Underground Nuclear Bunker

[Ben Pid]

Wow....I just read this...

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1849406,00.html

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4421786.stm

 

It sounds so cool, does anyone on here live around the Corsham in Wiltshire area and heard of it attall? or even know where it is.

 

LoL. Perhaps we should buy it and turn into an underground race of Cachers.

[+The Wombles]

......... does anyone on here live around the Corsham in Wiltshire area and heard of it attall? or even know where it is.

 

Yep, and have been in parts of the underground system. The quarry forms part of the complex with the Box railway tunnel and is huge - in fact there's a local cave rescue organisation in case people get lost down there.

 

Parts of it are really quite clostrophobic, requiring you to crawl over the enormous blocks which have fallen from the roof - and they do fall from time to time. You mustn't lean on the wooden roof support timbers because they rot from the inside and can give way.

 

However, it is a really interesting place and I'm planning a cache there......

[+KiwiGary]

Hi,

 

No good for caching Ben, contrary to what you see on the TV Show Spooks most GPS wouldn't work underground.

 

That show get funnier and funnier, just watch it for the funny techo blunders...

 

Does sound like a cool place.

 

See ya...Gary

[+Stuey]

No good for caching Ben, contrary to what you see on the TV Show Spooks most GPS wouldn't work underground.

Underground caching is perfectly possible.

 

You could always have a "letterbox hybrid" style cache with instructions/directions on how to find the box from the entrance on the cache page (60 paces, right turn, crawl for 20 metres etc. etc.).

 

I'm keeping an eye out for that one!

[+Moote]

This is an amazing place I have been in the Box Complex on several occasions; I remember excellent website about it, but sadly it appears to have gone.

 

If you want more info there is a good book about the Box Stone Quarries, also there are some excellent underground plans by (if my memory is correct) The Shepton Mallett Caving Club.

 

This is not a place to just visit though as you can easily get lost in the 90km + of tunnels; it does take a trained cavers eye to get around and as rightly put your GPS is no good here.

 

Have a look at this site Nettleden if does have some good pics of several of the bath stone workings

 

Milton (aka Moote)

 

PS If you ask nicely enough I might be tempted to take a few in some of the legal to enter parts.

Edited November 9, 2005 by Moote

[+The Wombles]

Stuey has hit the right model although the box can't be in the underground system due to restrictions.

 

Moote is also correct about taking this place seriously and sensible precautions are essential.

[+Naefearjustbeer]

I think a big torch and a very (very very very) long ball of string might come in handy for any exploration.

[+Gralorn]

It would have to be a big ball of string, there are 85 miles of tunnels!! I also recommend the book 'Secret Underground Cities' by N J McCamley.

 

PS: When are you setting up your cache Mr Womble?

[+The Wombles]

PS: When are you setting up your cache Mr Womble?

 

It's in preparation as part of a series - not going smoothly!

[Big Black Bunny]

This whole area is riddled with tunnels. I have been in box mines,( I even went to a stag night down there) but you do need an expert and the right equipment. Would this count as burying the cache?

 

For more information on things underground try this site.

click here

 

corsham page

[+Moote]

Yippee found one of the site I could not find Here

 

Moote

Edited November 9, 2005 by Moote

[+McDeHack]

Between 1956 -1958 I was stationed in Corsham. The 'digger' as we called it was an ammunition storage depot. There were 300+ steps down that took you to many chambers. It reminded one of an underground prison. Yes it went for miles. There were other underground sub depots nearby. Easton and Monkton Farleigh were the others. As I was involved in 'demolitions' it was at times my job to transport the 'sick' stuff out to Larkhill in Salisbury plains, (with police escorts) and blow the stuff up. (Most enjoyable).

The last time that I visited the area was in 1962 and it was still being used. It would be interesting to know what goes on there now.

As for a hidey-hole for the government, that was not in the time I was there.

It would have been too risky as the whole underground areas as I said were filled with munitions.

[+Moote]

Even better I have found the other

 

Box / Corsham / Monkton

 

Milton (aka Moote)

[+lordelph]

Topic title reminded of this, always good for a giggle...

 

[+House Of Boo]

Is anyone else thinking this would be an excellent CACHE EVENT venue??? Or is it just me???

 

House Of Boo

[+Moote]

Is anyone else thinking this would be an excellent CACHE EVENT venue??? Or is it just me???

 

House Of Boo

Now Now House of Boo!

 

I have spent far too much time rescuing people in the past from place like this. I would strongly not recommend this as a venue unless you could attract one competent caver to every five others. Really and honestly these places can't be treated as a playground, to visit can be a serious undertaking. I am prepared to take a small group but would not endorse much more unless it was strongly supervised. Sounds like a stick in the mud attitude but it is folks such as myself who have to put ourselves at risk when things go wrong.

