Subterrenea Britannica
@subbrit.bsky.social
The UK society for studying man-made and man-used underground places. Discover mines, tunnels, nuclear bunkers, caves, military defences and more.
Pinned
As well as our society's activities, we focus our posts on news about man-made/used underground spaces in the UK and permitted exploration of them.
Our magazine, events, site visits and online forum have a wider scope, as benefits of membership.
Join to learn more at www.subbrit.org.uk/membership/
Our magazine, events, site visits and online forum have a wider scope, as benefits of membership.
Join to learn more at www.subbrit.org.uk/membership/
It is with great sadness that we bring the news that Andy Emmerson died peacefully in his sleep at 3.15 on Christmas morning after a long illness.
Here's Andy in 1965. Photo from Bicester Military Railway
Here's Andy in 1965. Photo from Bicester Military Railway
December 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM
It is with great sadness that we bring the news that Andy Emmerson died peacefully in his sleep at 3.15 on Christmas morning after a long illness.
Here's Andy in 1965. Photo from Bicester Military Railway
Here's Andy in 1965. Photo from Bicester Military Railway
This hotel was converted into the Southern Railway Traffic Control centre in WW2 with caves beneath converted/utilised in to telephone exchange www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Our site page
www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/deepde...
Our site page
www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/deepde...
The wartime railway hotel in Deepdene where no guest ever stayed
The hotel and the caves beneath it were repurposed into a secret bomb proof communications centre.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This hotel was converted into the Southern Railway Traffic Control centre in WW2 with caves beneath converted/utilised in to telephone exchange www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Our site page
www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/deepde...
Our site page
www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/deepde...
Auction rescheduled again for 18th February 2026
December 21, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Auction rescheduled again for 18th February 2026
Regional War Room situated within the grounds of Reading University. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Secret Berkshire - The Bunker Beneath Berkshire - BBC Sounds
Hidden beneath a university building, a Cold War secret. Lorin Bozkurt has more.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Regional War Room situated within the grounds of Reading University. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Gosport Borough Control was built during WWII and modified for Cold War use in 1954. The single storey partly burried blockhouse remained in use until 1968. It's now the office of the Diving Museum.
WW2 Borough Control Bunker
Borough Control Bunker
ARP / Air Raid Precautions / Bunker / Shelter
Come with us to be shown around a Borough Control Bunker that was once the central management for air raid precautions for…
youtu.be
December 1, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Gosport Borough Control was built during WWII and modified for Cold War use in 1954. The single storey partly burried blockhouse remained in use until 1968. It's now the office of the Diving Museum.
Reposted by Subterrenea Britannica
The hidden chemical attack that forced the Northern line’s extraordinary repair
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
The hidden chemical attack that forced the Northern line’s extraordinary repair
Thirty years ago, an entire section of the Northern line had to be replaced because it was under attack from acid, and hardly anyone noticed that it was happening.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:03 AM
The hidden chemical attack that forced the Northern line’s extraordinary repair
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
Reposted by Subterrenea Britannica
November 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Today, we gathered in Bracknell for a service of thanksgiving for the life of Martin Dixon.
A packed crematorium heard that our much-loved former chairperson and outstanding volunteer was always full of laughter and enjoyment, whether working at BA, travelling, flying or exploring subterranea.
A packed crematorium heard that our much-loved former chairperson and outstanding volunteer was always full of laughter and enjoyment, whether working at BA, travelling, flying or exploring subterranea.
November 25, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Today, we gathered in Bracknell for a service of thanksgiving for the life of Martin Dixon.
A packed crematorium heard that our much-loved former chairperson and outstanding volunteer was always full of laughter and enjoyment, whether working at BA, travelling, flying or exploring subterranea.
A packed crematorium heard that our much-loved former chairperson and outstanding volunteer was always full of laughter and enjoyment, whether working at BA, travelling, flying or exploring subterranea.
If you've ever thought "darn it, I wish I had a fort"...
www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/...
www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/...
Fancy a fort of your own? Rare military monument listed on market for £50k
A historic military fort constructed around 150 years ago to protest access to a nearby naval dockyard is going under the hammer.
www.kentonline.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:11 AM
If you've ever thought "darn it, I wish I had a fort"...
www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/...
www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/...
Auction rescheduled
www.davidplaister.co.uk/properties/s...
www.davidplaister.co.uk/properties/s...
Hallen, Bristol | David Plaister Ltd
For sale by Public Auction on Tuesday 9th December 2025 at Leigh Court, Pill Road, Abbots Leigh, BS8 3RA and online at 7.00pm. A rare opportunity to acquire a secure underground Royal Observer Corps…
www.davidplaister.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Auction rescheduled
www.davidplaister.co.uk/properties/s...
www.davidplaister.co.uk/properties/s...
VIDEO about Mail Rail.
Includes a visit to the train graveyard area not included on the standard visit at 10 minutes in
Includes a visit to the train graveyard area not included on the standard visit at 10 minutes in
Let's Ride ... Mail Rail the Post Office Underground Railway
Let's go for a ride on Mail Rail! The Postal Museum near Clerkenwell / Farringdon is where you can go for a ride on this underground railway - and take an after hours tunnel walk as well.
Mail Rail…
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 4:04 PM
VIDEO about Mail Rail.
