Covering
Explored in late January 2025, the site is still accessible, despite being surrounded by high palisade fencing, part of which is in poor condition.
History
The Farleigh Down Tunnel, located near Bath, England, is a disused World War II-era site with a rich logistical history. Originally built as part of the Monkton Farleigh underground ammunition depot, the tunnel was designed to securely store and transport munitions for the British military. Constructed in the early 1940s, it utilized a disused railway line and extensive underground chambers carved into the hillside.
This facility played a vital role during the war effort, serving as a secure and hidden storage location that supported neighboring wartime installations. The Farleigh Down Tunnel is one of several in the surrounding area, as the region's geology made it ideal for creating hidden wartime infrastructure. Nearby, the Box Tunnel and various quarries in the Corsham area were also adapted for military purposes, functioning as storage depots, communication hubs, and even command centers. Together, these tunnels formed an expansive and resourceful underground network critical to the Allied war effort.
Visit
We visited the site around 5:00 PM, by which time it was already dark, making torches essential for exploration. We parked in the nearby village of Kingsdown at The Swan Inn (which is also home to another accessible cave system) and walked about 20 minutes to the site through fields with gates and easily identifiable footpaths. Tip: Waterproof footwear is recommended, as the tunnels are wet.
Following the track, you’ll first encounter an above-ground complex—a small concrete structure. While there isn’t much to see here other than graffiti, it’s still worth a quick look. Continuing along the path, you’ll eventually arrive at the high palisade fencing intended to deter entry. However, it’s apparent that the fencing is in poor condition, making access straightforward if you look around.
Upon entering the complex, you’ll need to navigate carefully to avoid the many maintenance holes in the ground. Descend the slope-style shaft to reach the main depot entrance. Inside, you’ll find remnants of offices and storage rooms that would have been used to log the activity of the depot. Sadly, not much remains today apart from a boiler and some rusting machinery.
From here, the main tunnel begins. The 1.25-mile-long passage is inclined upwards and dotted with uncovered maintenance holes, so watch your step. The tunnel's walls are covered in graffiti, which becomes a significant focus of exploration and can slow your progress. At the far end, there’s a tight squeeze that once connected to additional tunnels. However, due to commercial use and backfilling, this area is no longer accessible.
Finally, after completing the tunnel, you’ll come across an above-ground warehouse that would have been used to transport goods in and out of the depot. This warehouse is observable on Google Maps and serves as a reminder of the site’s wartime logistical importance.
Photos
Explored in late January 2025, the site is still accessible, despite being surrounded by high palisade fencing, part of which is in poor condition.
History
The Farleigh Down Tunnel, located near Bath, England, is a disused World War II-era site with a rich logistical history. Originally built as part of the Monkton Farleigh underground ammunition depot, the tunnel was designed to securely store and transport munitions for the British military. Constructed in the early 1940s, it utilized a disused railway line and extensive underground chambers carved into the hillside.
This facility played a vital role during the war effort, serving as a secure and hidden storage location that supported neighboring wartime installations. The Farleigh Down Tunnel is one of several in the surrounding area, as the region's geology made it ideal for creating hidden wartime infrastructure. Nearby, the Box Tunnel and various quarries in the Corsham area were also adapted for military purposes, functioning as storage depots, communication hubs, and even command centers. Together, these tunnels formed an expansive and resourceful underground network critical to the Allied war effort.
Visit
We visited the site around 5:00 PM, by which time it was already dark, making torches essential for exploration. We parked in the nearby village of Kingsdown at The Swan Inn (which is also home to another accessible cave system) and walked about 20 minutes to the site through fields with gates and easily identifiable footpaths. Tip: Waterproof footwear is recommended, as the tunnels are wet.
Following the track, you’ll first encounter an above-ground complex—a small concrete structure. While there isn’t much to see here other than graffiti, it’s still worth a quick look. Continuing along the path, you’ll eventually arrive at the high palisade fencing intended to deter entry. However, it’s apparent that the fencing is in poor condition, making access straightforward if you look around.
Upon entering the complex, you’ll need to navigate carefully to avoid the many maintenance holes in the ground. Descend the slope-style shaft to reach the main depot entrance. Inside, you’ll find remnants of offices and storage rooms that would have been used to log the activity of the depot. Sadly, not much remains today apart from a boiler and some rusting machinery.
From here, the main tunnel begins. The 1.25-mile-long passage is inclined upwards and dotted with uncovered maintenance holes, so watch your step. The tunnel's walls are covered in graffiti, which becomes a significant focus of exploration and can slow your progress. At the far end, there’s a tight squeeze that once connected to additional tunnels. However, due to commercial use and backfilling, this area is no longer accessible.
Finally, after completing the tunnel, you’ll come across an above-ground warehouse that would have been used to transport goods in and out of the depot. This warehouse is observable on Google Maps and serves as a reminder of the site’s wartime logistical importance.
Photos
