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30
Jan 2022
Photos reveal hidden history of Harrogate's abandoned railway tunnel
Recent photos have revealed Harrogate's abandoned railway tunnel and air-raid shelter close to the Stray.
The pictures were taken by an urban explorer who uses the name Venturing Off Limits on social media and agreed to share them with the Stray Ferret. They show the dark and dank brick passage, known locally as 'The Darky', with icy stalactites hanging from the roof.
The only evidence of humans being there is a discarded shopping trolley. So what's the story behind this tunnel?
Abandoned for good
The last train passed through Brunswick Tunnel over 150 years ago.
The tunnel begins close to the current Hornbeam Park station and runs underneath the present-day Langcliffe Avenue, towards St Mark's Church on Leeds Road.
Credit: Venturing Off Limits
It served Harrogate's first railway station, Brunswick Station, which was only in operation for 14 years before the current station was built.
Locals and businesses initially opposed the railway, fearing an influx of people from Leeds and Bradford would lower the tone of the town.
Brunswick Tunnel runs underneath Langcliffe Avenue
The tunnel was resurrected as an air raid shelter during WW2 before being abandoned for good in 1943.
In 1954, the government surveyed the tunnel to bring it back into possible use, but this idea never materialised.
Read More:
- Malcolm Neesam History: The Sun Pavilion and Colonnade, Valley Gardens
- Malcolm Neesam History: Harrogate’s thriving working men’s clubs
Park Drive roundabout
The tunnel runs under where the Park Drive roundabout is now.
When the roundabout was built in the 1960s, workers accidentally dug into the roof of the tunnel not knowing it was there.
The Park Drive roundabout
Today the only evidence above ground of Brunswick Station, which was made out of timber, is a plaque mounted on a stone at the site, which is close to the Prince of Wales roundabout.
Brunswick Station plaque
Brunswick Station is on the left of this drawing. You can see the present Otley Road and Harlow Hill in the background.
The entrance to the Brunswick Tunnel is on private land and The Stray Ferret does not encourage anyone to try to enter.
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