Visited this site earlier with Carcarzy, we quickly stumbled across the anti-tank pimples (and interesting marker on the landscape) before finding ourselves looking at a unique stunning scenery. We walked around the place taking several photos and were very impressed.
There are several outbuildings with their entrances blocked off, but the one at the top of the hill was still open which consisted of a back wall that was built of several layers of stone and brick (not sure if something lies behind this!) and had a very old stair case leading to the roof on to the right. We then wondered back down the hill to explore what else was around the area.
We noticed on a sign near the main entrance to the bunker stating “Danger! The reason we keep blocking up the tunnels is because they contain asbestos, By the way smile! You are now being filmed by CCTV” unfortunately I don’t think they would have seen the smile underneath my respirator mask, but I was certainly smiling, this place looked amazing!
I must mention this place is pretty dangerous! All precautions should be considered! (Also there are some bloody creepy looking spiders down there! As I saw mentioned in previous posts)
Hope you like the pics. Feedback Welcome.
There are several outbuildings with their entrances blocked off, but the one at the top of the hill was still open which consisted of a back wall that was built of several layers of stone and brick (not sure if something lies behind this!) and had a very old stair case leading to the roof on to the right. We then wondered back down the hill to explore what else was around the area.
We noticed on a sign near the main entrance to the bunker stating “Danger! The reason we keep blocking up the tunnels is because they contain asbestos, By the way smile! You are now being filmed by CCTV” unfortunately I don’t think they would have seen the smile underneath my respirator mask, but I was certainly smiling, this place looked amazing!
I must mention this place is pretty dangerous! All precautions should be considered! (Also there are some bloody creepy looking spiders down there! As I saw mentioned in previous posts)
Hope you like the pics. Feedback Welcome.
History
During World War 2, the Southern Railway group took over the Deepdene Hotel, near Dorking, as their War Headquarters. On their take over, it was discovered that the grounds to the rear of the buildings contained a series of caves. It was decided that the natural protection of the caves would be utilised for the Traffic Control bunker of the Southern Region network. The caves were enlarged slightly in order to house 30 staff that were relocated from the Waterloo control centre.
The tunnel network contained a control room, a meeting room, 3-position switchboard, battery room, night officer bedroom, plant rooms and toilets. A 60 foot emergency shaft was excavated at the rear of the tunnels and was used as the fresh air inlet. A 4 foot thick slab covered the complex, yet no near miss protection was provided. The bunker was used throughout the war and was occupied by operators well into the 1960s. British Railways left the control centre in the mid 1960s, and the hotel was demolished in 1969. The bunker lay dormant until it was rediscover by local children in 1997 and set fire too. Since then, it has been sealed due to asbestos.
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During World War 2, the Southern Railway group took over the Deepdene Hotel, near Dorking, as their War Headquarters. On their take over, it was discovered that the grounds to the rear of the buildings contained a series of caves. It was decided that the natural protection of the caves would be utilised for the Traffic Control bunker of the Southern Region network. The caves were enlarged slightly in order to house 30 staff that were relocated from the Waterloo control centre.
The tunnel network contained a control room, a meeting room, 3-position switchboard, battery room, night officer bedroom, plant rooms and toilets. A 60 foot emergency shaft was excavated at the rear of the tunnels and was used as the fresh air inlet. A 4 foot thick slab covered the complex, yet no near miss protection was provided. The bunker was used throughout the war and was occupied by operators well into the 1960s. British Railways left the control centre in the mid 1960s, and the hotel was demolished in 1969. The bunker lay dormant until it was rediscover by local children in 1997 and set fire too. Since then, it has been sealed due to asbestos.
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