In short
- Access requires a guided tour with separate admission.
- Visitors must descend and climb 125 steep stairs.
- The underground guided tour takes 45 minutes.
In this article
Fan Bay Deep Shelter sits beneath the chalk surface of the White Cliffs. The British military carved these tunnels during the Second World War to house troops for the gun battery above. Today, the National Trust operates guided tours through the complex.
What is the Fan Bay Deep Shelter tour?
It is a 45-minute guided underground walk through WWII-era military tunnels.
Guides provide hard hats and torches for the tour. You will walk through the chalk corridors where soldiers lived and worked. The tunnels remain unlit and in their raw state.
How many steps are in the Fan Bay Deep Shelter?
You must navigate 125 steep stairs to enter and exit the shelter.
There is no elevator access. The descent takes you deep into the chalk cliff. You need decent physical fitness to climb back up these 125 steps at the end of the tour.
Do I need to book tickets for the tunnels?
Yes, you pay a separate admission charge for the guided tour.
Access to the cliff paths is free, but the tunnels require a ticket. National Trust members get free entry to the shelter. You must buy tickets on arrival, as space on each tour is limited.
What is the history of the Fan Bay Deep Shelter?
The military built the shelter during the Second World War to accommodate the gun battery crew above.
Soldiers stationed here protected the English Channel from enemy ships. Near the shelter entrance, you can also see the Fan Bay Sound Mirrors. The military carved these acoustic warning devices directly into the cliff face between 1916 and 1923.
How do I reach the shelter from the Visitor Centre?
You must walk along the coastal path to reach the tunnel entrance.
The shelter sits along a two-mile historic walking route. Wear sturdy walking boots with good grip. The chalk paths are uneven and the coastal weather changes quickly.
Are dogs allowed in the tunnels?
Dogs cannot go down into the Fan Bay Deep Shelter.
You must keep dogs on a short lead when walking the cliff paths above. If you visit with a dog, someone will need to stay above ground during the 45-minute tour.
Questions travellers ask
Can you see France from the Fan Bay Deep Shelter?
You cannot see France from inside the tunnels. However, on a clear day, you can see the French coast from the cliff paths near the entrance, approximately 20 miles (32 km) away.
How long does the tunnel tour take?
The guided tour takes 45 minutes. You should also budget time for the walk from the National Trust Visitor Centre to the shelter entrance.
What should I wear for the tunnel tour?
Wear sturdy walking boots for the uneven chalk paths and steep stairs. Bring warm layered clothing, as temperatures drop quickly underground and in the sea breeze.
