Eyeing down on Eastney. In the 19th Century, it was feared that the French would invade the southern coast of England. During a few visits to the site, we managed to see the entire place. Due to having only one entrance, this tunnel couldn't rely on a draft like the western system did. 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. Entrance to Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK; part of the Royal Armouries. Regular readers will know that as well as London, my father also took very many photos whilst cycling around the country during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Jan 28, 2018. Also visited here recently, wasn't expecting much as heard these weren't accessible anymore, but gave it a go nonetheless. During the 1930's 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. Portsdown (locally referred to as 'The Hill') is located to the north of Portsmouth UK. . The end of the dual carriageway at Gravel Hill in 1977. EXTERIOR: the main entrances, barrack block with internal courtyard, stores and stable blocks are positioned on the south side facing Portsdown Hill road. . The skeleton of a man over seven feet in height, who probably belonged to a giant race that lived from 3000 to 4000 years ago, has been found by :Lieut.-Col J. H. Cooke, a Southsea archaeologist, in a tumulus during excavations on Portsdown Hill near Portsmouth. . Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. View Larger Map Portsdown Hill - Fort Southwick . . Some time after, the portal was completely covered in tons of chalk, forming a slope about . Both photos have the electricity cables on the right disappearing over the edge of the hill, and in the distance the profile of the Isle of Wight is the same. Fascinating collection positioned on the top of portsdown hill with amazing views. A search nearby found an antenna in a tree. I remember in the 1960s seeing the main entrance which was bricked-up then. (Nice to prove my hunches correct… the nodes are closer together approaching the smog of London and Portsmouth). There are 11 rooms on either side of the tunnel each approximately 8 metres in length. A company which specialises in explosives & counter-terrorism, we gave the area an extremely wide berth! Its better seen here then Node 8. Please note: Museum-only visitors. Air was pumped through a pipe attached to the side of the unit (which was laying on the floor next to it) and through a hole in the side of the tunnel, just . picnic. . development. EXTERIOR: the main entrances, barrack block with internal courtyard, stores and stable blocks are positioned on the south side facing Portsdown Hill road. North-west tunnel is brick lined. Back in 2008 my fellow explorers and I set out to report on the Portland Underground Hospital. tunnel. Fort Nelson is situated to the West of Fort Southwick, and forms part of a line along Portsdown Hill with forts . You are now directly above the London Road Deep Tunnel Shelter. . The railway tunnel (Fareham Tunnel) under the hill on which this area is built made it a lot easier to develop many years on, including one building called Tunnel Farm. Two shelters, which together could hold around 5,000 people, were built. About. railway. Behind the caponier position are sunken embrasures for mortars. Step back in time and experience a Victorian Christmas in the garrison kitchen at Fort Nelson. There is a door from the access tunnel into the centre of each room with the rooms being subdivided into two by a central partition wall. There is also a pub, the Churchillian. Portsdown Hill Road Fareham, Portsmouth PO17 6AN England. It was said he was taken off to the Tower of London and that was that. The access tunnel is 100 metres in length with two airlocks evenly spaced along it. donation. I also need a new laptop. well me and the mrs finally got out last night to our first ever explore and visited the now unsealed ports down naval fuel bunker, we found and opening in the fence surrounding the entrance then was greeted by the wonderful sight of the tunnel entrance, we had to slide a very heavy steel door and concrete block to gain entrance which led straight to a very steep slope down into the tunnel so . My God did it take a while. Portsdown Hill is part of the geologic feature called the Portsdown Anticline. They face inland, which to some people looks the wrong way. Portsdown Hill: Wonderful views and free museum - See 343 traveller reviews, 48 candid photos, and great deals for Portsmouth, UK, at Tripadvisor. Tyrell-Drakes, descendant of Sir Francis Drake). Portsmouth Harbour is a 1,264.2-hectare (3,124-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Portsmouth and Gosport in Hampshire. Jun 7, 2017. For many people Portsmouth is a stopping off point on the way to other more glamorous locations. A by pass tunnel at Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill. Portsdown Hill. He was often seen about on a bike, and one day was caught on Portsdown Hill with a telescope and a sophisticated radio. Through the gates at the bottom of the hill (keep your speed down) Fort Nelson was built in the 1860s on Portsdown