Oil Mills

These tunnels were dug during the 19th century for the excavation of chalk to make lime.

The tunnels range in size with multiple interlinking passageways and tunnels. In places the tunnels roofs reach 30ft high.

Within the tunnels are brick lined although some are rendered in concrete. The main use of the tunnels was storage of goods, mushroom growing, a garage and they were also used as an air raid shelter during WWII originally only for military use before being allowed for public use as well.

Following the Germans giving up their occupation of France the Oil Mills and Caves became one of three transit camps within the town, dealing with well over 4,000,000 troops with their use for this purpose ending in 1947.

At some point there has been a fire within the tunnels causing chalk falls and significant damage to pallets stored inside. This section of the tunnels has been abandoned and bricked up while some of the tunnels are still used for storage to this day.