Bourne Valley Culvert, Bournemouth, Dorset

It’s not often that a site pops up locally that I’m not already aware of so it was a nice surprise to see friend & fellow explorer, Chaos wrote a report on 28dayslater exploring the Bourne Valley Culvert.

I can’t say I’ve ever been interested in exploring storm drains or culverts and the idea of being underground in a confined space with rushing water all around me was something that I thought I would find difficult, but the locality of this one in particular meant it was an easy, mid-week explore and if I didn’t like it, at least I hadn’t traveled all day to see it!

We parked up on the North side of the railway line, East of Branksome and immediately found our entrance point. A concrete archway. Inside the water gently pushed against our boots and it was fairly slippery under-foot. Immediately the structure was impressive, thirty-forty feet high as we continued North under the road.

The ceiling quickly became lower, and the modern concrete turned in to a beautiful red brick passage. After a couple of turns, modern, cylindrical pipework replaced the brick and with the gradient turning slightly uphill the water was really pushing against us.

It felt like ages had passed when we had finally made our way through the pipe and once again emerged in to an impressive oval passage. Here, the noise from up ahead was loud, like a huge waterfall would appear in front of us at any moment. Alas, not as spectacular as a waterfall, but half a dozen pipes running in to the main stream.

It was here that our journey came to an end. The pipes became half the size of what we had previously navigated and no doubt only got smaller beyond, so we packed away our cameras and headed out. With the stream behind us, it took half the time to exit!

I can safely say I really enjoyed my first time down a drain! I expect it wont be the last time either! Big thanks to Mark for lending me his wide-angle lens, being my guide and my lighting bitch! Ha!

Comments

Important, noteworthy & interesting comments are highlighted below

Andy says:

Mar 8, 2022 at 21:00

Now you found that culvert you should try looking at the tunnels under the Pavilion going to the bandstand.

Reply to Andy
1. The Urban Explorer says:
  
  Mar 9, 2022 at 09:51
  
  Oh yeah? Worth looking at are they?
  
  Reply to The Urban Explorer
  1. John S says:
    
    Jul 16, 2022 at 07:18
    
    Couldn’t quite find the entrance.. where is it please?
    
    Reply to John S
  2. christopher neppiras says:
    
    Aug 16, 2023 at 11:17
    
    Hi Urbex…. under pier approach mmmm memories. There was once a huge pumping hall with manifold pipe entrances, and with pipes that led out to sea, also believe once ran along under the promenade, as I walked it as a kid with my Dad and his friend, it either came out at Sandbanks or somewhere in between that had beach promenade stalls and amusements (but not happy land). Its entrance was right under the fly over. There used to be a wood working shop also where beach hut maintenance on doors and others was carried out from. My uncle, now deceased, used to be the BOB works foreman down there.
    
    Reply to christopher neppiras
James says:

May 3, 2019 at 16:42

Have been looking at this for years and meaning to get down and see it but never got round to it. I have worked out where I need to go, does anybody know if the gas mask is needed as see someone had one in the picture?

Reply to James
1. The Urban Explorer says:
  
  May 8, 2019 at 10:05
  
  As with any underground space there is the potential for nasty gasses, however this is a fresh water culvert. I suspect the photo you saw of someone wearing a gas mask was for effect only… for some reason people like to do that!
  
  Reply to The Urban Explorer
2. Eddie says:
  
  Jul 13, 2023 at 04:20
  
  Hello chaps
  
  I’m in bmth just looking at going to these.
  
  Any of you still on here?
  
  If so give me a shout.
  
  Eddie.
  
  Reply to Eddie
3. chris griffin says:
  
  Feb 2, 2024 at 22:46
  
  I have been into this culvert and all the way to the end and no you don’t need a gas mask it’s just a rain water culvert for excess rain water.
  
  Reply to chris griffin
Maisie says:

Jan 14, 2018 at 12:43

For my university assignment I need to photograph the Bourne Valley culvet, I have no idea where it is and have been looking all day, would you be able to please give me some rough idea of where abouts it is? I have parked north of the railway line on the Bourne Valley Road but can’t find it anywhere!

Reply to Maisie
1. James says:
  
  Jan 16, 2018 at 12:45
  
  Why would you choose a location for an assignment when you don’t know where it is? Anyway, look at a map. Study the river and where it runs and you’ll find it no problem.
  
  Reply to James
Will says:

Dec 22, 2017 at 15:32

Could anyone send the details of how to gain entry?

Reply to Will
Vincent says:

Oct 27, 2017 at 16:31

I can’t find it anywhere

Reply to Vincent
1. chris griffin says:
  
  Feb 2, 2024 at 22:48
  
  I have been into this culvert all the way to the end and you don’t need a gas mask it’s just a rain water culvert for excess rain water. It’s extremely hard to find it’s behind the Paragon hair studio in a closed off location in the car park behind the building.
  
