S
stalagmite
Guest
Guest
These tunnels were built in 1940 and 1941 by the Royal Engineers to be used as a communications centre in WW2. but never completely finished. They are sometimes known as ‘Monty’s Tunnels’ but there is no evidence that Gen. Montgomery ever used them. They are now empty, and partly flooded. The complex is about 20m deep and consist of two main parallel tunnels about 100m long linked together by seven or eight smaller tunnels (see sketch map below). On the surface are three blockhouse entrances, two of which lead down steep steps to each end of one of the main tunnels. The third entrance leads down through a small chamber to the centre of the second main tunnel. These entrances are now partly bricked up.
The complex is on private ground just outside Tunbridge Wells at Map Ref:TQ 575374 near where the A26 crosses the Kent/Sussex border. The area is well used by dog walkers.
To find it you would have to go up Broadwater Down for about ¼ mile passing Strawberry Close on the right. Where the houses finish a fence continues along the side of some woods. There is a gap in the fence where the next lot of houses start and a path leads to a field about 100m away from the road. Before reaching the field, there is a right fork along a track through the undergrowth leading to entrance B. After a further 100m or so in the same direction is entrance C. The third entrance B is to be found about 100m from the gap in the fence but into the woods off to the right.
If you are a caver, then take normal wet caving gear. If not, then you will need waterproof trousers, wellies, a good torch, helmet, rubber gloves, and a change of dry clothing. The water is very cold and full of rubbish including broken bottles.
A rough sketch of the system
Entrance ‘’B’
Another entrance
The complex is on private ground just outside Tunbridge Wells at Map Ref:TQ 575374 near where the A26 crosses the Kent/Sussex border. The area is well used by dog walkers.
To find it you would have to go up Broadwater Down for about ¼ mile passing Strawberry Close on the right. Where the houses finish a fence continues along the side of some woods. There is a gap in the fence where the next lot of houses start and a path leads to a field about 100m away from the road. Before reaching the field, there is a right fork along a track through the undergrowth leading to entrance B. After a further 100m or so in the same direction is entrance C. The third entrance B is to be found about 100m from the gap in the fence but into the woods off to the right.
If you are a caver, then take normal wet caving gear. If not, then you will need waterproof trousers, wellies, a good torch, helmet, rubber gloves, and a change of dry clothing. The water is very cold and full of rubbish including broken bottles.
A rough sketch of the system
Entrance ‘’B’
Another entrance
