A short man made tunnel used to access a Victorian well which once supplied the dockyard. There is a 30m shaft directly above to a disused pumping station. Just below the top of this shaft a small window which forms the connection to Nookey Hole. A small stream flows in wet weather along the main tunnel. This is the closest thing to an underground streamway on Portland.
Tunnel length: 23 m.
Entrance: SY 69152 70198 (50.53074, -2.43658)
Park at the small parking area for 4 or 5 cars at the head of the coast path leading from Cheyne to Portland Bill. Alternatively park in the main view point car park and walk down the road to the start of the coast path. Follow the coast path for 100m until the main cliff immediately drops away to the left and a short wall popular with bouldering is on the right. Take the steep path which doubles back along the underside of the main cliff to reach the boulder beach below. Hop along this northward toward the impressive main cliff below Cheyne house. The entrance is hidden in an area of collapsed blocks at the base of this cliff.
As an aside, following a period of rain it's interesting to see the quantity of water which emerges from the base of this cliff at various points. There is no known pheatic passage in this part of the island.
A short clamber amongst fallen boulders is required to gain the entrance. The tunnel can be followed for a few metres in stooping height passage to arrive at a taller section and the base of a 30 m shaft to the surface and Nookey Hole above. The top of the shaft is in private grounds.
Trip time - 5 mins
Torch.