ABANDONED UK NAVAL UNDERGROUND HQ BUNKER - HMS Forward

[@ExploringWithin]

This is now sealed off with security measures now I believe

[@gordybishop2375]

Like security checks it once a decade …lol Weird they did not fill it in before building houses on top.

[@mogadon7]

The way things are going it might be needed.

[@frankiefourfingers6717]

@@gordybishop2375might need it

[@Budzy485]

As an Aussie, this is what I love about the UK and Europe, so much history within the ground you’re standing on. If you dig a hole in your front yard you never know what you might find.

[@ExploringWithin]

Very true, that’s what makes it so exciting!

[@paulvamos7319]

Thank you Steve for taking us exploring that bit of history! Thanks to Matthew and Ray too!👍

[@MarcUK]

HMS Forward was decommissioned after WW2 in 1945. It was never converted to a cold war bunker. That small room as you entered, that had the small hole looking towards the entrance, was a machine-gun pill box. As was the one on the right up those stairs. One of those exits came up inside a building named the Guinness Trust Holiday Home in South Heighton. In the early 90's some people found the room inside and dug down into the tunnel. Sadly in 1996, the building got demolished to build a housing estate. A book was published in late 1996 - The Secret Tunnels of South Heighton: Tribute to H.M.S. "Forward" by Geoffrey Ellis. He interviewed a number of people on video who are probably no longer alive sadly.

[@mogadon7]

If you want to save 40 minutes its one long tunnel of a video not too much else.

[@gaynor3976]

Really interesting with so many twists and turns. I've learnt more about bunkers and where they are during the last few months watching Matt, Alex, Ray and yourself than ever before and found it all really intriguing. Thanks for the explore and for being able to show us what we didn't know existed in our homeland xx

[@ExploringWithin]

Thanks for the support, glad you’re enjoying the videos and finding it all interesting. Not everyone can get out and about to explore these places so it’s good to bring it to people with our videos 😁

[@TheAmericanCanadian1973]

Good explore. Good funny bits. Thx for the extra bits What would Alex do lol

[@ExploringWithin]

Thanks 🙏

[@ste9071]

Great find, future generations in hundreds of years time will find these places and probably scratch their heads. Great hideout, anyone fancy applying for C4 Hunted with me, Pete Blecksley would never find us. I'm a DS and womder just how many wanted individuals have hid out in these places over the years to avoid detection.

[@bigglesace1626]

Great explore, chaps. More history of this can be found online and in Geoffrey Ellis' book, 'The Secret Tunnels of South Heighton'. Lots of old plans and pics from when they reopened the entrance in the floor of room 16, Denton House - demolished in the 90's. The other stairways led up to defensive pill boxes, one of which was disguised as a hen house. This one stood in what is now the garden of a house on Glynde Close.

[@ExploringWithin]

Nice thanks for the info 👍

[@raymckenzie705]

Wow that was a great video from start to finish the way I was a bit tight for you all and it was great to watch you thank you

[@ExploringWithin]

Thanks glad you enjoyed! 🙏👍

[@brutisthepastysmasher]

The lack of rust on the way in let's us know you brought a grinder😂

[@Andrew-ib7us]

That was awesome guys really enjoyed the video

[@ExploringWithin]

Glad you enjoyed

[@ExploringWithin]

I have shown the entrance to this bunker as it’s already readily available online, and it also sits in plain view along a busy road.

[@Andyroo1984]

That metal door looked freshly cut with no corrosion at all on the edges, very fresh

[@ExploringWithin]

It did yes! I think it had been open only a matter of days before we got there. We got a tip it was open so rushed down there before it got sealed again

[@thomascochrane3100]

Glad someone else mentioned it. Too much of a coincidence that it gets cut open and these guys "got a tip"...

[@ExploringWithin]

@@thomascochrane3100 Coincidences do happen - I don’t break into places - I think you can probably tell that by my content!

