Engineers discover tunnels and rooms below Salisbury Train Station

Network Rail and South Western Railway engineers have discovered tunnels and rooms from a bygone era underneath Salisbury station.

The discovery of this secret world beneath the station came about as part of the ongoing £5.3m station forecourt upgrades, which will significantly transform the front of the station.

When doing drainage checks, an old phone box to the right immediately outside the station entrance was moved, revealing sleepers that, once lifted, uncovered a dark and hidden tunnel leading underneath the station.

Naturally intrigued, engineers ventured underground and found a labyrinth of tunnels and rooms. They are now hoping to uncover its origins and purpose as part of a larger effort to delve into the historical infrastructure beneath the railway station.

The tunnel leads beneath platform 4, opening into a curious area with a side room on the right. The primary chamber beneath the platform features a striking architectural detail, with sections of rail repurposed as structural supports for the ceiling, reflecting the ingenuity of railway engineers from a bygone era.

Remnants of old signal equipment have also been uncovered, crafted from timber and showing the passage of time. These artefacts provide a glimpse into the station’s operational past.

Platform 1 contains a building no longer in passenger use and features a map from the pre-Beeching era. A room leading to a ladder that goes under the station has also been discovered, with this room yet to be explored, leading to more questions about the station’s history.

The railway celebrates its 200th birthday this year, and throughout these two centuries, it has been a spearhead for technological advancements. Salisbury station is used today by two million people each year, but this discovery provides a small glimpse into part of the station that has been left unused and forgotten about for decades.

Steve Kelly, Network Rail asset engineer, said: “This was one of the most interesting discoveries during my career on the railway. It just goes to show that no two days are the same in this industry. The tunnel's origins and purpose have become a topic of fascination, linking modern development with historical exploration. The tunnel offered a rare look into the hidden layers of the railway’s history, preserving a snapshot of the site's legacy.”

Daniel Holmes, Salisbury flagship station manager for South Western Railway, said: “This is a beautiful building with a lot of heritage and history. For me, it’s hugely important we get everyone involved. I want to make sure everyone knows about the importance of Salisbury and the history around it, so it’s been great being able to do that and share it with so many different people.”