  Reply to chris griffin
James says:

Aug 13, 2017 at 12:01

Hey is it still accessible? And what gear do we need like just water proofs etc

Reply to James
Shane says:

Feb 12, 2017 at 14:33

Is this still accessible?

Reply to Shane
1. Tom says:
  
  Jun 24, 2017 at 18:15
  
  Have you found an entrance yet?
  
  Reply to Tom
2. Ben says:
  
  Jul 9, 2017 at 15:07
  
  Yes it is. I went there yesterday
  
  Reply to Ben
  1. Tom says:
    
    Jul 12, 2017 at 15:49
    
    Do you have a pin point on a map where it exactly is, we cant find it, cheers
    
    Reply to Tom
    1. Ben says:
      
      Jul 13, 2017 at 13:05
      
      The entrance is down Bourne Valley Road near the train track edge it’s been caged by a metre high fence but easy to get in there.
      
      Reply to Ben
    2. Vincent says:
      
      Oct 26, 2017 at 23:07
      
      Do you have a pin point on a map where it exactly is, we cant find it, cheers
      
      Reply to Vincent
brian alexander says:

Dec 12, 2016 at 14:28

I am in a wheelchair now but years ago I was searching culverts and got a site I think was in Birmingham. They were tested with a 10 foot drop. Sorry I’m rambling on but I think what you have done is great.

Reply to brian alexander
David says:

Jul 3, 2016 at 02:41

You should start doing haunted places see what you find.

Reply to David
1. The Urban Explorer says:
  
  Jul 3, 2016 at 20:23
  
  I suspect I’d find nothing. I don’t believe in ghosts.
  
  Reply to The Urban Explorer
Jon says:

Jun 5, 2016 at 22:59

Just visited today, a lot easier to find than I expected, but made the newbie mistake of parking in front of security camera [dumbass]. Time will tell…

I took some photos which I am happy with, but wondered how you keep your camera stable for the long shutter speeds – did you use a tripod in the water flow? Failing that stronger brighter torches for me!

Was surprised at the noise from the outlets in the tunnel, almost disconcerting at first.

Reply to Jon
1. Tom says:
  
  Jun 24, 2017 at 18:16
  
  Hi, do you have a pin point location on a map you can send to me, as we cannot find it, thanks Tom.
  
  Reply to Tom
AWK says:

May 5, 2016 at 07:51

Went there a few weeks back. It was going to be my first explore but had to wait while getting some gear. Anyway we went there and spent a few hours getting photos and such. It was smaller than I anticipated but still a great experience.

Reply to AWK
sinti says:

Jan 13, 2016 at 21:33

I have been looking for an abandoned building or anything that looks old and vintage for ages and have come across this page and I’m in love! Was wondering if you could direct me to any places in Bournemouth or around the area where I could find something abandoned… it’s for a photo shoot and would be great help…
Thank you

Reply to sinti
1. jeran davies says:
  
  Mar 29, 2016 at 12:23
  
  There’s loads on Portland have a look on here you’ll see loads
  
  Reply to jeran davies
GARY WELLZ says:

Sep 22, 2015 at 09:34

Very interesting site, great photos! Well done. I have recently moved here to Branksome in Gloucester Rd, I walk my dog in Branksome Rec & couldn’t understand why it is so soggy & boggy down there until another dog walker explained to me this morning, it all makes sense now.

Gary

Reply to GARY WELLZ
1. The Urban Explorer says:
  
  Sep 22, 2015 at 09:40
  
  Thanks Gary. Glad to provide some insight!
  
  Reply to The Urban Explorer
Ian says:

Jul 9, 2015 at 18:53

We explored these tunnels the other day and we noticed something amazing which may have not been noticed by anyone yet.
Near the end of the tunnels you may notice imprinted all over the ceiling and walls are newspaper pages from September 13, 1933
I am not sure how it was done by they are imprinted on there like paint or a tattoo quite neatly with very fine detail, you just have to read everything backwards.
I have pictures to share.

Reply to Ian
1. The Urban Explorer says:
  
  Jul 11, 2015 at 22:30
  
  I can’t remember seeing that? Feel free to post the photos, the comment box accepts and/or tags.
  
  Reply to The Urban Explorer
2. Richard kennedy says:
  
  Jul 12, 2015 at 14:27
  
  Hi there very interested in doing some photography down there for my portfolio, I’m not much of an explorer I have looked but no luck, any information on location would be brilliant many thanks
  
  Reply to Richard kennedy
tommie says:

Jun 22, 2015 at 15:56

I am on a quest to look into old bunkers and would love to do this one. Any details would be great.

