St. Margaret's Bay Tunnels

The WW2 defensive tunnel system in the headland at the south western end of St. Margaret's Bay consists of an entrance, now bricked up, leading into a tunnel cut through the chalk. This tunnel leads after about 80 yards to twin tunnels leading out towards the sea. About half way along the twin tunnels another tunnel goes out to a concrete machine gun position built into the cliff overlooking the beach. This is now the means of access to the tunnels. This entrance is about 25ft above the beach level. The twin tunnels go on out towards the sea until a flight of rough stairs cut into the chalk lead up to a balcony overlooking the Channel. There is a single brick pillar in the centre. This was originally a small room, the outside wall of which has fallen away. For a plan of the tunnel system as surveyed and drawn by, and courtesy of Andrew Temple & Graham Schofield click here. Photos taken in March 2001.

South western headland of St. Margaret's Bay.

Original entrance to tunnels is at end of promenade.

Machine gun position overlooking the bay.

This is the current means of access to the tunnels.

View from machine gun position looking into tunnel.

View looking back towards machine gun position.

View down length of tunnel from twin tunnel section.

One of the twin tunnels running out to the headland.

Brick lined section of tunnel.

Note galvanized corrugated iron roof.

Turning to the right the tunnel is unlined as it runs towards the original entrance.

Looking down chalk tunnel at inside of bricked up entrance.

Back in the twin tunnel section...

...turning to the left is a flight of stairs...

...cut into the chalk. These lead up to the 'balcony'.

Note brick pillar to support roof.

Looking back down the stairs from half way up.

On the 'balcony'. Originally a room, the outer wall has fallen away.

View of North eastern end of St. Margaret's Bay taken by hanging off 'balcony'.

On top of cliffs is the Dover Patrol memorial and one of the white houses below it

belonged to Ian Fleming author of the James Bond books.


	White Cliffs Underground
St. Margaret's Bay Tunnels The WW2 defensive tunnel system in the headland at the south western end of St. Margaret's Bay consists of an entrance, now bricked up, leading into a tunnel cut through the chalk. This tunnel leads after about 80 yards to twin tunnels leading out towards the sea. About half way along the twin tunnels another tunnel goes out to a concrete machine gun position built into the cliff overlooking the beach. This is now the means of access to the tunnels. This entrance is about 25ft above the beach level. The twin tunnels go on out towards the sea until a flight of rough stairs cut into the chalk lead up to a balcony overlooking the Channel. There is a single brick pillar in the centre. This was originally a small room, the outside wall of which has fallen away. For a plan of the tunnel system as surveyed and drawn by, and courtesy of Andrew Temple & Graham Schofield click here. Photos taken in March 2001. South western headland of St. Margaret's Bay. Original entrance to tunnels is at end of promenade. Machine gun position overlooking the bay. This is the current means of access to the tunnels. View from machine gun position looking into tunnel. View looking back towards machine gun position. View down length of tunnel from twin tunnel section. One of the twin tunnels running out to the headland. Brick lined section of tunnel. Note galvanized corrugated iron roof. Turning to the right the tunnel is unlined as it runs towards the original entrance. Looking down chalk tunnel at inside of bricked up entrance. Back in the twin tunnel section... ...turning to the left is a flight of stairs... ...cut into the chalk. These lead up to the 'balcony'. Note brick pillar to support roof. Looking back down the stairs from half way up. On the 'balcony'. Originally a room, the outer wall has fallen away. View of North eastern end of St. Margaret's Bay taken by hanging off 'balcony'. On top of cliffs is the Dover Patrol memorial and one of the white houses below it belonged to Ian Fleming author of the James Bond books.

White Cliffs Underground

St. Margaret's Bay Tunnels