The Ramsgate Tunnels
History
Before they became a refuge during World War II, the tunnels had their origins in the railway expansion of the 19th century. The London, Chatham and Dover Railway initially built a tunnel to connect Ramsgate Harbour to the main town in 1863, cutting through the chalk cliffs. However, as the railway network evolved, a second tunnel was constructed in 1926, rerouting the station towards Cannon Road. This relocation aimed to improve efficiency and reduce congestion in the town, shifting the heart of railway activity away from the older station. Despite this change, the railway line struggled financially and eventually closed in 1926, leaving these tunnels dormant—until the looming threat of war gave them a new and vital purpose.
As the Second World War approached, Ramsgate’s geographical position on the southeast coast made it a prime target for German bombers. Recognising the town’s vulnerability, Mayor A.B.C. Kempe led a bold initiative to transform the abandoned railway tunnels into a vast underground shelter network. Work began in 1939, and when war broke out, the tunnels offered protection for thousands of residents during Luftwaffe bombing campaigns. Unlike standard Anderson shelters, which were easily damaged by direct hits, the deep, winding passages beneath Ramsgate shielded civilians from the full force of the Blitz. Families moved into these tunnels, bringing bedding, supplies, and whatever comforts they could manage, turning the underground space into a temporary city beneath the town.
One of the most harrowing moments in Ramsgate’s history came on August 24, 1940, when the town suffered a devastating air raid that destroyed homes, businesses, and infrastructure, also known as the “Murder Raid”. The tunnels, including those under Cannon Road, proved their worth that day, saving countless lives. Many families remained underground for extended periods, only emerging when the danger had passed. Yet buried beneath Ramsgate’s streets, lies tunnels that once sheltered an entire community in the darkness, waiting for the war to pass.
The Explore
We set off at 17:00 knowing a long night was ahead of us, and with Ramsgate being a two our drive away we knew we wouldn’t get back home till morning. We started by scoping out the westcliff entrance, soon deciding we hadn’t come well enough equipped for that section. Upon doing this a derelict building caught our eye as it loomed over the cliff, meaning we had to check it out, only to find that once again we were under equipped and short for time. Travelling through the town with the knowledge that there were tunnels below us was both exiting and unimaginable as we compared the street names to our map.
Our plan was in place when we arrived and we were confident in it thanks to some much appreciated help from a friend on the forum. We were however exposed, very exposed, and silhouettes in the windows confirmed that. This required a very stealthy approach and execution, something that we did not have on the first attempt. Subsequent to our screw up we went in with a better plan, leaving one of us as a look out whilst the others gained entry.
And then finally we were in, being met with a tight squeeze and then a large open set of concrete stairs leading into the chalk tunnels. When walking down into the tunnel system you are soon approached by a fork (split off into two directions). Taking a right (following a sign to the cafe), meant a long walk into the darkness to the sewage pipe, and when you were silent you could just hear the water rushing inside the thick concrete tube. Looking down the pipe we could see other tunnels veering off the sides, which meant attempting the tight squeeze was worth it to cure my curiosity. Pushing through a gap between the pipe and the ceiling we reached what could have been the cafe as there was what looked like a concrete water tank. The cafe owner was obliged to provide mothers with small children and/or newborns with warm water at night which is partly the reason for my thinking. More squeezing and more sections were found soon after before the gap grew too tight and we were forced to retreat.
Going back to the fork, we take the second tunnel. This went on for what felt like miles, making our way round corners, past cave ins and endless amounts of chalk graffiti. At one point we turn off our lights to fully gage how cut off we were. My hand that was waving right in front of my face wasn’t viable at all. These tunnels were said to of gone down as fare as 90-100 feet at points. We spent a solid hour down there and only just managed to cover everything before heading back to the surface and making our way back home. What made this explore unlike any I had done before was its significance. The tunnels saved countless lives from the “murder raid” and previous bombings before which made it, for me, such an important trip. On with the pictures:
History
Before they became a refuge during World War II, the tunnels had their origins in the railway expansion of the 19th century. The London, Chatham and Dover Railway initially built a tunnel to connect Ramsgate Harbour to the main town in 1863, cutting through the chalk cliffs. However, as the railway network evolved, a second tunnel was constructed in 1926, rerouting the station towards Cannon Road. This relocation aimed to improve efficiency and reduce congestion in the town, shifting the heart of railway activity away from the older station. Despite this change, the railway line struggled financially and eventually closed in 1926, leaving these tunnels dormant—until the looming threat of war gave them a new and vital purpose.
