大象传媒

Explore the 大象传媒
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

13 November 2014

大象传媒 Homepage

Local 大象传媒 Sites

Neighbouring Sites







Related 大象传媒 Sites


Contact Us

Local history

You are in: North Yorkshire > History > Local history > The Harrogate Underground

Rail tunnel underneath Harrogate

The Harrogate Underground

Did you know there's an old railway tunnel and air raid shelter underneath Harrogate? The tunnel was abandoned 146 years ago and the far end near Leeds road became an air raid shelter during the war years.

The northern entrance to the Brunswick tunnel

The northern entrance to the Brunswick tunnel.

Phill Davison is a member of the Leeds historical expedition society. He recently photographed and documented the little-known Brunswick railway tunnel & air raid shelter, underneath Harrogate. These, he believes, are the only pictures ever to be taken down there. This is his account of the tunnel's history.

George Hudson and the York and North Midland railway completed the line from Church Fenton in 1848. When it reached the site of what is now Harrogate's Hornbeam Park station, it veered left and then plunged under the 400 yard long Brunswick tunnel, before emerging on what is now the far side of the Leeds Road/Park Drive roundabout.

Park Drive roundabout in Harrogate

Park Drive roundabout where the tunnel ended.

Here the line followed a discreet cutting before reaching Brunswick station, built opposite Trinity church, on Trinity road next to the stray. The only evidence the station was here these days is a plaque set in stone opposite the church.

Site of Brunswick Station and plaque stone.

Site of Brunswick Station and plaque stone.

The station was built here, because it was not allowed to cross the Stray, for fears of noise and smoke polluting the area. However attitudes had changed towards the railway by 1862 when the North Eastern railway arrived in the town and completed the new station where it still stands today. The branch through Brunswick tunnel and the station was then abandoned after only 14 years in operation.

Stairs inside the Brunswick tunnel

Looking up the stairs which lead to Leeds rd.

During the Second World War the tunnel was converted into an air raid shelter with steps leading down to it from the Leeds road roundabout area. Workmen constructing the roundabout in the 1960's accidentally dug into the roof of the tunnel not knowing it was there.

The air raid shelter was abandoned by 1943. Today the entrance is filled in leaving no trace it was ever there.

Walking along tree-lined Langcliffe Avenue these days you would never know the old tunnel and air raid shelter are only a few feet below the road.

Langcliffe Avenue

Langcliffe Ave. The tunnel runs under it.

The tunnel is in remarkably good condition considering it has been abandoned for 146 years, you can even see the indents in the floor were the sleepers used to be.

Rail sleeper marks on the floor of the tunnel

The tunnel still has the rail sleeper marks.

The air raid shelter was built with six foot high blast walls and wooden benches running along both sides of the tunnel. Toilet cubicles were also to be found in all four corners. There was also evidence of electric cabling suggesting there was a light and power supply down there during the war.

Air-raid shelter in Harrogate tunnel

The air-raid shelter - note the stalactites

Today the tunnel is a long-forgotten relic of an enterprising age, but I hope my pictures and story have brought back a few memories and recollections for local folk, and at the same time recorded a piece of Harrogate's railway heritage for future generations. Please note the tunnel entrance is on private property and visits are discouraged without official permission.

Phill Davison

last updated: 01/10/2008 at 16:05
created: 08/02/2008

Have Your Say

Add your own stories and recollections of Harrogate's history here.

The 大象传媒 reserves the right to edit comments submitted.

stewart bennett
i went to the tunnel last night but it was to dark to see it but it looked like it is under deep water out side it need to find out if it is my older sister back in the 70,s called it the darkie

stewart bennett
i have just found where the tunnel is and i will go and take some pics soon i just think that it is so bad that people do not no much about the tunnel will let you all no soon

Elizabeth
The story I heard about the underground in harrogate was that the reason it was closed was due to a train accident that killed almost everyone was that true?

Lionel Walsh
For the first 25 years of my life I lived in Tewit Well Road. The tunnel ended at agarden behind middlesmoor, Wheatlands road east. The tuunel roof was covered with stalactites. i used to play there during the war.

Brian Norman
There is a more impressive tunnel system under Leeds town centre. These were the tunnels for the Leeds Electric Company and started from the Long demolished Whitehall Road Power Station. I remember as an apprentice back in the 60's exploring these tunnels and some of the places where we came up to the surface were incredible. Some were filled in and blocked off to prevent entry into some of the department stores and even banks. It may be that they are still there waiting for someone to explore again.

CJ
There is another tunnel off the harrogate by pass by the rudding lane junction. down the hill by the back enterance to the deaf and blind riding centre .

Steve cooper
All the old lads of oatlands knew it was there ,and had been through it many times.Back then the entrance was open.

Richard
As John says, this place was an amazing discovery at the age of 12, daring your friends to go in (there was no grill then) Dont think anyone got any further than a few steps in before running back out again. Completely forgot about it until now

mark scott
i have bieng to the tunnel with my children after years of wondering were the tunnel was most poeple in harrogate dont know its even there it is a amazing place hiden away but good when you find it

John Garwood C Eng MICE
I read with interest the visit by Phill Davison to the Brunswick Tunnel. Sorry Phill, I carry out periodic inspections of the tunnel for Harrogate Borough Council, through my employer, Hill Cannon (UK) LLP of Harrogate, and have taken similar photographs over the years to go with the report. Before the entrance had it's grill fitted, the tunnel was an attraction for many generations of boys over 150 years, who regarded it as the ultimate adventure to explore down there.

You are in: North Yorkshire > History > Local history > The Harrogate Underground



About the 大象传媒 | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy