WT Henleys Air Raid Tunnels

These tunnels were cut into a chalk cliff between 1939 and 1940 to provide protection for the workers of the nearby Telegraph Works during Air Raids.

Designed to a grid pattern the tunnels are under 15m of chalk and could house upto 2500 workers and members of the public. There are over 6000m of tunnels all bearing their original painted signs.

The tunnel complex had its own power and filtration plant room, shelter control room, squad room, male and female first aid rooms and extensive areas for male and female latrines. Each entrance into the complex had its own anti-gas airlock with one entrance being accessed by a anti-gas warfare decontamination block.

The tunnels were decommissioned in 1945 and subsequently became storage before being left empty.

THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN ON A VISIT TO THE TUNNELS A FEW YEARS AGO AND AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS REPORT THE TUNNELS ARE SEALED AND SECURE.