Fan Bay Deep Shelter

Fan Bay Deep Shelter is sunk into the chalk of the cliff tops above Fan Bay to the east of Dover, between Dover and South Foreland. It was the shelter for the Fan Bay Battery a few hundred feet away. On my first visit here in the 1970's the entrance steps were inside a brick built building. During the 1980's this was demolished and earth bulldozed into and over the entrance. I tried later to find it again but there was no trace left. Things are different now, the ground must have settled, and a small hole now allows access again. There are three flights of concrete stairs leading down, each of about 40 steps. The top flight is covered with soil that has spilled down into the entrance but the lower two are in perfect condition. The shelter itself is in good condition, and is quite large and spacious. There is one section which is unfinished and looks just as the tunnelers left it all those years ago. These photos were taken Feb.2001.

Plan of Fan Bay Deep Shelter courtesy of Paul Wells. Full size plan here.

Looking out over the English Channel. Entrance is between red torch and black rucksack.

Close up- entrance just in front of torch.

Looking back up towards entrance. Steps covered by earth fallen into entrance.

Second flight of stairs now clear. Note air filtration ducting on left.

View of entrance stairs from shelter level.

Note fuse box to left of stairs, and air ducting at top of picture.

Looking along main room of shelter. This section is over 30 yards long.

Air ducting and lighting conduit hanging from roof.

Another view of main room looking back towards stairs.

Note light fitting at top centre of picture.

One of the transverse rooms.

Note galvanized water tank in perfect condition.

Unfinished section just as the tunnelers left it.

Looking back into lined section from chalk tunnel.

Tunnel narrows and continues through chalk.

Probably led to secondary entrance, but now blocked by chalk falls.

Unlined section of tunnels, roof appears to be in stable condition.


	White Cliffs Underground
Fan Bay Deep Shelter Fan Bay Deep Shelter is sunk into the chalk of the cliff tops above Fan Bay to the east of Dover, between Dover and South Foreland. It was the shelter for the Fan Bay Battery a few hundred feet away. On my first visit here in the 1970's the entrance steps were inside a brick built building. During the 1980's this was demolished and earth bulldozed into and over the entrance. I tried later to find it again but there was no trace left. Things are different now, the ground must have settled, and a small hole now allows access again. There are three flights of concrete stairs leading down, each of about 40 steps. The top flight is covered with soil that has spilled down into the entrance but the lower two are in perfect condition. The shelter itself is in good condition, and is quite large and spacious. There is one section which is unfinished and looks just as the tunnelers left it all those years ago. These photos were taken Feb.2001. Plan of Fan Bay Deep Shelter courtesy of Paul Wells. Full size plan here. Looking out over the English Channel. Entrance is between red torch and black rucksack. Close up- entrance just in front of torch. Looking back up towards entrance. Steps covered by earth fallen into entrance. Second flight of stairs now clear. Note air filtration ducting on left. View of entrance stairs from shelter level. Note fuse box to left of stairs, and air ducting at top of picture. Looking along main room of shelter. This section is over 30 yards long. Air ducting and lighting conduit hanging from roof. Another view of main room looking back towards stairs. Note light fitting at top centre of picture. One of the transverse rooms. Note galvanized water tank in perfect condition. Unfinished section just as the tunnelers left it. Looking back into lined section from chalk tunnel. Tunnel narrows and continues through chalk. Probably led to secondary entrance, but now blocked by chalk falls. Unlined section of tunnels, roof appears to be in stable condition.

White Cliffs Underground

Fan Bay Deep Shelter