Secret Boldrewood Tunnel: Myth or Reality?

Existence of a secret pedestrian tunnel running between the University of Southampton Students Union and Boldrewood Campus has often been rumoured.

It is claimed that the tunnel was built at the same time as Boldrewood Campus, but was closed down in 2004 over concerns for the safety of those using the tunnel.

Boldrewood Tunnel: not so much a myth as a legend

If this doesn’t seem unusual enough, the supposed tunnel also has its own non-SUSU approved society (www.boldrewoodtunnelsoc.com). The Boldrewood Tunnel Society was started in 2006 with over 450 members, including the celebrity Dave Gorman. The society promotes the discovery and re-opening of the tunnel for pedestrian use.

Whether the tunnel truly exists and where the entrances might be is up for speculation. This reporter however found little evidence of its existence from building plans or staff interviews suggesting it is little more than elaborate joke.

However if the university did in fact close the tunnel with health and safety in mind, it is not beyond imagination that it may serve their purposes to keep it, and its location, a secret.

Boldrewood Tunnel for now it seems will remain a myth and subject to personal opinion, although this reporter has his doubts.