9 Tunnels to Explore in United Kingdom

Drakelow Tunnels are a former Top Secret underground military complex beneath Kingsford Country Park north of Kidderminster, Worcestershire. The tunnels were built between 1941-1942 as a Shadow Factory for the Rover car company. Parts for aircraft engines were machined in the 3.5 miles of tunnels throughout WWII. After WWII the tunnels began producing parts for tank engines until 1958 when the tunnels were handed over to the Ministry of Supply, and later Ministry of Works.

The Falkirk Tunnel, located just behind Falkirk High Station, was created nearly 200 years ago and was originally used for transporting coal, today it carries the Union Canal beneath Prospect Hill in Falkirk and connects Falkirk to the heart of Edinburgh. The Falkirk Tunnel is 630 meters long, 18ft-wide, 19ft-high and has a 5ft-wide towpath.

Fan Bay Deep Shelter is a unique adventure into the White Cliffs of Dover. Recently opened to the public the tunnels were constructed in 1940/41 as accommodation for the gun battery above. The tour also includes a chance to see the First World War Sound Mirrors up close and find out more about them.

The Ramsgate Tunnels, in the seaside town of Ramsgate in Thanet, East Kent, have been transformed from a derelict railway line and bomb shelter into an exhibition space, café, and tourist attraction through the hard work of volunteers. It will take you underground to unlock the story of a hidden underground city which evolved from the largest and only known Civilian Deep Shelter Air Raid Precaution scheme authorized by Central Government.

Standedge Tunnel is the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain! Situated midway along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, the tunnel takes the canal under the high Pennine spine of Northern England between Marsden in the Colne Valley and Diggle in Saddleworth. A highlight of a visit to Tunnel End is a boat ride into the tunnel. The rides start from Tunnel End Cottages at the tunnel mouth and go about 500 metres into the tunnel.

The Tar Tunnel is an abandoned tunnel located on the north bank of the River Severn in the Ironbridge Gorge at Coalport, England. It is one of the ten musuems that make up the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site in Shropshire. In the past visitors were provided with hard hats and were able to enter the first 300 feet of the brick-lined tunnel as far as an iron gate. Electric lighting is provided. Due to a build up of gas in the tunnel, it is unsafe to enter but visitors can still get a view alo

This was Britain’s first purpose-built cyclist tunnel, and it links to routes along the United Kingdom’s National Cycling network. The tunnels were built to connect the Tyneside neighborhoods of Howdon and Jarrow. A wondrful engineering project which involved miners operating in compressed air to excavate the tunnels. It actually consists of two tunnels running in parallel, one for pedestrian use with a 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) diameter, and a larger 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) diameter tunnel for pedal cyclis

The Victoria Tunnel is a subterranean waggonway that runs under Newcastle upon Tyne, England, from the Town Moor down to the River Tyne. It was built between 1839 and 1842 to transport coal from Leazes Main Colliery in Spital Tongues to riverside staithes (jetties) ready for loading onto boats for export. The Tunnel is open all year round to the public for guided tours which include fantastic sound and visual effects, running regularly throughout the year.

The Williamson Tunnels are a series of extensive subterranean excavations, of unknown purpose, in the Edge Hill area of Liverpool, England. It provides an insight into the fascinating underground world created by Joseph Williamson in the early 19th Century. Take a guided tour through a section of the network of tunnels and view exhibitions which depict the life and times of one of Liverpool's most eccentric characters.