Site Records

Site Name: Brunswick Tunnel

Langcliffe Avenue
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
OS Grid Ref: SE308541 (East portal)

Sub Brit site visit 7th September 2008

The twin track tunnel which follows the line of Langcliffe Avenue has stone built walls with a brick lined roof arch.  There are no refuges or air shafts in its 400 yard length. Generally the tunnel is in surprisingly good condition considering its age and lack of maintenance. There are long stalactites hanging from the roof for much of its length with corresponding stalagmites now forming on the floor. The first section is wet but once out of the water the tunnel is dry throughout. There is still ballast on the floor and the indentations left by the sleepers can be clearly seen.

The air raid shelter is located at the west end of the tunnel where a 'room' has been created by building two brick walls across the tunnel. These walls are approximately 8-feet high but do not extend into the tunnel arch. There is a doorway in the centre of the wall giving access to the shelter. Inside the shelter, the tunnel walls have been lined with brick to a height of 6-feet. Within the walled area a concrete floor has been laid and brick supports for wooden benches can be seen along both tunnel walls. At each corner, the remains of two brick built chemical toilet cubicles can still be seen although these are now in poor condition.

At the far end of the shelter beyond the second brick wall the north tunnel portal has been backfilled. Another doorway leads to a flight of concrete steps up one side of the backfill exiting the tunnel at roof level where the stonework of the north portal can still be seen. At the top of the stairs, a narrow brick lined tunnel turns to the right where further steps lead up to the now backfilled entrance on Leeds Road round a further corner to the left. An old handrail can be seen protruding from the rubble.

There is surprisingly little graffiti throughout the tunnel; what there is appears to date from the 1970s/80s when the tunnel was more easily accessible.

Other web sites: Article on the tunnel in the Harrogate Advertiser 7th February 2008.  BBC North & North Yorkshire web site includes a photo gallery. Lost Railways of West Yorkshire includes a photo gallery. Leeds Historical Expedition Society historical report with lots of pictures that don't open. Some of the missing pictures are duplicated on Phill Davisons Flickr photo stream .

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