Thanks

Reply to tommie
Doug says:

Mar 23, 2015 at 20:53

Please mail me a.s.a.p, details on all sites in Dorset, access points & advisory notes. Especially in Bournemouth and Poole area, i.e. Holton Heath, Alexander Park, Best regards and thanks for all the great work.

Reply to Doug
1. The Urban Explorer says:
  
  Mar 24, 2015 at 12:44
  
  Hi Doug, sorry but it really doesn’t work like that! Good luck in your own research and investigation though.
  
  Reply to The Urban Explorer
Monica says:

Nov 22, 2014 at 17:53

Where exactly is this?? Looks great

Reply to Monica
John Kelly says:

Nov 20, 2014 at 16:50

Hi. Great article. This is just round the corner from me. I tried looking for it today, but with no luck. Is there any chance someone could email me the specific location of the entry archway? Thanks, John

Reply to John Kelly
1. kenny says:
  
  Jan 26, 2015 at 13:58
  
  Hi John,
  I also live round the corner. Can you please tell me the entrance location.
  Regards
  Kenny
  
  Reply to kenny
Connor says:

Sep 1, 2014 at 23:05

Really cool photos! Me and my friends just came back from having a look at this place after seeing your post on here. But as it had been raining (and only one of us had appropriate footwear) we decided to not venture too far into it, but shall return! Thanks for posting.

Reply to Connor
andy says:

Jul 21, 2014 at 11:11

Great pics mate. Been there myself a few years ago. Just up the road from me. Might have to pay it another visit.

Reply to andy
1. Jack innes says:
  
  Aug 3, 2015 at 15:11
  
  Hi mate, I’m trying to find the Bourne valley. Any chance you could give us a road as a rough idea on how to get there
  
  Cheers
  
  Reply to Jack innes
Jules Riley says:

Apr 6, 2014 at 20:27

I moved to Poole about seven years ago and find these photographs truly stunning. Thank you for all your hard work and effort that you have put into sharing such sites that the majority of us would never have seen.

Reply to Jules Riley
1. The Urban Explorer says:
  
  Apr 6, 2014 at 22:33
  
  Thanks for your kind comments – it’s really my pleasure and I’m just happy people enjoy my photos
  
  Reply to The Urban Explorer
Ash says:

Apr 1, 2014 at 12:41

Hey guys, I’ve lived in bournemouth my whole life and I find this website very interesting! Can you give me some details to find this? Need to go exploring ASAP!

Reply to Ash
niraj says:

Mar 27, 2014 at 14:25

Hi mate this looks sooooo awesome, I want to take a girl here for a first date. How do I get there?

Reply to niraj
1. Will says:
  
  Jan 17, 2021 at 13:33
  
  Thats sounds dodgy as fuck mate. I’d expect your date to be terrified!
  
  Reply to Will
Milo says:

Mar 25, 2014 at 12:30

Hey there,

I’ve been trying to find this location with a friend of mine, but have had some trouble. Do you have any more specifics on the exact location?

Cheers

Reply to Milo
Aaron Darkwood says:

Sep 17, 2013 at 18:27

Hey there, I live local to here and have a huge interest in all things underground, could you email me exact location thanks.

Reply to Aaron Darkwood
Daniel says:

Aug 6, 2013 at 13:20

Hi Adam! This looks great, we’ve been to Holton Heath last week and we loved it. I live in Bournemouth and I heard some urban legends about this place but wasn’t sure if it was still possible to get in. Could you email me any details about this place? Thanks a lot in advance mate.

Reply to Daniel
Adam says:

Mar 20, 2013 at 20:12

Hi I’ve lived in Bournemouth all my life and have never seen these before can you please give me a heads up on a location So I can explore myself many thanks
Adam

Reply to Adam
Mark says:

Feb 14, 2013 at 10:08

You’re very welcome

Reply to Mark
mark says:

Feb 13, 2013 at 18:10

lighting bitch lol they came out really well

Reply to mark
1. The Urban Explorer says:
  
  Feb 14, 2013 at 09:22
  
  Yeh I was pretty happy with them. Needed a bit of exposure tweeking in places but generally alright! Thanks again dude
  
  Reply to The Urban Explorer
matthew Legge says:

Feb 12, 2013 at 12:49

Hello,

Great photo’s… Can you give me a tour sometime?

Reply to matthew Legge
1. The Urban Explorer says:
  
  Feb 12, 2013 at 12:54
  
  Absolutely dude, any time!
  
  Reply to The Urban Explorer

Explore by type

Explore by location

Explore further

Bourne Valley Culvert, Bournemouth, Dorset

Comments

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Explore by type

Explore by location

Explore further

Bourne Valley Culvert, Bournemouth, Dorset

Share

Comments

Leave a comment Cancel reply