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Local historyYou are in: North Yorkshire > History > Local history > The Harrogate Underground  The Harrogate UndergroundDid you know there's an old railway tunnel and air raid shelter underneath Harrogate? The tunnel was abandoned 146 years ago and the far end near Leeds road became an air raid shelter during the war years.  The northern entrance to the Brunswick tunnel. Phill Davison is a member of the Leeds historical expedition society. He recently photographed and documented the little-known Brunswick railway tunnel & air raid shelter, underneath Harrogate. These, he believes, are the only pictures ever to be taken down there. This is his account of the tunnel's history. George Hudson and the York and North Midland railway completed the line from Church Fenton in 1848. When it reached the site of what is now Harrogate's Hornbeam Park station, it veered left and then plunged under the 400 yard long Brunswick tunnel, before emerging on what is now the far side of the Leeds Road/Park Drive roundabout.  Park Drive roundabout where the tunnel ended. Here the line followed a discreet cutting before reaching Brunswick station, built opposite Trinity church, on Trinity road next to the stray. The only evidence the station was here these days is a plaque set in stone opposite the church.  Site of Brunswick Station and plaque stone. The station was built here, because it was not allowed to cross the Stray, for fears of noise and smoke polluting the area. However attitudes had changed towards the railway by 1862 when the North Eastern railway arrived in the town and completed the new station where it still stands today. The branch through Brunswick tunnel and the station was then abandoned after only 14 years in operation.  Looking up the stairs which lead to Leeds rd. During the Second World War the tunnel was converted into an air raid shelter with steps leading down to it from the Leeds road roundabout area. Workmen constructing the roundabout in the 1960's accidentally dug into the roof of the tunnel not knowing it was there. The air raid shelter was abandoned by 1943. Today the entrance is filled in leaving no trace it was ever there. Walking along tree-lined Langcliffe Avenue these days you would never know the old tunnel and air raid shelter are only a few feet below the road.  Langcliffe Ave. The tunnel runs under it. The tunnel is in remarkably good condition considering it has been abandoned for 146 years, you can even see the indents in the floor were the sleepers used to be.  The tunnel still has the rail sleeper marks. The air raid shelter was built with six foot high blast walls and wooden benches running along both sides of the tunnel. Toilet cubicles were also to be found in all four corners. There was also evidence of electric cabling suggesting there was a light and power supply down there during the war.  The air-raid shelter - note the stalactites Today the tunnel is a long-forgotten relic of an enterprising age, but I hope my pictures and story have brought back a few memories and recollections for local folk, and at the same time recorded a piece of Harrogate's railway heritage for future generations. Please note the tunnel entrance is on private property and visits are discouraged without official permission. Phill Davisonlast updated: 01/10/2008 at 16:05 Have Your SayAdd your own stories and recollections of Harrogate's history here.
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