Secret Wartime Tunnels
- 17 October 2010 14:2075290On Thursday evening we were invited to Dover Castle to look at the work that English Heritage have started for Phase 2 of the investment strategy to enhance and revitalise the visitor experience in the Secret Wartime Tunnels. After nibbles and vino, where I met the speakers for the evening we went straight into the presentation for Phase 2 'Dover at War' which covers the early build-up to the war through to the evacuation from late May to early June 1940 and the aftermath. Paul Pattison (Chief Historian for English Heritage) said: Why Operation Dynamo? Answer: It was one of the pivotal events of WWII and also the most important thing to happen at Dover Castle.
Looking at the eight month campaign with work starting November 1st and finishing 5th June 2011 costing £2.23 million, this is going to be an experience which will bring the visitor back to the wartime years. The offices of the Admiralty lookout, plotting rooms etc, will be brought back to life with smells, newsreel footage and introducing CGI with a Pathe-style feel will give visitors the feeling that they have lived through the rescue of the BEF from start to finish. Not only will it be great to see the transformation of the Secret Tunnels but hopefully it will bring in much more needed revenue as with the Great Tower which has seen an increase of 20%. I wish English Heritage all the best in the transformation.
- 17 October 2010 18:4175322interesting stuff barry, i can understand why you got the special invite you are a direct descendant of sir bertarand ramsey who masterminded the evacuation after all.
the resemblance is uncanny, uncle bertie entered the world at hampton court.
i bet that made his eyes water!! - 17 October 2010 19:3175330Looking forwards to seeing it after the revamp
Been nice knowing you :) - 18 October 2010 15:2475480Ive never seen these tunnels full stop, but I have enjoyed the magnificent Keep. Was up there with our likeable leaders Gwyn Prosser and Pauli Watkins at the great day of the Keep opening after the big spend. Margaret Hodge former minister came to review where the goverment money had gone and left impressed.
Hope the Castle keep these invites coming and we will do what we can to respond.
email: dover7@msn.com - 18 October 2010 19:4575515you've been missing out paul they are great now must be even better after the new works.
always a queue for the tours, sometimes they have actors down there doing recreations of the time. - 19 October 2010 10:4075558Howard
You are correct. The guided tours of the tunnels are often booked up early in the day for the entire day thus visitors who arrive later are often unable to do a Tunnel Tour.
We were told that part of the new scheme will in effect be "self-Guided" also that different areas will be open (possibly three) giving a choice at busy times.
As Barry WS reported the enhancements with visual and sound seem quite exciting.
Whilst the work is taking place the Castle will provide other special tours to some areas of the castle not normally visited e.g The Spur that The Friends of Dover Castle had a tour of earlier this year to see how feasable for general public access etc (H&S). - 19 October 2010 10:4875560The Secret Wartime Tunnels are really interesting, especially the plotting rooms, Phase 2 work which starts November 1st running for eight months will really be something special. The tunnel where Admiral Ramsey planned the evacuation from and adjoining rooms have been made ready for work to start. It will be something special for all to enjoy, we were told that the planned staggered tour will take approximately 38 minutes, so no time for the little ones to get restless
It was good to see you there Pat, an enjoyable evening. - 19 October 2010 11:3475565This is such a good place to visit, very atmospheric and evocative of the period, I was displaying there during the 'Dynamo' weekend and it was very well attended and staffed.
If 2mill plus is to be spent on it, well! it will be stupendous...Just got back from the Operations Room at RAF Uxbridge, left exactly as it was 60ft underground with the plant still running and all the tote board lit up..
Go EH...you have some catching up to do...Oh Boy!, That'll be the day......... - 19 October 2010 13:3075585Oooh looks very interesting. I love tunnels and stuff
- Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
19 October 2010 16:3475621been down many intresting tunnels abroad but none around dover. - 19 October 2010 17:1975626we live on top of a labrynth of tunnels brian, the ones at the castle attract people from far and wide.
if you speak to any dovorian that was a child during the war years they will detail all the tunnels that exist today. - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
19 October 2010 17:4675633howard,thanks for the info.
