Horspath Tunnel - 520yds.
The railway from Princes Risborough to Oxford was authorized in 1861 and construction of the broad gauge line was started by the Wycombe Railway immediately. In 1867 the Wycombe Railway was absorbed into the Great Western Railway and three years later work started on converting the whole line to standard gauge, necessitating the closure of the whole line for just over a week.
Horspath Tunnel which carried the railway line through Shotover Hill (520 yards) is single track with a double curve in it, the centre being out of sight of both entrances, the abandoned tunnel subsequently proved a popular venue for illegal raves in the 1980s / 1990s, as well as a popular roost for bats in 2002/ 2003 the tunnel was taken over by Oxfordshire County Council and formally turned into a bat hibernaculum, or winter hibernating refuge. Five species of bats, Daubenton’s, Brown Long-Eared, Natterer’s, Brandt’s, and Whiskered, are said to use the tunnel. What I found interesting about this particular tunnel there’s lots of rumors surrounding it’s poor condition inside which many believe brought about the lines closure and also prevents access to monitor the bats of which live inside the tunnel which brought an abrupt end to the project started back in 2002, upon initial inspection the tunnel is in great condition no obvious signs of decay, spalling or potential collapses also worth mentioning not a single bat was to be seen inside.. a large collection of bat boxes decorate the inside walls and refuges all minus any form of habitants, theres a nice array of colours from calcite deposits, the roof mostly covered in soot from times gone by. Both portals have access hatches built into a otherwise well fortified barricade of breeze blocks and steel bars. The tunnel is mostly of brick construction although some sections of stone masonry are evident there’s also a couple sections of lining which are at different depths / gauges which can be seen in the images. The eastern portal is hidden in dense woodland just off a trail a short walk from the nearest road in contrast the western portal resides in a wildlife conservation area looked after by keen locals I would guess this to be the end that is chosen for any access arrangements to the tunnel. A very easy, enjoyable explore was a huge relief to actually gain access through a gap in the steel bars having driven some considerable miles I did tie this one which two other tunnels as I do with most my adventures.
Above: The Eastern Portal.
Below: The Western Portal.
Thanks for looking.
Explored September 2022.