Hill above Portsmouth. tunnel. On the western side of the fort is a ravelin designed to cover approaches from the landward side. A by pass tunnel at Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill. century. We visited on a cold, blustery . Full view. Bunk beds and kitchen facilities were installed in the corrugated sheeting-lined tunnels. Make sure that you book in . #1. Back then, opposite the RAF Chilmark southern site & topside bunkers was the International School for Security and Explosives Education (ISSEE). Solent Infant School is sited on the southern slopes of Portsdown Hill, to the North of the City of Portsmouth, in the Drayton and Farlington Ward. . Once a boggy marsh prone to flooding, the vast natural harbour attracted . East Glory Cottage stood down the path, near the bend in the road. transfer tunnel connecting Eastney and Budds Farm sewage works at Havant. Well worth a visit if there was an admission charge so with Free entrance!!! Fort Nelson prices. It was the mid-nineties when the Portland Underground Hospital was uncovered and open . Back then, opposite the RAF Chilmark southern site & topside bunkers was the International School for Security and Explosives Education (ISSEE). You may need to wait to be admitted. It is a purpose built three form entry Infant School, in an exciting, but highly practical building which opened in October 1994 and won the best new building in Portsmouth award in 1995. Here a worker inspects the new tunnel entrance. View Larger Map Portsdown Hill - Fort Widley. The magazine was constructed as a single barrel vaulted room, 57' X 27', for the storage of 2,500 barrels of powder. The second deep shelter of its type in Portsmouth it was designed to hold 2'500 people with a contingency for another 1'500 at absolute full capacity. A walk from Portsmouth Harbour along the Solent Way. Sunset view from Portsdown Hill at dusk over Paulsgrove Lake and Port Solent and the Spnnaker Tower in the distance, . The people are possibly making their way to the London Road deep tunnel shelter which is 700 yards further up the hill. Entrance to the tunnel system was via two inclined staircases from the surface. The entrance to Fort Nelson. Entrance to Langstone harbour - Eastney pumping station background . MANHATTAN — The East 37th Street entrance to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel reopened on Wednesday. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. More details of the fort and its extensive tunnel network on the Portsdown tunnels site, or from Subterranea Brittanica Fort Widley The second easternmost of the Portsdown forts, part used as a riding stable. . The forts are on the crest of the hill, overlooking Portsmouth and it's harbour. The museum's galleries and tunnel will be open on 25 & 26 September, however, there will be no access to the outdoor areas including the Artillery Hall, the Parade and ramparts. Access to the rest is open by guided tour. Unfortunately, the main portion of the complex has collapsed, leaving only the two staircases, one of which is now blocked by debris. Just beautiful. Go back south to Portsdown Hill Road and cross to the south side. Aerial view from the south-east. Portsdown hill runs from Fareham right across to Bedhampton. Several generations of Portsmouth people have given the nickname 'Palmerston's Folly' to the Victorian forts on Portsdown Hill. To the back of the hill lies the countryside of Southwick, Hambledon, Denmead, and right out to Petersfield. The castle used to guard the eastern entrance to the Solent. This museum in a fort above Portsmouth on Portsdown Hill is well worth a visit . Description; History The Fort Widley tunnels are rarely open to the public. Astonishingly it's been almost a decade since I first explored the underground workings of RAF Chilmark in 2010. Visits cannot be pre-booked, and admission will be subject to capacity at the time of arrival. For a mid-week post, I am visiting the location of one of those photos, which tells an interesting story of how land has been reclaimed . Fort Nelson, in the civil parish of Boarhunt in the English county of Hampshire, is one of five defensive forts built on the summit of Portsdown Hill in the 1860s, overlooking the important naval base of Portsmouth.It is now part of the Royal Armouries, housing their collection of artillery, and a Grade I Listed Building. The tunnels are bulit into the surrounding white chalk hills. Following a fire caused by vandalism in 1988 it was reclaimed by the MOD and sold to Hampshire County Council for £50,000. Visitors are welcome to go inside the tunnel and explore the rich history of this fort. [2] Contents. Astonishingly it's been almost a decade since I first explored the underground workings of RAF Chilmark in 2010. First brought to our attention when we were only young, barely teenagers I believe. Fort Nelson and the Royal Armouries museum can be found at Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham, PO17 6AN. picnic. It is 20 minutes from central Southampton and really goes well with a trip to Porchester Castle as they are only 5 minutes apart. On the right, 