As the Second World War approached, Ramsgate’s geographical position on the southeast coast made it a prime target for German bombers. Recognising the town’s vulnerability, Mayor A.B.C. Kempe led a bold initiative to transform the abandoned railway tunnels into a vast underground shelter network. Work began in 1939, and when war broke out, the tunnels offered protection for thousands of residents during Luftwaffe bombing campaigns. Unlike standard Anderson shelters, which were easily damaged by direct hits, the deep, winding passages beneath Ramsgate shielded civilians from the full force of the Blitz. Families moved into these tunnels, bringing bedding, supplies, and whatever comforts they could manage, turning the underground space into a temporary city beneath the town.
One of the most harrowing moments in Ramsgate’s history came on August 24, 1940, when the town suffered a devastating air raid that destroyed homes, businesses, and infrastructure, also known as the “Murder Raid”. The tunnels, including those under Cannon Road, proved their worth that day, saving countless lives. Many families remained underground for extended periods, only emerging when the danger had passed. Yet buried beneath Ramsgate’s streets, lies tunnels that once sheltered an entire community in the darkness, waiting for the war to pass.
The Explore
We set off at 17:00 knowing a long night was ahead of us, and with Ramsgate being a two our drive away we knew we wouldn’t get back home till morning. We started by scoping out the westcliff entrance, soon deciding we hadn’t come well enough equipped for that section. Upon doing this a derelict building caught our eye as it loomed over the cliff, meaning we had to check it out, only to find that once again we were under equipped and short for time. Travelling through the town with the knowledge that there were tunnels below us was both exiting and unimaginable as we compared the street names to our map.
Our plan was in place when we arrived and we were confident in it thanks to some much appreciated help from a friend on the forum. We were however exposed, very exposed, and silhouettes in the windows confirmed that. This required a very stealthy approach and execution, something that we did not have on the first attempt. Subsequent to our screw up we went in with a better plan, leaving one of us as a look out whilst the others gained entry.
And then finally we were in, being met with a tight squeeze and then a large open set of concrete stairs leading into the chalk tunnels. When walking down into the tunnel system you are soon approached by a fork (split off into two directions). Taking a right (following a sign to the cafe), meant a long walk into the darkness to the sewage pipe, and when you were silent you could just hear the water rushing inside the thick concrete tube. Looking down the pipe we could see other tunnels veering off the sides, which meant attempting the tight squeeze was worth it to cure my curiosity. Pushing through a gap between the pipe and the ceiling we reached what could have been the cafe as there was what looked like a concrete water tank. The cafe owner was obliged to provide mothers with small children and/or newborns with warm water at night which is partly the reason for my thinking. More squeezing and more sections were found soon after before the gap grew too tight and we were forced to retreat.
Going back to the fork, we take the second tunnel. This went on for what felt like miles, making our way round corners, past cave ins and endless amounts of chalk graffiti. At one point we turn off our lights to fully gage how cut off we were. My hand that was waving right in front of my face wasn’t viable at all. These tunnels were said to of gone down as fare as 90-100 feet at points. We spent a solid hour down there and only just managed to cover everything before heading back to the surface and making our way back home. What made this explore unlike any I had done before was its significance. The tunnels saved countless lives from the “murder raid” and previous bombings before which made it, for me, such an important trip. On with the pictures:
Remnants of the original curtain that disintegrates to the touch
Evidence of cave ins
