Report - Report Drakelow Tunnels (permission Visit) August 2020

[Purplegoat]

The History: The Drakelow Tunnels are a former underground military complex beneath the Blakeshall Estate north of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, covering 280,000 sq ft (26,000 m2), with a total length of around 3.5 miles (5.6 km). They were originally built as a Second World War shadow factory, and were developed during the Cold War to be a fall-back government centre. Since 1993, the Drakelow Tunnels Preservation Trust, have been restoring the entire complex to its original condition to become the largest Cold War Museum in the UK.

The Explore: I visited as part of a photography day with a limited number of people let in and given free reign of the site to bumble around as you please with knowledgeable volunteers available to answer questions. The place is huge and there was plenty to see down there. Its well worth a visit on a open day or photography day.




A map of the place.

The coms area

One of the canteens.

The medical area.

On old electrical room.

Some old wartime graffiti.

Some left overs from a zombie scare event.

The other canteen area.

A guard post.

The main doors.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Purplegoat]

Some 35mm photos I also took on the day. Taken on a Olympus om10 with Fuji Superia X-Tra 400.

 

[wormster]

Nice, at least there were no dope growers in residence like last time I went!

 

[Calamity Jane]

Nice touch the film photos

 

[wormster]

Shame the airsofyers didn't sweep up. Some places it was like dancing on ice

 

[Airfix]

Also some added graffiti which is a shame.

 

[Purplegoat]

Shame the airsofyers didn't sweep up. Some places it was like dancing on ice

Yeah those things are bastards I got some funky bruises on my knees from trying to get some low angle shots.

 

[Hidinginplanesite]

i keep meaning to book their a tour for this place but have kept putting it off! i do know you're allowed to take photos but not film ?

love the photos off this place

 

[wormster]

Where did you hear that then?? last time I went there were plenty of gopro type cameras strapped to helmets!!

 

[Hidinginplanesite]

Where did you hear that then?? last time I went there were plenty of gopro type cameras strapped to helmets!!

i saw on their Facebook page recently they don't entertain people filming it ? so i just took that as not allowed ?

 

[wormster]

Stick a mini key ring video camera under your light on your hard hat and you are good to go

 

[Hidinginplanesite]

Stick a mini key ring video camera under your light on your hard hat and you are good to go

if i ever make it on a tour ill just stck to picture i dont film everywhere i go . some places are better in photos .

 

[wormster]

who says you have to take either a camera or gopro?

Having said that I do get a little bit annoyed with "Photogaye" trips always stopping and starting.........faffage, sometimes its best to leave them behind and travel light. But its your bag to hump around, not mine!!!!

 

[Deleted member 133898]

Always wanted to go round this place, looks awesome. Think their website allows for a smaller group of 15 to go in, which would be doable if ya wanna get some decent shots

 

[Lord Oort]

£25 a head for the short guided tour with no tripod photography allowed.
£50 a head for free reign and as many photos as you can take.

£25 tour is a waste of time and £50 tour is a waste of money. If they charged a reasonable price it would be great and I'd probably go a couple of times a year but as it stands not a chance.