100m before Fort Southwick by the PORTSMOUTH sign you will notice a private road, follow the road down. Past Skew Road and Porchester Lane crossroads, you are now on James Callaghan Drive. But it's a fascinating place in its own right. The Nelson Monument, nearby on Portsdown Hill. A year or so later a small housing estate stood inside the chalk pit, and no doubt the air-raid shelter would be forgotten for another forty or fifty years, perhaps for ever. Portsdown Hill - Fort Purbrook. The tunnel now widens with four toilet cubicles on the right and the main entrance on the left. Bleddfa, Powys, Wales, UK - Tuesday 21st June 2016 - Severn Trent Water have now started tunnelling at Bleddfa on a 1.8km tunnel bypass alongside the current 73 mile 100 year old Elan Valley Aqueduct that carries water from Mid Wales to the city of Birmingham. So I've finally had the time to make my second report. Hampshire County Council restored it at a cost of £3-4million, and it opened to the public in 1994, becoming part of the Royal Armouries in 1995. . centuries. Cars can now access the tunnel through that entrance on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., MTA . Head Cook Private Dobson and Chief Baker Mrs Blenkinsopp will fire up the original range, which dates back 150 years, to cook up a festive feast. A company which specialises in explosives & counter-terrorism, we gave the area an extremely wide berth! Not […] Portsdown Hill was a great resource for youngsters. It is the only UK city on an island and is bounded by water on all sides. Clearly showing the underground sections. Behind the caponier position are sunken embrasures for mortars. In the 19th century, a tunnel was made here too. Back then, opposite the RAF Chilmark southern site & topside bunkers was the International School for Security and Explosives Education (ISSEE). . The path leading to Miller Drive, by the entrance to the railway tunnel, once lead towards Maylings Farm and the pits surrounding it: it was not a through road. . The entrance to Tommy's camp is the fort's westerly gate. Fort Southwick occupies the high point of the hill and held the water storage tanks for the other forts, feeding them through a brick lined aqueduct. Fort Purbrook lies to the East of Fort Widley, and was originally supported by two small redoubts known as Farlington and Crookhorn, although both have know been demolished. Dec 2011 • Friends. At the Fareham end of the hill is Fort Nelson/Royal Armouries. exhibition. OBSCURED Another tunnel entrance now lost in the undergrowth on the slopes of Portsdown Hill When the air raid sirens sounded, people would flee their homes for the night and make their way to the . This is the view of Portsmouth from Portsdown Hill in 1949: The same view in 2021: There are a couple of details that confirm that this is the same view. Entrance to Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK; part of the Royal Armouries. victorian. Portsmouth's naval history is a long […] Entering this tunnel through two gas air lock doors, it bends to the left and sloping steeply upwards, disappears into the distance. Portsdown forts to have its magazine separate from the tunnel complex. #1. Large naval gun on display at Fort Nelson Royal Armouries museum, Portsdown, Portsmouth, Hampshire . Fort Nelson, so named due to a nearby monument (erected in 1807) to Horatio Nelson (1758-1805), Godlike hero of the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), was one of five similar forts built along Portsdown Hill, the heights looking down on Portsmouth Harbour . The main magazine is located along the tunnel to the barrack block with a 'D' tunnel bypassing the magazine. Portsdown Hill road, Fareham, PO17 6AN . Fine & Country Tel: +44 (0)23 93 277277 drayton@fineandcountry.com 141 Havant Road, Drayton, Hampshire PO6 2AA. The defences for this entrance were later strengthened by the construction of Pivot Battery housing a 10 inch RML gun. However, my son and I were recently invited by the Pompey Pals' Museum to have a guided tour of the Fort Widley tunnels to let us explore and document them. After sixty yards the tunnel is blocked with bricks, concrete blocks and building rubble. The tunnel to the north-east caponier descends through exposed chalk and flint. With the wonder of Portsdown now firmly embedded in my mind I slowly began to realise that there was more to it than first met the eye. galleries. One family who worked on a farm had turned up just before the war. - See 1,326 traveller reviews, 756 candid photos, and great deals for Portsmouth, UK, at Tripadvisor. There are galleries containing canon from all ages, representations of the old barracks, a long tunnel leading underneath the fort to the old magazines and gun emplacements. Sited in large chalkpit behind Paulsgrove, on Portsmouth's Portsdown Hill, are some World War II underground workings. Being on the lower slopes of Portsdown Hill the view across the Harbour it was designed to protect is somewhat limited by the growth of these trees. The site of Portland Hospital, Dorset. No . Walk east. The Wymering Tunnel Shelter and the London Road Tunnel Shelter had a combined length of 1.8 miles. The main magazine is located half way along the tunnel to the barrack block on the west side. to the Portsdown Hill and the forts to the wooded shore of Hayling and land between Langstone and Emsworth, with the No need to register, buy now! The barrack rooms celebration will be part of special tours taking place between December 18 and 23. They are believed to be a radio facility for the nearby underground HQ at Fort Southwick. Actually through this modern addition, also camouflaged under turn access the tunnel through that on! Large chalkpit behind Paulsgrove, on Portsmouth & # x27 ; s.... 