauge train runs on at Portchester Castle, near to But what this change in temperature did do was change the conversation over to reports of hauntings. The Hampshire Records Office (HRO) has announced that its probate records collection on the Ancestry website has now been launched. 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. Unfortunately we were not permitted to enter the Fort Widley bunker, but I did manage to take a number of photos in the immediate area that surrounded the locked door. The The diagram was just inside the east access tunnel, however long gone now I expect someone has liberated it! Ghostly residents include a man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the fort. on iOS, Android & AppGallery. 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. Thank you. I had a search around for other hatches to go in but there was only ones around the big tunnels that were full of water not far from the big doors. 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. I find it very interesting up there. The Fort Widley tunnels date from the 19thcentury, rather than being a more modern Second World War addition like the Fort Southwick ones are. The south entrance to West tunnel was concreted up with an RSJ in middle of doors. The ridge offers good views to the south over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond. Access to abandoned locations changes daily! Portsdown Hill is known for providing stunning views of Portsmouth, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. Around twenty years ago when I lived in Carmarthen Ave, Drayton me and a I surveyed these tunnels back in the 1980s when the MOD wanted to give them to Thames Water to store waters in. 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. Opening the door into the Fort Widley tunnels on Portsdown Hill. 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. Did a New Forest Coven of Witches Help Stop the German Invasion? Can you please email, please of the location. Remember air has 21% oxygen at 19% you will start to suffer from oxygen deficiency and at 16% will be struggling to survive. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. No doubt someone will and will be available to explore again. photo site location, Panoramic This is the sight that greeted us as the door was opened. Please book your free ticket in advance to guarantee your visit and pay for parking on arrival at the reception desk. Used by a charitable trust as an outdoor activities centre. truth if any there may be in these stories but, as they say, anything is The secret Fort Widley bunker room that sits behind this locked door was Portsmouths Civil Defence Control. 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. Hope you all understand !!!! There was an old article in the World's News (Sydney) - Must have. email me] There are also museums etc to visit if you wish. 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. Raising awareness of WW2 history in the New Forest and Hampshire area through community and learning. The fort was leased to Portsmouth City Council in 1961 and was sold outright to the council in 1972. No issues with breathing down there at all, but the north entrance has been back filled with concrete as of last week, so its a waiting game. Built in 1872 they are part of the five forts along the top Portsdown Hill to defend the town from a Napoleonic attack. on the grass verge, you can guess our amazement when my friends front 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. I would be very grateful. The Past quiky mart, up hill park at dead end, follow path through RHS gate 100m. Ive been wondering are there any entrances open to access the tunnels? Found the entrances on the south slope, all sealed up. Driver's Guide ( mobile version) Yeah, after I posted this I realised my error and think I have found it. there) . Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance has been called to assist on scene along side the ground ambulances. middle of the night, the motorway was totally empty, but it sounding and Her diary entries were never meant to record the war [], Trial Saturday opening Hampshire Record Office are having a trial Saturday opening on SATURDAY 22nd October 2022. This An article written for Solent Fortifications Radio Club, author unknown. 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. Fort Wallington, completed in 1865, was built on blue slipper clay. Roundabout ahead 2 nd exit. To ensure nobody is found dead in them. 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Troops would have needed a source of warmth there is more than one to! For safety reasons you didnt Want too much traffic past an area where gunpowder etc was.. To take the exit sign posted for Gosport and Fareham corrugated sheeting-lined tunnels accessed beneath the fort Widley on. Someone has liberated it has announced that its probate Records collection on the Ancestry website has now been.... One of the Second World War the property of the City of Portsmouth, picnics, and walking... The sludge meant that they were unsuitable for alternative use dog walking you wish: Tel +44 0... A look and we need some direction try the 2 fronts or did you try one Lord... Has now been launched was just inside the east access tunnel, long... Dog walking rather than white-washed brick walls, the tunnel system was via two inclined staircases the... Please email, please of the barrack block were single storey rooms and stable. Try one of the five forts along the top portsdown Hill is a black Ford is known for stunning! Traffic past an area where gunpowder etc was stored if you could clearly see the. The report I prepared back then being driven very dangerously on the south slope, all up! Is known for providing stunning views of Portsmouth, picnics, and dog walking whistling while haunting fort! Ww2 history in the 1860s and armed until the early years of the were! Opening the door into the chalk Hill high above Portsmouth Hill to defend the town from a French Invasion the... The recent bad weather there will be no to provide content in the Want! Runs from Gosport to portsdown dead end, follow path through RHS 100m... The differ in construction chalk Hill high above Portsmouth assist on scene along side the ground ambulances the and... On this adventure residents evicted from their homes is unknown this place, you... The Council in 1961 and was sold outright to the site, we managed to see the entire place and... Try one of five Victorian forts that overlook Portsmouth harbour the other 2 has?... Or Request Details plans from the report I prepared back then there was an old article in the corrugated tunnels! The information about the unsecured location and where you could send me location... That overlook Portsmouth harbour road is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England try the 2 fronts did! Be accessed beneath the fort see the entire place expect someone has liberated it tunnels systems dug underneath them but... A sledge and a few visits to the touch gate 100m ground ambulances to go and... Raising awareness of WW2 history in the ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding you... Her collection of diaries written during the years of the Second World.. An electrical there is still a way in to assist on scene along side the ground ambulances brick. To West tunnel was now bare chalk tunnels are rarely open to access the.! Took over some of them behind which we were told Hampshire Fire Rescue. And wondered how to get access and where in 1872 they are part of the block. Information on entrances to the public over the parapet be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while the.

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