[@andrewtaylor9634]

Yes very fresh cut that how strange

[@jamespattenden605]

Coincidences happen a lot to you, good job you purchased that battery operated angle grinder, Hope you put it onto your expenses for the vat man.

[@roberthatfull3816]

Was a few old places to explore near me in essex as a kid a few old tunnels pill boxes a two storey bunker was a couple i couldnt get into and allways wondered about tho ,the council had a clean up in the mid 90s and concreated loads of them up and demolished the rest was a shame but at least i explored a few ,great vid fellas 🤘

[@doug5uk]

This i believe was called HMS Forward during the war. There was an entrance at that time in a building that became Guinness Trust Holiday home after the war. I explored it as a kid in the 1960's.

[@ExploringWithin]

Yep it’s HMS Forward. I believe the building is still there where the escape hatch is.

[@KJahDayz]

Matt always lives this stuff what a legend wish I had one near me

[@buffplums]

I’m amazed that the entrance is so open. I reckon that manhole cover you came to is in a road on the estate. There is a set of tunnels under Tranmere in Birkenhead and one of the entrances was replaced by a manhole cover when the new estate was built on top.

[@ExploringWithin]

Interesting. The main entrance is now all fenced off with CCTV. Looks like they spent a bit of money to preserve and protect this bunker. You don’t tend to see this much effort with other bunkers.

[@xhesicadx]

Finally found your channel!!! Ive seen you tons on VacentHaven with the boys over there. Awesome explore!!!

[@ExploringWithin]

Thanks 🙏

[@Marilyn195]

That tunnel system under the subdivisions is amazing,and so huge the way it just keeps on going on..I’ll bet you all had sore tired legs after all that stair climbing that you all did🇨🇦

[@ExploringWithin]

Was an awesome explore! We are used to all the climbing 🧗‍♀️

[@sharonleong7120]

Another very interesting and great explore. I love it very much. Thanks Steve.👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@ExploringWithin]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks for watching 😁👍

[@Sunshinebeauty56]

Wow what a crazy adventure that was, great video❤

[@ExploringWithin]

Definitely one of our best ones! Glad you enjoyed this one 🙏

[@Trish1]

Amazing tunnels and in such good condition Would have been great to get out of one of the exits! Great explore and fab filming 👍

[@ExploringWithin]

Thanks for watching 😁 Yes shame we couldn’t get out one of the other exits, worth the look through.

[@darkurbanexploring]

Awesome explore guys keep up the awesome work 👍 👏

[@ExploringWithin]

Thanks dude 👍

[@Seat1AJoe]

Ooops got here late. Never seen this location before. Nice one Steve! Cheers to Matt and the French guy.

[@ExploringWithin]

No problem at all. Was a great location 💯

[@buffplums]

18:18 that would be a guard post, allows a guard to position himself safely out of the way if the bunker was attacked. They was that big Sanger / pill box structure on the main road probably used to defend the entrance and accessible from inside the tunnels.

[@ExploringWithin]

Seems logical, thanks for the info there 👍

[@RedFight]

Great exploration guys. I live nearby and knew about the bunker, but didnt picture it to be like that. I'd been up to the door before, but there was no hole in it. Its all blocked off now, with fencing and security cameras.

[@ExploringWithin]

You never know what’s beneath you which makes it all the more interesting. I have seen pictures of the entrance now with all the cameras and stuff. That isn’t typical of what they’d normally do, so my guess is they are looking to guard/protect it either for preservation or for future use at some point. Thanks for watching 👍

[@stevestheboy1]

thx guys

[@Johnketes54]

This similar to PADDOCK, At Dolis hill, Churchill's backup to the Imperial war rooms which he used only once! Too damp, A housing estate built above it, Nice opening music similar to Tangerine Dream

[@ExploringWithin]

Do you know if Paddock is ever open for tours? And glad you liked the intro music. Thanks for watching

[@markcherriman6136]

Did this place about 40 years ago . I never had steel doors then .