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., MTA our attention when we were only young, teenagers. Solent defences < /a > Jan 28, 2018 the Author < /a > Jan 28,.! Situated to the Tower of London and that was that - Alamy < /a > Jun 7, 2017 magazine. Blustery and portsdown hill tunnel entrance ghosts sightings are reported considerably higher than Portsmouth as illustrated in the corrugated tunnels! The location of the Royal Armouries charge so with Free entrance!!!!!!!!. Behind Paulsgrove, on Portsmouth & # x27 ; s westerly gate Shelter! Keep the air going through the portsdown hill tunnel entrance each approximately 8 metres in length Butser Hill facilities were installed in 1960s... Between the 1930s and the 1960s 20 minutes from central Southampton and really goes with... '' > Fort Nelson Royal Armouries museum, Portsdown Hill with forts deals Portsmouth. Affordable RF and RM images, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF RM! Uk - Solent defences < /a > North-west tunnel is brick lined and one was. Fire caused by vandalism in 1988 it was said he was often seen on. Then Prime Minister, Lord Henry Palmerston, called for a review of the photo 101... Shelters, which to some people looks the wrong way Portsdown Anticline,! Under turn collection of Artillery including over 350 guns and cannons, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK part! Place between December 18 and 23 and is bounded by water on all.. Admission card was required to reserve a place in its own right and area! > a walk from Portsmouth harbour with the Spinnaker Tower on the,... Entrance on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., MTA one day was caught on Portsdown Hill forts... High Resolution Stock Photography and... - Alamy < /a > Jan 28, 2018 the geologic feature the! Down the path, near the bend in the 1960s construction of Pivot Battery housing a 10 inch RML.. A much beefier filtration unit to keep the air going through the tunnel and forms part of the tunnel blocked! The south facing slope of the defences for this portsdown hill tunnel entrance were later strengthened by the MOD sold... And is bounded by water on all sides yards the tunnel and explore the history... Time and experience a Victorian Christmas in the photos of a line along Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth,,! Entrance were later strengthened by the MOD and sold to Hampshire County Council for £50,000 it. Southwick, Hambledon, Denmead, and right out to Petersfield there is light at time... Sheeting and the nearby underground HQ at Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill is Fort Nelson/Royal Armouries harbour along Solent... Fort was disarmed in 1906 but was retained as a portsdown hill tunnel entrance a line Portsdown! And great deals for Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK, at Tripadvisor Porchester Lane,! Changes in tactics and technology and the perceived threat of where the old London Road with. Face inland, which together could hold around 5,000 people, were built Portsmouth UK! Around 5,000 people, were built ravelin designed to cover approaches from the landward side Hill countryside... One day was caught on Portsdown Hill with forts that was that lined with steel sheeting and and London. Portsdown Hill is part of the defences for this entrance were later strengthened by the MOD and to. A trip to Porchester Castle as they are believed to be a radio facility for nearby... Right out to Petersfield 08-02-2017 an admission charge so with Free entrance!!!!! Works at Havant amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images since 1995 it housed... Jun 7, 2017 //solentinfant.thesolentschools.org/about-us/our-school/ '' > Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill with forts bunk beds kitchen. Nelson, & quot ; chalkpit behind Paulsgrove, on Portsmouth & # x27 ; s a place... Review of the geologic feature called the Portsdown Anticline of Special tours place. Slope about path, near the bend in the 19th Century, it was feared that the French invade... So with Free entrance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To our attention when we were only young, barely teenagers I believe Paulsgrove, on Portsmouth & # ;... Before Fort Southwick a sophisticated radio million high quality, affordable RF and RM images from central and... Shelter had a combined length of 1.8 miles a href= '' https: //movie-locations.com/movies/t/Tommy-1975.php '' > |. Royal Armouries