 

Milton (aka Moote)

[+Kitty Hawk]

 

Milton (aka Moote)

 

PS If you ask nicely enough I might be tempted to take a few in some of the legal to enter parts.

I've been down some bits, but they were just tunnels big enough to drive a mini down, does it get more interesting?

[+Moote]

 

Milton (aka Moote)

 

PS If you ask nicely enough I might be tempted to take a few in some of the legal to enter parts.

I've been down some bits, but they were just tunnels big enough to drive a mini down, does it get more interesting?

Yes it does, but then again I love being anywhere underground, I go to this kind of place to feel at one with the industrial revolution

[+Alibags]

Of course if you fancy organising an underground event there is always Fort Amherst in Kent, which hires out rooms for parties etc. I have been there for various events in the past, and it's quite a fun place to run around at night (and not especially dangerous - apart from if you are stoopid like my ex, who found an 18th Century latrine to fall down, when drunk at 3.00am!).

 

[+Simply Paul]

You can hire the 'naughty' Hellfire Club's caves at West Wycombe too: http://www.hellfirecaves.co.uk/

As featured on Dr Who, they're quite a complex with a cool central 'cave'.

 

As for underground caches, I did this one last week and loved it: ALPHA QUEST-Y (Northants) by Messe.

 

SP

 

Edit to fix link - Thanks Bill D

Edited November 9, 2005 by Simply Paul

[+McDeHack]

As has been stated. there are many caves in the area. At the time serving Queen and country, many execises were held in the caves and area.

 

Box Hill has been mentioned. There was a rifle range that ran alongside the railway line at one end of the tunnel.

 

As mentioned in the text. I was a frequent visitor to the 'Station' that the London to Bristol line had a spur that went into the Corsham 'Digger' site.

 

As Moote says. It would be so easy to get lost in some of these caves/tunnels.

[+Bill D (wwh)]

SP, your Alpha Quest Y link is faulty. The cache page is here.

[+Billy Twigger]

Underground caches are the dogs!

I just love Pooters "Walk in the Dark" cache (probably the only cache I go back to just for fun!)

 

Great for testing my trusty Garmin Subtex 1-4

[nobby.nobbs]

at 6'7'' i learnt my lesson down in cornwall in that open tin mine, do not go into caves as you'll spend the whole time bent double hitting your head looking at the floor.

[+The Blorenges]

at 6'7'' i learnt my lesson down in cornwall in that open tin mine, do not go into caves as you'll spend the whole time bent double hitting your head looking at the floor.

Yep, we breed 'em small in Cornwall

[NickPick]

at 6'7'' i learnt my lesson down in cornwall in that open tin mine, do not go into caves as you'll spend the whole time bent double hitting your head looking at the floor.

I had a similar experience in Poldark mine, although I'm only 6' 1". The funniest thing was watching/helping my heavily pregnant wife through some of the narrow gaps.

[theneals]

maps are availble for the box quarry drawn up by the shepton mallet caving club i helped out on several occasions with the surveying around 1993/1994. The maps can be viewed in the quarrymans arms box along with several tools on the wall. The nearest cache the pub and quarry entrance would be box common. the box quarry is very complex and i would not recomend a visit unless with a experience caver. There is a little quarry called near by called swan mine at kingsdown this has very interesting sites including a crane and horseshoes prints from the quarrys working days.

[+Moote]

maps are availble for the box quarry drawn up by the shepton mallet caving club i helped out on several occasions with the surveying around 1993/1994. The maps can be viewed in the quarrymans arms box along with several tools on the wall. The nearest cache the pub and quarry entrance would be box common. the box quarry is very complex and i would not recomend a visit unless with a experience caver. There is a little quarry called near by called swan mine at kingsdown this has very interesting sites including a crane and horseshoes prints from the quarrys working days.

I know that these surveys are available but that does not mean that any novice should enter this Complex; I myself have been inside and got lost for 1/2 hour till I could reaquaint myself with the topography underground (Usually done by finding a know major place (the Cathedral in this case)) But unless you really have years of underground experience DON'T GO HERE

 

Milton (aka Moote)

Edited November 10, 2005 by Moote

[NickPick]

But unless you really have years of underground experience DON'T GO HERE

 

Milton (aka Moote)

 

Isn't that Bekandian's website address?

[+perth pathfinders]

Have any of you seen Chislehurst Caves, great place to visit, you carry a lamp around as there is no elecric lighting, and they are bookable for parties.

 

20 miles of caves, all dug out by hand.

 

Chislehurst caves

 

It is a maze of caves, and you need a guide to take you around, there is a long trip and a short trip - the long trip is definately the best!! It's so good, I've been there twice! They have disco parties there, and then when the couples disappear down the tunnels, they have to send search parties out to find them.