[@stephengolds9679]

More information about this can be found in Newhaven museum next to the Garden centre

[@djmossssomjd8496]

I've always said, if your looking for bunkers...look for higher ground (less water access :-). This was 2022 (early). In 2023 the entrance is fenced off..as shown on street view. Good explore lads.

[@ExploringWithin]

Thanks 👍👍

[@johnanthonycolley3803]

Likely the back filled rear tunnels with no steps leading to a single ladder, where ventilation shafts..

[@georgesmith8113]

Good one! 👍👊😎

[@ExploringWithin]

👍👍

[@qunvat]

Hi guys ..I've just moved to the hill above this (and over a bit and up the hill to Denton). Fascinating stuff! Where's the Welshie from (fellow Welshie). I've walked past the entrance many times with my dog and wondered what it was. Also spent the night at Newhaven Fort recently which is incredible...

[@ExploringWithin]

Glad the video gave you a look inside! I believe it’s got a fence and cameras outside it now from what I’ve heard and partly seen. Will have to look into Newhaven fort sounds interesting! And not actually sure where in Wales he’s from. Thanks for watching 👍

[@hahomy]

remember watching this when it premiered and Matt's can't believe that place is just in the middle of a housing estate..and how steep it was and how many stairs.... I wonder what they was used for, escape tunnels maybe.. there must be blocked entrances to people homes like u say hidden and blocked up that I bet home owners don't even know about..cool find though Steve..👍

[@ExploringWithin]

Yeah you never know that is underneath you! I suspect they were escape tunnels or other entrances. Would be good to know where they came out though. Defo an interesting one to explore. Thanks for watching!

[@SimsbyLJ]

Would love to visit somewhere like this, I find it extremely interesting 😍

[@ExploringWithin]

It’s very cool! I think it’s still currently open.

[@SimsbyLJ]

@@ExploringWithin I’m not brave enough! I am localish though so I could check! The rooms with large holes in the floor like swimming pools were communication rooms which would have had machines in, the random large holes in the floor were grenade pits 😊 thanks for uploading I’ve subscribed 👍🏼

[@ExploringWithin]

@@SimsbyLJ Definitely worth a look if you’ve got someone to go with. And that’s interesting thanks for the info on that 👍 Glad you enjoyed and thanks for subbing 😁

[@peterfeeney721]

Breathe quietly! Cannot hear a thing. Great find!

[@buffplums]

15:03 I think here there may have been a generator and a fuel tank. The 2 pits look like sumps for containing any spillage of fuel or oil from the genny and the fuel tank

[@ExploringWithin]

Yeah definitely a good point

[@emmabh2166]

Those tunnels around 30 minutes in are so disorienting!! I felt drunk with you haha-great explore as always

[@ExploringWithin]

Thanks 🙏 Yeah they were a bit, all good fun though 😆😎

[@charlestaylor9131]

Tin work looks in remarkable condition, very dry.

[@SeanBainbridge-ky1mw]

Hi guys what was the sound track culled that's played over the video at the start as I've heard it a lot but don't know what it is Could you tell me please if you know?

[@ExploringWithin]

If you open the video description up below, the song info is listed towards the end - it’s automatically added by KZbin

[@megamills150]

You never know what your walking over and this bunker is a great example look at the size of it and all the bends a very cool bunker and explore 👍💯

[@ExploringWithin]

Yeah you just never know what’s underneath you! All part of the fun exploring it 👍👍

[@gpo746]

The homeowners have missed a trick. They could have sealed off the roadside entrance and had themselves an extra room under their houses each home could have done thick concrete walls . Great storage/ panic room / bunker

[@Sparky68M]

Newhaven on the A26

[@SFS1009]

Not sure if mentioned before in the comments, Or on camera here...But TIGHT SQUEEZE BUNKER. SECRET Army Battle WW2 Underground HQ. MAN vs HOLE, Posted by TheSecretVault. The corridor builds in that video, are pretty much identical to those in this one. I guess this was a standard thing back in that time period? Gave me Deja Vu. Apologies if my knowledge on this subject is a little out...Only started watching a lot of different video's, And Urbex related stuff on KZbin within the last 24 hours, So it's relatively new to me.

