EXPLORE The Secret underground tunnels. HMP Verne PORTLAND DORSET

This weekend we visited the Island of Portland, Dorset UK. The Verne citadel, there are all sorts of structures there. We believe we explored an old underground hospital situated next to the prison. It was built Mid 19th century by prisoners. There is quite alot to see on Portland if you know where to look. Please SUBSCRIBE. We do this stuff for fun but it gives me an ego boost when I see the number go up!

[@WattsOccurring]

What a mad place! 😮

[@mattquantrill101]

I spent 13 years wondering what was through that archway, I looked at it every morning out of my bedroom window 😂 thanks for solving the mystery for me! I went on a caving expedition over looking the cliff at primary school. Not far in from the cliff face, the instructors made us look up as there was apparently a pair if boot hanging down. I couldnt see because of the dust but the story we were told was a prisoner was caught tunnelling out but they couldnt get him so they just filled the hole with him in it and his boots remained visible. Not sure if this is true or not, and I couldnt find anything online but you may have some more gen on that. Tip work boys!

[@gittinsoutdooradventures5267]

Oh dear where you a naughty boy? lol only windows over looking that entrance where cells hahaha Thanks, glad we had the opportunity to show you what was in there.

[@mattquantrill101]

@@gittinsoutdooradventures5267 haha, I think it was on the other side of the island we were caving! Going back almost 30 years though 😳🙄

[@Bendall34]

That was Flagpole cave under the YOI, the story was just a story, my dad was one of the instructors that took groups down there many years ago.

[@mattquantrill101]

@@Bendall34 thank you so much mate! For the last 25 years I've been scratching my head over that 🤣

[@VooDoo-on4df]

You went through a RED LIGHT WTF !!!!!!

[@gittinsoutdooradventures5267]

Yea we live life on the edge!

[@paulross8418]

Worked (maintenance) at HMP Lewes in East Sussex Cat 'B' Prison, built in 1853 by Finnish Grenadiers, POW's from the Crimean War. Use to have a Womens wing. 'F' Wing now Sex Offenders Wing. No windows on the side facing the men's Wing. A Tunnel exists, now blocked up where women were taken into the Prison so men could not see them. Prison is built in Flint. They must have had a jolly building it as Rum Bottles are buried in the walls. The most interesting place I've worked.

[@elvis9990]

The better ones are in the dockyard that head inland in the direction of The Verne. One entrance is not too far from the coaling pier.

[@gittinsoutdooradventures5267]

yes we've been in these tunnels. unfortunately you can't get in them any more. They are used as storage for bunker fuel.

[@franfox6731]

It’s the main magazine for the citadel

[@gittinsoutdooradventures5267]

Hi Fran, where did you get this information from? Only asking as there is literally 1 door in. Where whould the ammo be able to get in because that door is the size of a standard size front house door.

[@franfox6731]

I run a Facebook group and we have hundreds of hours research of the Verne. We’ve been in a lot of it on permissive visits

[@franfox6731]

7:59 is an ammo store

[@franfox6731]

9:41 is the other entrance. Now backfilled

[@franfox6731]

12:55 ammo store

[@Leenufc]

That's a fortress literally that thin passage with the arrow slot windows and holes above to drop rocks on attackers . This place is alot older than what yous think it is

[@gittinsoutdooradventures5267]

Yes the whole place is actually a citadel. They started building it in 1858 we think it could be the hospital or the barracks part of the citadel.

[@ZonkedCompanion]

Seen convincing lidar evidence to suggest it was once a star fort. Certainly a lot more went on there than im sure we will ever know about.

[@franfox6731]

That isn’t a fortress. It’s the main magazine for the citadel

[@Leenufc]

@gittinsoutdooradventures5267 did they use arrows and drop rocks in the 1800 lol no they didn't, it far older that what it make out to be

[@Leenufc]

@@ZonkedCompanion true

[@xaliya08x57]

is the entry way still unlocked?

[@gittinsoutdooradventures5267]

I really don't know I could find out, it was still open about a month ago.

[@xaliya08x57]

i’m planning on going tomorrow, hopefully it should still be all good to get into!

[@gittinsoutdooradventures5267]

@@xaliya08x57 Nice 1 hopefully it's still open I don't see why it wouldn't be. So are you local to portland?

[@xaliya08x57]

yeah just in wyke, trying too find different places to get into, if you know any entrances let me know asap please!

[@gittinsoutdooradventures5267]

Did you get in was it still unlocked?