WT Henley // AEI Cable Works Air Raid Shelter - Northfleet gravened

It seems we are among the few explorers to visit this location, as not much information is available online about these tunnels. Getting inside was quite interesting; we had to go through a narrow passage where the walls brushed against my arms and legs, which made it easier to crab crawl through. 

 

Once inside, I was shocked by how clean and untouched the site was, with so many items scattered around and seemingly left behind. It was nice to see a change of scenery. Once we were in the tunnels, we started to wander around without knowing where each passage led. We took in the atmosphere and enjoyed being the only ones down there. I believe we spent around four hours exploring these tunnels.

 

According to what I found, these tunnels were built in the chalk pit in 1931 and were designed to hold around 2,000 workers from the factory. There were six different entrances along the chalk pit to make accessing the tunnels easier during air raids. Unfortunately, the factory closed in 2008, and the tunnels were left abandoned.

Rosherville Gardens & Minewatcher observation post - Northfleet / Gravesend

Right here on this blog you see two different explores the first on is being  a minewatcher post and the second one bing rosherville gardens remains , when exploring them i thought they was part of the same thing but when editing the photos and putting this blog togearther i noticed they are two different 

Minewatcher observation post 

 Minewatcher Post and Rosherville Gardens. At first, I thought they were related, but as I edited my photos and compiled this post, it became clear that they are two separate sites, each with its own history.

Recently, I discovered a fascinating structure known as the Minewatcher Post. Initially uncertain of its purpose, I ventured down for a closer look. To my surprise, the post was covered in graffiti, giving it a captivating yet neglected appearance. Despite my efforts to research it online, I found very little information, which only fueled my curiosity.

This observation post dates back to the World War II era, likely between 1940 and 1945, and was probably decommissioned around that time. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of documentation about these posts, adding to their air of mystery. While I’m not entirely sure if exploring this area was permitted, I felt it was a worthwhile adventure for anyone interested in its history.

 Rosherville Gardens

Next, I visited the entrance to what was once Rosherville Gardens. A staircase here leads down to the old AIE tunnels, which lie just below the surface. Established in the 1800s, Rosherville Gardens was a popular destination for visitors from London. Although I didn’t see the bear pit that used to be located nearby, I learned that it was a notable feature of the gardens.

Once a thriving locale, Rosherville Gardens sadly closed during World War I. The staircase leading down to the chalk pit was utilized by workers accessing the factory below. It's worth noting that both the staircase and bear pit are Grade II listed, recognizing their historical significance.