The Sand House Tunnels: What once lay beneath St James' Street, Doncaster

[@chrisbilsland4138]

Can the tunnels not be reopened?

[@doncastersandhouse]

Sorry I didn't pick up your comment when you submitted it. Almost all the known tunnels - and certainly the Cloisters tunnel that contained all the carvings - were grouted up with a fly ash and cement grout, in 1984. The only exception is an 80-metre length of plain, roughly dug tunnel under part of the cemetery. The chances of the grout ever being removed are negligible, I'm afraid.

[@chrisbilsland4138]

But it's possible to do if the council actually wanted to do it?

[@doncastersandhouse]

@@chrisbilsland4138 On the basis that anything is theoretically possible, I guess so. However, even I, a descendant of the Sand House's creator who has been researching the subject for nearly 40 years, don't think it would be justifiable 🙂!

[@chrisbilsland4138]

@@doncastersandhouse and why is that?

[@doncastersandhouse]

@@chrisbilsland4138 Nearly all the carvings had been badly damaged or completely obliterated before the Cloisters tunnel was filled in, so what remained had lost most of its interesting features by the time I visited, in 1984. If money were absolutely no object, then Yes, I would love to be able to visit again, because of my own particular connections with the place. However, I can't imagine there being a business case for opening up the Cloisters tunnel, based on what would remain to be seen by visitors. It's also in a residential area that would not seem to be well suited to having a visitor centre within it. I believe I am merely being realistic.