Badgers Oak Tunnel (Disused)

Badgers Oak Tunnel is between Hawkhurst Station and Cranbrook Station on the old Hawkhurst Branch Line, which closed on 12 June 1961. The tunnel is 178 yeards in length and only of sufficient bore for a single track. It curves slightly at the southern end. At the time of the visit this was a dangerous environment and a hard hat area. Visitors needed to be suitably equipped. There were overhanging and unstable trees, the ground was covered by a deep sludge, and the tunnel was waterlogged. It was unsafe to enter. An attempt to enter the southern cutting and photograph the southern portal was abandoned as it was judged to be too dangerous.

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The northern portal of the abandoned Badgers Oak Tunnel. The.tunnel is only of sufficient bore for a single track and curves slightly at the southern end. A chink of light can just be seen from the far end of the tunnel. 31.05.2004. At the time of the visit this was a dangerous environment and a hard hat area. Visitors needed to be suitably equipped. There were overhanging and unstable trees, the ground was covered by a deep sludge, and the tunnel was waterlogged. It was unsafe to enter.
hawkhurst branch hawkhurst line badgers oak badgers oak tunnel hawkhurst station cranbrook station
The northern portal of the abandoned Badgers Oak Tunnel. The.tunnel is only of sufficient bore for a single track and curves slightly at the southern end. 31.05.2004. At the time of the visit this was a dangerous environment and a hard hat area. Visitors needed to be suitably equipped. There were overhanging and unstable trees, the ground was covered by a deep sludge, and the tunnel was waterlogged. It was unsafe to enter.
hawkhurst branch hawkhurst line badgers oak badgers oak tunnel hawkhurst station cranbrook station
Looking south along the overgrown cutting towards the northern portal of Badgers Oak Tunnel. 31.05.2004
hawkhurst branch hawkhurst line badgers oak badgers oak tunnel hawkhurst station cranbrook station
Looking south along the overgrown cutting towards Badgers Oak Tunnel. 31.05.2004
hawkhurst branch hawkhurst line badgers oak badgers oak tunnel hawkhurst station cranbrook station
Looking north along the overgrown cutting leading away from Badgers Oak Tunnel. 31.05.2004
hawkhurst branch hawkhurst line badgers oak badgers oak tunnel hawkhurst station cranbrook station
Looking down into the totally overgrown cutting from above the northern portal of Badgers Oak Tunnel. 31.05.2004
hawkhurst branch hawkhurst line badgers oak badgers oak tunnel hawkhurst station cranbrook station
Looking down into the totally overgrown cutting from the top of the cutting. The old trackbed leads towards the tunnel in the bottom left hand corner of the picture. 31.05.2004
hawkhurst branch hawkhurst line badgers oak badgers oak tunnel hawkhurst station cranbrook station