Edited November 10, 2005 by perth pathfinders

[Ben Pid]

Of course if you fancy organising an underground event there is always Fort Amherst in Kent, which hires out rooms for parties etc. I have been there for various events in the past, and it's quite a fun place to run around at night (and not especially dangerous - apart from if you are stoopid like my ex, who found an 18th Century latrine to fall down, when drunk at 3.00am!).

 

Ali. I am so thinking Halloween Event 2006..... Email Dan and the Bugs with that link, it looks awesome!

[+bargee]

Stayingon tyhe cave theme, isn't there a warren of underground passeges under edge hill in liverpool all dug out by the poor, as work for idle hands, in the 18th century?

 

i'm sure the railway cutting into lime street cuts through some of them

 

and while i worked in the big smoke (cough cough) before i came to my senses and moved back to cheshire

i was an engineer on the Merril lynch european headquaters which was built on the old post office yard by st.pauls,

and while we were building the 4 storey basement

we were sealing up the old postal system underground tunnels and excavating out parts of the london roman wall,

even found a buried horse in the filled in ditch behind the wall

[+Moote]

Stayingon tyhe cave theme, isn't there a warren of underground passeges under edge hill in liverpool all dug out by the poor, as work for idle hands, in the 18th century?

 

i'm sure the railway cutting into lime street cuts through some of them

 

and while i worked in the big smoke (cough cough) before i came to my senses and moved back to cheshire

i was an engineer on the Merril lynch european headquaters which was built on the old post office yard by st.pauls,

and while we were building the 4 storey basement

we were sealing up the old postal system underground tunnels and excavating out parts of the london roman wall,

even found a buried horse in the filled in ditch behind the wall

You will find that most large towns have some underground past; from Dover and Margate, Up through London where there are several and onto Nottingham, Dudley, Stockport, the list goes on. Most are not really caves but some are as, if not more dangerous than some caves.

 

Milton (aka Moote)

Edited November 10, 2005 by Moote

[WillDeBeast]

No good for caching Ben, contrary to what you see on the TV Show Spooks most GPS wouldn't work underground.

Underground caching is perfectly possible.

 

You could always have a "letterbox hybrid" style cache with instructions/directions on how to find the box from the entrance on the cache page (60 paces, right turn, crawl for 20 metres etc. etc.).

 

I'm keeping an eye out for that one!

er...check out your own Top Ten Caches Stuey, I think you've already been there!!! Nothing like a bit of self advertising []

 

Anyway, I once took part in an Orienteering Competition in monkton Farleigh Mine, it was the most surreal experience I've had and the first time I've used a 3D map!

[+lathama]

at 6'7'' i learnt my lesson down in cornwall in that open tin mine, do not go into caves as you'll spend the whole time bent double hitting your head looking at the floor.

6'8 1/2" i know exactly how u feel!

[+The Cache Hoppers]

Haven't read through all of this, but you might want to check out this site if it hasn't already been mentioned.

[davethecave]

I love Box mines and have spent many hours lost in there. I have seen some really silly incidents too.

Two teenage girls with a single torch between them, a group of a dozen or so with a tilley lamp as their only light source, two chaps lost with a cigarette lighter and a ball of wool being their only guide. None of these parties had helmets.

I once went up to one of the far workings with a chap named Hine. Our goal was the "Fraser / Hine" wall which he had built several years earlier to hold up the un-stable roof. He was very proud to have a landmark named after him. When we reached the spot, the wall had collapsed under a huge slab of rock. (sorry John )

 

Now (being all growed up and sensible) I would not recommend going into the mines unless you are a competent caver or with a competent caver who has a reasonable knowledge of the workings.

Having said that, my early trips were as a teenager armed only with the survey which pre-dated the SMCC survey and wandering aimlessly until we found a light at the end of the tunnel. Pot kettle black??

 

There are some great things not to be missed, standing next to the air shafts from the Box tunnel while a train goes through is scary, and the damp-proof courses in the MOD sections are just silly. There is some superb graffiti and the cranes are dangerous but fascinating.

Anyone fancy a trip?

 

Dave

[+Moote]

Anyone fancy a trip?

 

Dave

Dave if you organise anything let me know and I'll come along. I'll be an asset as I do cave myself.

 

Milton (aka Moote)

[+doctor scotland]

Ive spent many many hours in box, monkton farleigh, ridge, browns, spring and sands, brewers, and swan to name a few.

 

wouldnt recommend anyone who isnt experienced to go down any of these underground quarries at all!!

 

i think it would be really wrong for a cache to be placed in such areas - due to the following -

 

1, the complete vastness of many of these quarries - we're talking tens of miles of passages in some of the locations (and thats just the surveyed mileage!) its so easy to get lost even if you think you know your way around, and even if you have a copy of a survey!

