Island Echo examines 4 of the most famous tunnels burrowing their way through the Isle of Wight landscape.
There are many tunnels on the Island – both rumoured and those we have concrete evidence for. Of course, we know of 7 railway tunnels that were certainly built – listed in the following article.
The most romantic and possibly far-fetched tunnel is that supposedly connecting Carisbrooke Castle with the Castle Public House on Newport High Street, said to have been constructed for the convenience of King Charles I.
But focusing on the proven… the following 4 tunnels – at Ventnor, Freshwater, the Needles and Northwood House in Cowes – most certainly exist.
The Ventnor Botanic Garden tunnels
The Ventnor Botanic Garden Tunnels date back to the time of the former Royal National Hospital that stood on the site.
A proposal to dig a tunnel from the hospital to the shore was first proposed in the hospital’s annual report for 1875.
This report stated:
“There can be no doubt that if patients were able to obtain free access to the shore it would be very conducive alike to their recovery and their enjoyment.”
Article continues below this advertisement
However, when a 350-foot tunnel to the shore was finally built sometime in the 1880s (the exact date is unknown). it was simply used as a conduit for rubbish that was unceremoniously dumped on the shore. Steel tramlines are still visible on its floor.
The tunnel was closed in 1940. The Botanic Garden warns that the cliff exit is inaccessible and that the cliff itself is extremely dangerous.
There is a further tunnel in the Garden that was used by nurses to access the hospital from their accommodation that went under the nearby road.
The builders demolishing the former hospital claimed this tunnel to be haunted as did some of the staff at Steephill Nursing Home.
Freshwater Redoubt Fort tunnel
A tunnel leads from Freshwater Redoubt fort to the cliff below.
At one time, a metal staircase – built in the mid-80s – led to its cliff entrance, but oddly this has no connection with the former military use of Fort Redoubt.
The 70-foot long tunnel was constructed for Mr E Crinage – a resident of the fort – in 1938, long after it had been decommissioned. The owner of Redoubt House simply required a bathing tunnel to shorten his journey to the beach.
The 6-foot high, 3-foot wide tunnel was dug by a William Woolbright from Brook over the course of 3 months.
The tunnel had some military use during World War II when a small mobile anti aircraft gun was mounted at its entrance.
The Needles Battery tunnels
In 1887, a 180-foot lift shaft was dug from the Needles Old Battery and 5 tunnels were constructed for gun emplacements at sea level on the northern cliff face of Alum Bay.
A labourer was killed during the construction of the shaft when a rope coiled round his leg, causing the limb to be torn off. He died before medical help arrived.
The emplacements were built for quick firing guns to combat torpedo boats. Later, 1 of the emplacements was used for a searchlight.
The sea level battery was even provided with its own reservoir. 1n 1944, an electric lift was installed to transport soldiers to the guns and searchlight at sea level.
Sadly, these tunnels are not accessible to the public as the lift shaft is long disused, and access from the shore is only possible on very low sea tides.
A further tunnel leading to a searchlight was completed in 1899, which can be accessed by visitors to the battery.
The Northwood House tunnels
There are extensive tunnels and secret underground rooms beneath Northwood House and its grounds.
Sadly, there is no possibility to enter what is believed to be the longest tunnel of any English Country House at some 467 yards. This runs from the Northwood House to the Nuns steps on Castle Road. Both entrances were blocked by the Council with a thick concrete wall in the 70s.
Much of what lies underneath Northwood House is undocumented – the Council burnt most of the records in the 80s.
Why the need for the extensive tunnel to the Nuns steps? Various theories have been put forward, some fanciful. One theory is that it was an escape tunnel needed in case of possible French attack. Others have suggested that it was used for smuggling.
Historian Tim Wander has a less romantic explanation – this was a servants and supply tunnel for the grand balls that took place at Northwood House. Servants were expected to arrive and depart unseen and unheard.
A further tunnel extends from the Nuns steps to the beach to the east of the Royal Yacht Squadron. This was discovered when a car fell into it in the 80s.
In 2015, the help of Island Roads’ hi-tech surveying equipment was deployed in an attempt to discover what lay beneath Northwood House as outlined in the following Island Echo article.
Do you know of further Isle of Wight tunnels of interest? Let us know in the comments…
