Monument record TR 15 SE 63 - Bourne Park Tunnel

Summary

Bourne Park Tunnel on the Elham Valley Railway opened in 1887. Located adjacent to Lenhall farm. The tunnel was purportedly built so as to not spoil the view from Bourne House. Requisitioned by the military it was used in World War II as a store for the railway gun known as the Boche Buster. After the war the line opened again to the public, but closed in 1947.

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 1790 5290 (213m by 245m) (2 map features)
Map sheet TR15SE
County KENT
District CANTERBURY, KENT
Civil Parish BISHOPSBOURNE, CANTERBURY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

TR178530-TR180528 Bourne Park Tunnel. (1)

Recorded by NRIM, photographed. (2)

In January 1941 the massive 18-in. rail gun Boche Buster was brought down from Catterick Camp disguised as banana wagons and stored in Bourne Park Tunnel. (3)

Opened 1887 closed 1947. (4)


<1> Ind Arch of SE England 1978 27-8 (AJ Haselfoot) (OS Card Reference). SKE44249.

<2> Simon Langton Boys' School, Canterbury, 1963, National Record of Industrial Monuments (Index). SKE59103.

<3> Peter Higginbotham, Higginbotham, Peter. 2000. The Workhouse. (Website). SKE53741.

<4> Southern England (Map). SWX21075.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1>XY OS Card Reference: Ind Arch of SE England 1978 27-8 (AJ Haselfoot). [Mapped feature: #43968 Tunnel, ]
  • <2> Index: Simon Langton Boys' School, Canterbury. 1963. National Record of Industrial Monuments.
  • <3> Website: Peter Higginbotham. Higginbotham, Peter. 2000. The Workhouse..
  • <4> Map: Southern England.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: National Record of Industrial Monuments (EKE20814)

Record last edited

Aug 20 2026 3:30PM