Park Tunnel, Nottingham

The Park Tunnel was built in 1855 to allow access between The Park Estate and Derby Road in the English city of Nottingham. The Park Estate was formerly a private hunting park for the Duke of Newcastle who was also the owner of the adjacent Nottingham Castle. The Fifth Duke of Newcastle retained architect Thomas Chambers (T.C.) Hine (1813–1899) to design and build the Park Tunnel (primarily as the main entrance to the Park) and to develop the Park as a residential area in central Nottingham for the wealthier members of society. T.C.Hine was also made responsible for the later repair of Nottingham Castle and its conversion into a museum.[1][2]

Park Tunnel
The Park Tunnel photographed from Tunnel Road in the Park, Nottingham in 2019
Overview
LocationNottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
Coordinates52.9544°N 1.1594°W / 52.9544; -1.1594
StatusOpen
Operation
Opened1855
OwnerThe Nottingham Park Estate Limited
TrafficPedestrian
Technical
Length125 metres (410 ft)

The tunnel is approximately 125 metres (410 ft) in length, with a central open section some 25 metres (82 ft) in length. It was intended to allow access to and from the park by horse-drawn carriages, and the original requirement was for a tunnel with a maximum gradient of 1 in 14 and the ability for coaches to pass each other within the tunnel. As built, the tunnel actually had a gradient of 1 in 12, which was considered too great for horse-drawn carriages, and as easier accesses were constructed elsewhere in The Park Estate, it never fulfilled its original purpose. However the tunnel is still in use, providing pedestrian access to and from The Park Estate.[3][4][5]

From The Park Estate end, the tunnel is approached from Tunnel Road, and the original vehicular nature of the tunnel is clear from the ramped access. The first section of tunnel passes under Newcastle Drive and the Ropewalk and is unlined, being carved from the natural Nottingham Castle Sandstone. An open section in the centre of the tunnel provides natural light and ventilation, and a staircase ascends around the wall of this opening to the junction of the Ropewalk with Upper College Street. A second tunnel section passes under College Street whilst rising to meet Derby Road, but has been modified and partially blocked by subsequent building works, and access to Derby Road is now via a flight of stairs into the car park of the building above.[5][6]

The tunnel is listed as a Grade II listed building with a list entry number of 1059025.[5][7]

References
  1. "Nottingham Park: From Ducal Estate to Urban Residence". Manuscripts and Special Collections. University of Nottingham. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  2. "T C Hine and the Park Tunnel". Manuscripts and Special Collections. University of Nottingham. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  3. Waltham, Tony (2018). Sandstone Caves of Nottingham (Fourth ed.). East Midlands Geological Society. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-9519717-8-9.
  4. "The Park Tunnel". Visit Nottinghamshire. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  5. "Park Tunnel". Historic England. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  6. Waltham, Tony (2018). Sandstone Caves of Nottingham (Fourth ed.). East Midlands Geological Society. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-9519717-8-9.
  7. "Park Tunnel". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
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