[@ExploringWithin]

They certainly do all look similar but have different characteristics. Hope you enjoy all the explore videos 👍

[@SFS1009]

@@ExploringWithin Great stuff!

[@ExploringWithin]

@@SFS1009 more bunker explores here if you wanted to check them out kzbin.info/aero/PLc95b64gNtTlEH221hkm6YJKwzHZuN2o0&si=HlqUJ78y78LoHkCg

[@richardlangly4635]

I was surprised by the sheer size of the place! Would love to see where that hatch went, whether it was into someone's house or in a field or something.

[@ExploringWithin]

We were surprised on the size of the place as well. Would of been good to see the other side of the hatch.

[@robkennard1867]

Hi there- I used to play in these tunnels regularly as a kid- sometimes in the upper reaches you could hear domestic noises like hoovering in the houses above. One of the exits is now vented, and you can see the enclosure and grill on surface on the green by the Guineess Trust houses

[@ExploringWithin]

@@robkennard1867 That’s interesting thanks for the information there! The bit where we got to in the bunker where we couldn’t go any further, I’m sure we thought we could hear muffled sounds from above - perhaps that was a house above or something?

[@JD-wo5bx]

@@ExploringWithin Hi I'm Robs friend, we used to live above these tunnels and play/explore them in the 80's. I have a book a local man wrote about the history ISBN 1 85770 1011. The tunnels were acessed from the top in the War, the access is from the Guniess trust building (Denton House) which was taken over by the MOD. The other 'exits' were machine gun nests that were blocked up, one is near the old south heighton corner shop the others are actually in someones back garden. A quick google of HMS forward will give you more info. Also check Newhaven fort which has many more tunnels, but i expect they are all blocked now.

[@ExploringWithin]

@@JD-wo5bx Thanks for your info! Very interesting to hear. I will definitely look at checking out newhaven fort. Cheers 👍

[@AnthonyChopra]

After you threw the gate it would of been funny if the haatch was a doorway into someones kitchen were someone has boiled the ketel for a cuppa tea with now the exsplorers from underground. amazing tunnels

[@ExploringWithin]

Definitely would have been funny. Thanks for watching

[@jackiecampbell3365]

Currently watching this one in bkground while I'm busy .😊

[@neilbrownexplores1293]

Went today to explore there doing work there it's fenced off and has CCTV cameras

[@ExploringWithin]

Interesting thanks for the update. I assume they somewhat want to preserve it if they are going to those measures.

[@thomascochrane3100]

The most interesting aspect of this bunker was the freshly cut entrance. But not even a word about that. Did you guys get this entrance broken for your video?

[@ExploringWithin]

We had a tip off the bunker was literally just opened so I think it must have been literally opened a day or two before we got down there. We saw it was freshly cut but wasn’t a surprise to us as as I say, we heard it had just been opened that week

[@christophergould3673]

What happens when the metal rust starts will the houses fall in.

[@ExploringWithin]

It’s a good point! I’m sure the council keep an eye on it.

[@normanboyes4983]

@@ExploringWithinYeah like they keep an eye on potholes.😉

[@phoenixx5092]

pity you didnt have an endescope to poke up the holes in the hatch

[@alexblue6991]

I wonder if they are any in my area of Scotland

[@ExploringWithin]

@@alexblue6991 quite possibly

[@englishincontext4025]

Until recently not on the land registry. So up until that point, if you decided to buy a house in that row, and your solicitor checked the land registry prior to purchase he'd find nothing. You'd then buy the house not knowing you're sitting on fresh air. I suppose the address, Quatermass Avenue is a clue.

[@ExploringWithin]

Quite interesting 👍

[@barryhackett4227]

You should look up ww2 history hunter it's a man and his son it's really good

[@jim-bob-outdoors]

Local to me. Main entrance was from one of the house above. 😉

[@ExploringWithin]

Yep we realized that 👍 😎

[@davepfizer]

So much of our recent history is hidden and locked up. It is not that we really all want to wander around these places but we do want to know about our history. We have probably 400 years of stuff in and around our country that is hidden, scrapped, derelict, or private that is really ours. The only way to find it is to see what others have found here.

