On May 20th, with kind permission from the land owner Paul Roberts and escorted by Shirley Thomson of the Kent Bat Group we took a group of people inside the disused tunnel that runs underneath what is now the University of Kent at Canterbury. Work started on the tunnel in 1825. It is the oldest purpose built passenger railway tunnel in the world and is now grade 2 star listed. Its current owner has invested a lot of time and money in restoring some of the brickwork, clearing the site (along with trust volunteers), and protecting it from vandalism. It is now the perfect home for bats so we are only allowed to visit at certain times of the year escorted by someone with a bat license. To find out more about bats please go to the Kent Bat Group website http://www.kentbatgroup.org.uk/.
John introducing the tunnel visit.
Trustee Jonathan Baker giving a talk about the history of the tunnel.
Shirley Thomson from East Kent Bat Group talking about the bats that now call the tunnel home.
Looking out from the Tyler Hill Tunnel South Portal towards Canterbury.
Visitors about to enter the Crab and Winkle Line Tyler Hill Tunnel South Portal.
Inside the Tyler Hill Tunnel on the Crab and Winkle Line.