Includes a visit to the train graveyard area not included on the standard visit at 10 minutes in
Includes a visit to the train graveyard area not included on the standard visit at 10 minutes in
Reposted by Subterrenea Britannica
Women who worked at top secret communications base Q Central, near Leighton Buzzard, Hertfordshire which was said to help shorten WW2 to be honoured. The group operated in underground tunnels employed 5,000 men & women who operated more than 1,100 teleprinters. 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Top-secret Bedfordshire WW2 communications base women honoured
A plaque is unveiled to Q Central in Leighton Buzzard, which played a key role in World War Two.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Women who worked at top secret communications base Q Central, near Leighton Buzzard, Hertfordshire which was said to help shorten WW2 to be honoured. The group operated in underground tunnels employed 5,000 men & women who operated more than 1,100 teleprinters. 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Report with pictures of repair works to a Manchester Metrolink tunnel in October
www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/hid... by @thertmnews
www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/hid... by @thertmnews
Hidden Danger Beneath Manchester: How Engineers Saved a Metrolink Tunnel | Rail Technology Magazine
Essential work to repair a key Manchester Metrolink tunnel, securing its long-term operation and safety has been completed.
www.railtechnologymagazine.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Report with pictures of repair works to a Manchester Metrolink tunnel in October
www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/hid... by @thertmnews
www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/hid... by @thertmnews
Mushroom growing at Barnton Quarry bunker in Edinburgh features from 11.36 in this BBC programme
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Our site page: www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/barnto...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Our site page: www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/barnto...
Landward - 2025: Episode 21
In this autumn special, Dougie is on Ben Alder Estate to track stags for the annual deer rut. Meanwhile, Rosie is in an Aberdeenshire orchard picking apples to make champagne-style cider.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Mushroom growing at Barnton Quarry bunker in Edinburgh features from 11.36 in this BBC programme
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Our site page: www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/barnto...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Our site page: www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/barnto...
Reposted by Subterrenea Britannica
Tickets Alert: Visit the West India Docks Impounding Station next to Canary Wharf
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tic...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tic...
Tickets Alert: Visit the West India Docks Impounding Station
If you live near Canary Wharf, you might regularly pass a rather modest brick building, but hidden within is an industrial delight.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Tickets Alert: Visit the West India Docks Impounding Station next to Canary Wharf
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tic...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tic...
The next World Congress on Artificial Cavity Speleology, "#Hypogea" will be held in Tbilisi, Georgia in September 2026.
Details at hypogea2026.com
There's a call for papers and to save to the dates.
Details at hypogea2026.com
There's a call for papers and to save to the dates.
hypogea2026.com – Georgia
+995 557 14 55 14
hypogea2026.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The next World Congress on Artificial Cavity Speleology, "#Hypogea" will be held in Tbilisi, Georgia in September 2026.
Details at hypogea2026.com
There's a call for papers and to save to the dates.
Details at hypogea2026.com
There's a call for papers and to save to the dates.
Reposted by Subterrenea Britannica
I was really excited to join a special tour of Clapham South Deep Level Shelter this afternoon with IWM's patrons. A fascinating history beyond the Second World War, with an afterlife including being a hostel and labour exchange for those on the Windrush, and a hotel for the Festival of Britain
October 29, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I was really excited to join a special tour of Clapham South Deep Level Shelter this afternoon with IWM's patrons. A fascinating history beyond the Second World War, with an afterlife including being a hostel and labour exchange for those on the Windrush, and a hotel for the Festival of Britain
With much sadness, we announce the death of Martin Dixon on 15/10/2025, having had cancer for over 5 years. He was a long-time member, former chairman.
He & Linda enjoyed many happy times together, including organising numerous Sub Brit trips.
We'd love to hear your anecdotes & memories of Martin.
He & Linda enjoyed many happy times together, including organising numerous Sub Brit trips.
We'd love to hear your anecdotes & memories of Martin.
October 16, 2025 at 10:44 PM
With much sadness, we announce the death of Martin Dixon on 15/10/2025, having had cancer for over 5 years. He was a long-time member, former chairman.
He & Linda enjoyed many happy times together, including organising numerous Sub Brit trips.
We'd love to hear your anecdotes & memories of Martin.
He & Linda enjoyed many happy times together, including organising numerous Sub Brit trips.
We'd love to hear your anecdotes & memories of Martin.
Planning applications to Dover Council include proposals for removing defective concrete, reconstructing cappings, repairing the rampart and a new bridge to improve access - at #FortBurgoyne
September 30, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Planning applications to Dover Council include proposals for removing defective concrete, reconstructing cappings, repairing the rampart and a new bridge to improve access - at #FortBurgoyne
On our website, there are few follies and artistic underground sites
A challenge to you:
* Write 1-3 paragraphs about a site that we can include (longer if you wish). Ideally add some photographs too
* Submit text/photos to [email protected]
www.subbrit.org.uk/categories/f...
A challenge to you:
* Write 1-3 paragraphs about a site that we can include (longer if you wish). Ideally add some photographs too
* Submit text/photos to [email protected]
www.subbrit.org.uk/categories/f...
Follies and Artistic – Subterranea Britannica
Subterranea Britannica is a society devoted to the study and investigation of man-made (including Nuclear Bunkers) and man-used underground places.
www.subbrit.org.uk
September 28, 2025 at 3:40 PM
On our website, there are few follies and artistic underground sites
A challenge to you:
* Write 1-3 paragraphs about a site that we can include (longer if you wish). Ideally add some photographs too
* Submit text/photos to [email protected]
www.subbrit.org.uk/categories/f...
A challenge to you:
* Write 1-3 paragraphs about a site that we can include (longer if you wish). Ideally add some photographs too
* Submit text/photos to [email protected]
www.subbrit.org.uk/categories/f...
There are original features like door hinges and valves, while also new tube skylights through the 2m thick concrete ceiling for natural light.
Since completion it been on sale for about a year.
Since completion it been on sale for about a year.
September 28, 2025 at 1:37 PM
There are original features like door hinges and valves, while also new tube skylights through the 2m thick concrete ceiling for natural light.
Since completion it been on sale for about a year.
Since completion it been on sale for about a year.