Portland Ghost Tunnels - Virtual Tour

Welcome back to another video exploring the best of Portland and the hidden gems on this island.

In this video we explore the fascinating Portland Ghost Tunnels, otherwise known as the High Angle Battery. This was a naval defence site where huge guns would fire shells at a high angle so they would hit the attacking ships on the deck where they were more vulnerable than their heavily armoured hulls. Built in the 1890's, it never actually saw any action as it was made obsolete with the advancement of ship building, as ships got faster, they could simply move out of the way when a high angle shot was fired, so the site ended up derelict for over a century, falling into a state of ruin, graffiti on every wall, broken glass everywhere and not an awful lot to see for visitors, in fact, in 2022 its outdated interpretation panels, graffiti, and heritage damage led to it being placed on the Heritage at Risk register.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Dorset Council, support from Portland Town Council, and the help of partners, heritage experts, and the local community, the site has received a much-needed revamp and is now more accessible than ever with new interpretation panels, improved pathways, and increased biodiversity. It is a must see for tourists and locals alike! And as you can see from the video, it is a great place to walk the dogs!

I hope you enjoy this video, and if it inspires you to go visit the Ghost Tunnels, leave a comment to tell me what you think of this amazing historical place of interest.. Happy exploring!