 

2, restrictions due to ownership (many of these places are MOD owned) and access is not allowed. there might be a way in, but you might be doing a big naughty by going in!

 

3, many of these places are full of bats (well, maybe not full, but there are some!) and laws exist regarding the disturbance of such flappy creatures!

 

4, its good to know about such underground places, but maybe not so good to tell the whole world, and his/her kids thats its a cool place to go looking in! by telling, these places unfortunately get locked up, or the entrances filled in.

 

5, gps dont work under the soil! and step by step directions in a vast underground maze can easily lead to confussion!

 

having said that though, if anyone does really really feel the need to go to some of these places, then please contact either myself, others on this forum willing to take people down there, or websites like www.darkplaces.co.uk

[+The Wombles]

After listening to the advice of many here and elsewhere we've decided against using the Box system for our mystery cache. Having been through there myself on several occasions, but had the benefit of being with "experts" each time, we certainly endorse the views of this being an interesting place.

[+choccymandm]

4, its good to know about such underground places, but maybe not so good to tell the whole world, and his/her kids thats its a cool place to go looking in! by telling, these places unfortunately get locked up, or the entrances filled in.

Interesting that you should say that as the Nettleden website, as mention by Moote above, used to be restricted access but is now free to all to browse. Originally you could only gain access to it if you sent an email to the website owner giving a good reason why you should be allowed access!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

edit <grammer sucks today>

Edited November 13, 2005 by choccymandm

[+Moote]

4, its good to know about such underground places, but maybe not so good to tell the whole world, and his/her kids thats its a cool place to go looking in! by telling, these places unfortunately get locked up, or the entrances filled in.

Interesting that you should say that as the Nettleden website, as mention by Moote above, used to be restricted access but is now free to all to browse. Originally you could only gain access to it if you sent an email to the website owner giving a good reason why you should be allowed access!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

edit <grammer sucks today>

Originally Nettleden.com was unrestricted then for a short period it was restricted (not sure why) but then they took the restriction back off it.

 

Now if you look at my caving clubs website that has never been restricted except for the Club forum and news RRCPC Now we are the custodians of the longest cave in the UK at nearly 100 km but we freely allow anybody to look at our website, be they cavers or not. In fact I would encourage people to look as if they like what they see they might just become a club member.

 

I think what is just needed is common sense here, most poses this some do not, lets hope that we all do and take up a trip offer from one of the skilled caving few

 

Milton (aka Moote)

[davethecave]

Well I`m game. Maybe next year rather than disturb the bats during hibernation.

 

I`ve got a few pics of Box mines including cranes and some superb 19th century graffite. If I can get my scanner to work I ll post them.

 

So Moote is a Red Rose member. We have probably met in Bernies or The Marton Arms....you don`t need to be a caver to appreciate a Marton Arms pizza, just hungry. The same applies to a Bernies` breakfast.

 

The South Wales CC has a virtual tour available on-line here this is Ogof Fynnon Du (sp) one of the best caves in the country. Saves getting wet and expending too much energy. Just keep clicking on the pictures to find your way.

 

Dave

[+Moote]

Bernies` breakfast.

 

Would you like to take that Supersized sir!

[+John & Hazel]

I`ve got a few pics of Box mines including cranes and some superb 19th century graffite. If I can get my scanner to work I ll post them.

 

There's some good photos Here

[+The Blorenges]

The South Wales CC has a virtual tour available on-line here this is Ogof Fynnon Du (sp) one of the best caves in the country. Saves getting wet and expending too much energy. Just keep clicking on the pictures to find your way.

 

I just went caving! What a brilliant link! I've saved it as a favourite and will return when I've more time, warmer clothes and a hot drink - Thanks, Dave!

Mrs B

[+Simply Paul]

Three year bump! I spent about 8 hours in Box Mines yesterday and can confirm it's not a place to wander around without knowing what you're doing. We had a map from the local pub and a good selection of torches and managed to get to see the brick figures tucked well away, looked up air shafts, heard trains passing in Box Tunnel below us and found lots of stone-working saws and a crane. All good fun but I was glad to get out in the end!

 

Now for the real point of this bump: Is there a bookmark list of 'underground caches'?

[+Bear and Ragged]

Is there a bookmark list of 'underground caches'?

 

Looks like you've volunteered to start one!

[+vw_k]

Crikey, I'd almost forgotten about this place!

Never been but always wanted to go, I was a keen urban explorer before caching and have visited places such as Epsom Deep Shelter (near the racecourse).

[Edgemaster]

Crikey, I'd almost forgotten about this place!

Never been but always wanted to go, I was a keen urban explorer before caching and have visited places such as Epsom Deep Shelter (near the racecourse).

Really? Never heard of this before - I'll google it some more, since it's literally just a cycle ride away.