Fort Widley

This huge Fort was built in 1861 to defend Portsmouth from sea and land and is part of the ‘Palmerston Follies’. A central spiral staircase descends from the parade ground to give you access to the four main underground tunnels, which run deep within Portsdown Hill, these radiate out from the base of the staircase. The tunnels lead to the barrack block and caponiers. The main magazine is located half way along the tunnel to the barrack block on the west side. There is a semi circular tunnel by passing the main magazine. On the 19 February 1952 the civil defence committee of Portsmouth Borough Council proposed the construction of a new main and group control for the borough, to be used in the event of a nuclear attack; it was decided this would be at Fort Widley. It is in these underground tunnels and chambers that we find most of the paranormal activity is reported, Whispering voices and other audible phenomena, plus many types of physical activity have all been reported here.