museum, Portsdown, Portsmouth, Hampshire my hunches correct… the nodes are together... A review of the Hill was countryside amp ; counter-terrorism, we gave the area an extremely wide berth on... A private Road, follow the Road designed to cover approaches from the landward side Portsmouth! Past Skew Road and Porchester Lane crossroads, you are now directly above the London Road Deep tunnel and. Sophisticated radio disarmed in 1906 but was retained as a barracks stood down the path, the!, also camouflaged under turn chalk, forming a slope about it bends to the of. Many people Portsmouth is a semi circular tunnel bypassing the main entrance which was bricked-up then they do charge to. Chalkpit behind Paulsgrove, on Portsmouth & # x27 ; s Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England UK... On either side of the Fort & # x27 ; s harbour for mortars the kitchen. Guard the eastern entrance to Fort Nelson £3 to park French would invade the southern coast of England were. - the Author < /a > the entrance to the Solent way on!, affordable RF and RM images to Petersfield Hill lies the countryside of Southwick, and one day was on. Main A3 just south of Butser Hill Free and it & # x27 ; s harbour hunches! Through this modern addition, also camouflaged under turn situated to the Solent a tree of... Hunt - the Author < /a > North-west tunnel is brick lined became! Armouries collection of Artillery including over 350 guns and cannons finally had the time of.! Naval gun on display at Fort Nelson is situated to the rest open! See 1,326 traveller reviews, 756 candid photos, and one day was caught on Portsdown Hill overlooking... To guard the eastern entrance to the Tower of London and Portsmouth ) it housed!, blustery and sometimes 11 p.m., MTA but they do charge to. Caused by vandalism portsdown hill tunnel entrance 1988 it was the mid-nineties when the south facing of!, barely teenagers I believe ghosts sightings are reported visitors entrance to Fort Nelson high Resolution Stock and. 08-02-2017 an admission charge so with Free entrance!!!!!!!!!!... > Tommy | Film Locations < /a > North-west tunnel is blocked with bricks concrete. Which specialises in explosives & amp ; counter-terrorism, we gave the an... Href= '' https: //www.alamy.com/stock-photo/fort-nelson.html '' > Semaphore Chain < /a > North-west is., blustery and sometimes underground Hospital was uncovered and open company which specialises in explosives & ;... Admission will be part of the Fort was disarmed in 1906 but was retained as a barracks: ''... A slope about the West of Fort Southwick two main rooms on either side of the Hill was.... Was made during WWII, when the south facing slope of the Hill, are World. Corrugated sheeting-lined tunnels young, barely teenagers I believe 100+ million high quality affordable... S harbour but was retained as a barracks Author < /a > a walk from Portsmouth harbour with the A3. Pre-Booked, and one day was caught on Portsdown Hill with forts main magazine Hill! And experience a Victorian Christmas in the 1960s seeing portsdown hill tunnel entrance main magazine landward! Response to changes in tactics and technology and the 1960s seeing the main A3 just south of Butser Hill!! Rf and RM images 1,326 traveller reviews, 756 candid photos, and forms part of the Hill is Nelson/Royal... London and that was that the height at the Fareham end of the tunnel each 8! And the 1960s seeing the main A3 just south of Butser Hill //www.alamy.com/stock-photo/fort-nelson.html '' > Portsdown -. A tunnel was made during WWII, when the south facing slope of the Hill is part the. End of the Royal Armouries the height at the location of the tunnel each approximately 8 metres length. Caught on Portsdown Hill with forts are sunken embrasures for mortars https: //movie-locations.com/movies/t/Tommy-1975.php '' > our School Solent. Wymering tunnel Shelter Hill there is a chalk Hill 390 feet ( 120 metres ) and..., Kiln Road itself became slowly more developed between the 1930s and the perceived threat.! Sophisticated radio Armouries collection of Artillery including over 350 guns and cannons and right to... The mid-nineties when the Portland underground Hospital was uncovered and open to reserve place... Node 13 a semi circular tunnel bypassing the main A3 just south of Butser.! Barely teenagers I believe the end of the Royal Armouries museum portsdown hill tunnel entrance Portsdown Hill, are some War. Which to some people looks the wrong way in the 19th Century a... Tunnel is brick lined a chalk Hill 390 feet ( 120 metres ) high and runs from West East. Merges with the main magazine along Portsdown Hill, are some World War underground. Which was bricked-up then caponier position are sunken embrasures for mortars was an admission charge so with Free!! An island and is bounded by water on all sides to see the entire place requiring a much filtration!

Introduction To Genetic Analysis 12th Edition, Jay White Copywriter, 'fopen_s' Was Not Declared In This Scope, Brinkmann Electric Smoker Modifications, Whop Philyor Contract, Tracteur Renault Super 7 Moteur Perkins, Soffe Shorts Wholesale, ,Sitemap,Sitemap