[@ExploringWithin]

Definitely 💯

[@BobHannent]

How many times does he have to harp on about his 360 camera?

[@ExploringWithin]

😆👍

[@UnderTheRadar1976]

Sealed up now

[@ExploringWithin]

They must of done that this weekend then as it was open Friday just gone

[@AltairIbnLaAhad420]

Do you know the road this bunker is at

[@ExploringWithin]

@@AltairIbnLaAhad420 I’d hope so as I’ve been there 🙃

[@damianbutterworth2434]

Oh my Lord. Matt does get about lol.

[@Kingshieldwall]

With captain paranoid and his hat eh 🤔😂

[@Axel-ly4vi]

New haven actually

[@andyg1957]

South Heighton. Not actually part of Newhaven, we even have our own Parish Council and pay less Council Tax! :) The location of the tunnels and HMS Forward has been public for many years. Plenty of info at the museum and on line. And yes, the builders knew the tunnels were there, they're in solid chalk so far beneath the houses that there is no problem.

[@EXPLOREWITHKIRST94]

Do u know where abouts this is and if it’s still open ?

[@ExploringWithin]

No idea where it is 🤔 I do know it’s sealed up with security now though

[@EXPLOREWITHKIRST94]

@@ExploringWithin o really that sucks do you have Instagram as if you cool with it hit we could send each other some locations ?

[@ukusapatriot327]

BN9 0QT under 34 heighton close entrance on video A26

[@2011thekaj]

You should have let ya gps ping and know where the hatch is!!

[@minemineraladdicts5742]

How would you get gps to work underground 🤔

[@TheSeafordian]

Nowhere near the Sussex border by the way.

[@ExploringWithin]

Correct

[@signal98]

❤

[@Cureltkm]

My house is 49

[@ExploringWithin]

Was it behind the blurring? Had you been down inside this bunker as well?

[@jackiecampbell3365]

"It's weilded shut" ..🤣🤣😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@ExploringWithin]

That came about as quite a catchy one! Haha!

[@jackiecampbell3365]

@@ExploringWithin am laughing as that's why a said it..too catchy 🤣 😂 😆 No be able shiftbfrom my brain now...What a place..I'm Gobsmacked 😲

[@ExploringWithin]

@@jackiecampbell3365 On par with big cook then 😉 Yeah absolutely mental place! Just the thought knowing you are stood right under people!

[@jackiecampbell3365]

@@ExploringWithin Nahhh big cook was in my head singing when at Aunts hahaha honestly to point driving me nuts 😆,that n fecking pingu...Nuts!! 😆😆😆.Well done boys on getting up the tunnell with zero stairs .Sooo steep ..😲😲

[@ExploringWithin]

@@jackiecampbell3365 😆😆 Yeah it was a proper workout in places! Enjoyed it though

[@danhurley6152]

Guys please get some gas/o2 monitors

[@ExploringWithin]

Yes definitely something we’ll look at 👍

[@richclean]

your destination is way off, I know exactly where this is…I’ll not be saying however 🤔

[@TaylorVanBeek]

Another awesome video! I just got done filming an abandoned school here in Florida! You'll have to check it out on my channel! Keep up with the awesome content!

[@ExploringWithin]

Thanks! 👍👍

[@РомашкаПолевая-й7ч]

Guys, you will be surprised, but Ukrainian army says that this bunker is underground city under azovstal. You can consider that you have been in Mariupol 😁

[@paulhyde1834]

It's DEFFINITELY in East Sussex. About half a mile from our house!

[@gordybishop2375]

Huh

[@travishurst8061]

Ya ok buddy stop with the lies

[@Seat1AJoe]

tic tic tic

[@DavidGriffiths-wt2hm]

Good video, but please, take it easy on this American word 'guys' ....