Opened : ?
Closed : 1964
Engineering code : SAD
Length: Devonshire Hill ---m, Combe Down ----m, Chilcompton Up/Dn 65m, Windsor Hill Up --132yds, Windsor Hill Down 230 yds
. I headed across the Mendips to Chilcompton on the old Someset and Dorset line. Here, there are parallel twin tunnels, about 60m long. The tunnels are technocally private property, and there are warning signs saying that the site is monitored by hidden CCTV. Wether there are actully any cameras, I do not know, but I proceeded anyway. The left 'up' tunnel is bricked up and the wall has a locked door in it., the right 'down' tunnel is open at its southern end.THe northen approach cutting has been backfilled. This tunnel is used for storing builder's supplies. I took some photos and left.
Later, I moved further down the S&D to Shepton Mallet, where there are the two Windosr Hill tunnels. THese are non-identical parallel tunnels, set quite far apart. THe 'up' tunnel is short, at 130 yds and the down tunnel is 100 yds longer. Both tunnels are open and accessible, although the northen approach cutting is a bit of a scramble. The tunnels are also of an unusual profile, being almost pentagonal. The longer tunnel is partially unlined.
Chilcompton Tunnels - 5 images
South portals |
Inside |
Again |
Refuge |
From the back (north end) |
West portal |
Inside west portal |
Better pic |
Near the middle |
Inside east portal |
 East portal |
East Portal |
Inside east portla |
Rough unlined tunnelwork |
Partially lined |
That looks better |
Damp brickwork |
End of the lining |
West portal |