Features / things you probably didn't know
There is a secret underground public footpath in north Bristol
A tunnel forming a section of a public footpath is one of Bristol’s most unusual listed structures.
Okay, it’s not exactly a secret to everyone – the tunnel is in fact Grade II-listed – but because of its location it remains remarkably well hidden.
The underground passageway is not on Google Maps and is not signposted, even from the churchyard in which it begins.
is needed now More than ever
The tunnel is located underneath a garden of an old vicarage, known as Rectory Gardens, with a short section of it open to the elements.
It forms part of a footpath heading from one corner of the churchyard of St Mary’s in Henbury to Blaise Castle, crossing over a small stone bridge over Hazel Brook.
On the Know Your Place website, the subterranean thoroughfare is marked as a “post-medieval tunnel”.
But on its Historic England listing, it is dated from c. 1835 made with “rubble, brick arches, copper-slag block coping and Pennant steps. Tunnel with segmental-arched roof, reached by steps down from the churchyard. Built to carry a public footpath below the rear yard of The Old Vicarage.”
The tunnel is located close to one corner of St Mary’s churchyard in Henbury – photo: Martin Booth
A small section of the tunnel is open to the elements – photo: Martin Booth
It appears that the surface of the tunnel was once more substantial than it is today – photo: Martin Booth
The footpath which goes through the tunnel also goes over this bridge over Hazel Brook – photo: Martin Booth
One way to find the tunnel is by starting on this footpath off Henbury Road – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo and video by Martin Booth
Read more:
- Bristol’s three listed Victorian urinals
- Once you see these across Bristol, you will start seeing them everywhere
- Cobbling together a solution to a bumpy problem
Listen to the latest episode of the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
