Report - Champagne Caves/Tunnels, Dover, Uk - April 2022

[DE-eVOLVED]

Champagne Caves, Dover - April 2022

This set of tunnels is located just West of the tunnels known as the Oil Mills, in the Limekiln Street area of Dover.

It is likely that the tunnels were originally the result of chalk being mined for lime burning in the nearby kilns during the 19th Century.

The five roughly parallel tunnels are cut directly into the chalk cliff face with adjoining passages between, and have very high ceilings and evidence of originally having a second floor.

The caves were used as a Bonded Store to house goods awaiting payment of customs tax and later as an air raid shelter and temporary fire station during WW2.

These tunnels have been known by a number of names over the years, including 'Finnis Hill Caves', 'Champagne Caves' and simply 'Oil Mill Cave'.

The area in front of the caves (part of the Pier District) has been greatly modified with the expansion of the harbour, Finnis Hill and Limekiln Street having been demolished.

The caves were used by Hammonds to store fruit, until the building of the new road in the cc1990s, which left the main entrance below ground level.

The only access remains from a second floor doorway.

- DE-eVOLVED

 

[Olkka]

Nice report but the hoodies made me wretch

 

[obscurity]

Nice report, good bit of history this is so much better than you Lydden report.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Nice to see. Good reporting

 

[jST]

What does the blue text say under 'JUST EXPLORING'?

 

[HughieD]

Ah, matching hoodies. That's cute.

 

[6harmanj6]

These tunnels are now secure and have 24-hour security the person who is occupying the tunnels in the Hammonds's yard has had things stolen and has now sealed them with granite blocks that are 2 -3 feet thick and steel doors on the outside. The section behind the Limekiln Street fuel station is still currently open but is extremely trashed. If people still continue to try and enther them YOU will get a nasty shock.

 

[Scoobysrt]

It is illegal to booby trap your premises, I suggest you undo whatever it is you've done to give people a nasty shock before you find yourself locked up

 

[Elcamino;)]

These tunnels are now secure and have 24-hour security the person who is occupying the tunnels in the Hammonds's yard has had things stolen and has now sealed them with granite blocks that are 2 -3 feet thick and steel doors on the outside. The section behind the Limekiln Street fuel station is still currently open but is extremely trashed. If people still continue to try and enther them YOU will get a nasty shock.

There’s nothing to steal from this particular part of the mills though🤨