The Welbeck estate is quite extensive, taking in famland, woodland, lakes, and various buildings – including the grand country house, Welbeck Abbey. One curiosity about the estate is it’s extensive network of underground tunnels and rooms, built by the reclusive William John Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 5th Duke of Portland

The duke’s father, expecting an oak shortage, had planted hundreds of trees, which his son later used to build an extensive network of underground rooms and tunnels. These tunnels were reputed to span 15 miles, linking subterranean chambers with buildings above ground. They included a 1,000 yd passage between the house and the riding house, a rougher parallel tunnel for workmen, and a 1.25 mile tunnel from the coach house to the south lodge, said to be wide enough for two carriages. This longer tunnel had domed skylights visible from the surface and was lit by gaslight at night.

All the chambers were painted pink and included a great hall -160 feet by 63 feet – originally intended as a chapel but used as a picture gallery and occasionally as a ballroom. The ballroom reportedly featured a hydraulic lift for 20 guests and a ceiling painted as a giant sunset, though the duke never held dances there. Other underground rooms included a 250 foot library, an observatory with a large glass roof, and a vast billiards room. His prolific tunnelling is thought to have inspired Mr. Badger in The Wind in the Willows.

The first two pictures shown here are the south tunnel lodge and tunnel entrance. I didn’t take a head-on photograph of the entrance as there was a large white van parked there, which I though spoiled the scene a little. The final picture is a cottage across from the tunnel entrance. I’m unsure if this has a formal name (but it had some impressive looking hens in the garden).

Nikon F80 and Nikkor 70-200mm f/4 ED VR on Fomapan 400 (@320asa). Semi-stand in Rodinal 1+100 for 1 hour @ 20°.

Taken on 8 February 2026