Drakelow tunnels

[Buckman]

Has anyone visited Drakelow tunnels near Kidderminster in the West Midlands? Apparently they do tours of the complex. Interesting reading the various links on the website. See Drakelow Tunnels.

 

[otherclive]

Has anyone visited Drakelow tunnels near Kidderminster in the West Midlands? Apparently they do tours of the complex. Interesting reading the various links on the website. See Drakelow Tunnels.

Looks an interesting place to visit. We have an underground complex near us. It made aircraft which were shipped out at night from inside a tunnel on the GWR mainline. I went inside with a caving group…… awesome. Some areas, it’s vast, are still used by MoD

 

[Buckman]

Looks an interesting place to visit. We have an underground complex near us. It made aircraft which were shipped out at night from inside a tunnel on the GWR mainline. I went inside with a caving group…… awesome. Some areas, it’s vast, are still used by MoD

The site mentions one in Wiltshire and others around the country. I think there are 9 in total. Not sure how many are still active since the built the nuclear bunkers for the government under Whitehall.

 

[otherclive]

The site mentions one in Wiltshire and others around the country. I think there are 9 in total. Not sure how many are still active since the built the nuclear bunkers for the government under Whitehall.

The Wiltshire ones cover an area bounded by Corsham, Box, Kingsdown, across to Monkton Farleigh then another set in Bradford on Avon to Avoncliffe and Westwood.
The complexes had later Regional Center but in WW2 encompassed munitions stores, parts stores, Spitfire factory and other facilities. One of the bunker entrances now sits just off the A4 in Corsham as a listed structure in a new development.

 

[Parksy]

Central Birmingham also has subterranean bunkers which were intended to be a communications centre in the event of nuclear war.
One of the entrances is next to the iconic post office tower in Newhall Street.
The bunkers, which were code named Anchor after the Birmingham assay mark from the nearby Jewellery Quarter, are now disused, but they're still there.

 

[Woodentop]

If this sort of thing interests you have a good dig in Subterrania Britannica
and you will find it fascinating. The section on Radars is good as there are many remnants near various caravan sites.

 

[otherclive]

Here are a series of articles and videos of some of the complex near Corsham potential home to 4000 government staff and ministers etc.

https://www.higgypop.com/urbex/burlington/

Anyone passing along the A303 in Wiltshire might find exploring the site of RAF Chilmark of interest. Strange place to develop an underground dump.

https://www.higgypop.com/news/inside-wiltshires-abandoned-nuclear-bunker-cannabis-farm/

 

[Jcloughie]

Has anyone visited Drakelow tunnels near Kidderminster in the West Midlands? Apparently they do tours of the complex. Interesting reading the various links on the website. See Drakelow Tunnels.

Good find and looks like an interesting read. Did not see the bit about tours. Perhaps I missed it. Looking at the FB link it says it is being prepared for the public and they have been working on it with volunteers since 2010, the hope to be opening soon.

John

 

[Buckman]

If this sort of thing interests you have a good dig in Subterrania Britannica
and you will find it fascinating. The section on Radars is good as there are many remnants near various caravan sites.

I believe there are also tunnels under Exeter, but nothing to do with nuclear wars etc?

 

[Parksy]

There are underground limestone mines underneath Dudley Zoo which are accessible via canal tunnels.
Some of these underground caverns are as big as the interior of cathedrals, and some of the underground workings were used to house tank engine assembly workshops during World War 2.
Trips on the electric narrowboat can be booked via dudleycanaltrust.org.uk
Next door to the Black Country Living Museum, it's well worth a day out if visiting the West Midlands.

 

[Jcloughie]

There are underground limestone mines underneath Dudley Zoo which are accessible via canal tunnels.
Some of these underground caverns are as big as the interior of cathedrals, and some of the underground workings were used to house tank engine assembly workshops during World War 2.
Trips on the electric narrowboat can be booked via dudleycanaltrust.org.uk
Next door to the Black Country Living Museum, it's well worth a day out if visiting the West Midlands.

I did the Black Country museum boat trip years ago, but it then went from inside the museum. (Perhaps it’s a little different). Enjoyed it though.

View: https://youtu.be/fbwHOhnKJuw


John

 

[Buckman]

There are underground limestone mines underneath Dudley Zoo which are accessible via canal tunnels.
Some of these underground caverns are as big as the interior of cathedrals, and some of the underground workings were used to house tank engine assembly workshops during World War 2.
Trips on the electric narrowboat can be booked via dudleycanaltrust.org.uk
Next door to the Black Country Living Museum, it's well worth a day out if visiting the West Midlands.

Far better value than the place near Ironbridge. We really enjoyed our day out there although we never went on the narrow boat. We did do the ride on the tram. Can't remember if dogs are allowed as may be worth another visit.

 

[otherclive]

There are underground limestone mines underneath Dudley Zoo which are accessible via canal tunnels.
Some of these underground caverns are as big as the interior of cathedrals, and some of the underground workings were used to house tank engine assembly workshops during World War 2.
Trips on the electric narrowboat can be booked via dudleycanaltrust.org.uk
Next door to the Black Country Living Museum, it's well worth a day out if visiting the West Midlands.

Back in the risky 1980s there was a narrow boat holiday company based at Stourport that operated electric boats. They used lead acid cells which reduced the need for some ballast. They had a small number of recharge point set up along the route(s). But ahead of their time.

 

[Parksy]

Back in the risky 1980s there was a narrow boat holiday company based at Stourport that operated electric boats. They used lead acid cells which reduced the need for some ballast. They had a small number of recharge point set up along the route(s). But ahead of their time.

Stourport was the equivalent of a trip to the seaside for many Black Country families in the 1950s.
Some childhood friends of mine had never visited the coast or seen the sea.
Stourport was a regular Sunday school trip destination, three or four charabancs would depart Tipton for the delights of Stourport where we enjoyed a day out, a Severn Steamer trip up and down a stretch of the River Severn and good times at the funfair, followed by 40 a side cricket on the riverside greens.
What we didn't know back then was that the Dudley canal tunnel, which was disused and blocked back in those days, led from Tipton to Stourport via the canal.
Limestone and coal, plus manufactured goods would be transported via narrowboat from the Black Country to the Severn where it would be transferred to larger river craft which called at Worcester, Gloucester and Bristol.
The underground workings in Dudley were re-opened from the late 1960s onwards, and yes, the boat trip can also be boarded from the BCLM.

 

[Beachball]

There are underground limestone mines underneath Dudley Zoo which are accessible via canal tunnels.
Some of these underground caverns are as big as the interior of cathedrals, and some of the underground workings were used to house tank engine assembly workshops during World War 2.
Trips on the electric narrowboat can be booked via dudleycanaltrust.org.uk
Next door to the Black Country Living Museum, it's well worth a day out if visiting the West Midlands.

Sounds like a nice day planned for my wife would love the electric narrowboat and Museum next door i would wait with the dogs