Liverpool's Underground historical tunnels. The Williamson tunnels (Part 1)
In this family friendly video we visit Liverpools Underground historical tunnels, The Williamson Tunnels in Edge hill Liverpool. A crucial part of Liverpool's history. These underground tunnels underneath the streets of Liverpool were dug in the early 1800's commissioned by the rich Tobacco trader Joseph Williamson nicknamed the mole of edge hill. to give the poor and destitute men of the time work. In this urbex, urban explore we go into the secret underground Labyrinth of Liverpool's historical tunnels. We see the findings that the volunteers have discovered. A whole host of antique bottles and earthenware and pottery. A must for antique lovers. As we descend we see the final underground chamber that is almost cathedral like. Visit williamsontunnels.com for more info The friends of williamson tunnel. #liverpoolhistory #undergroundtunnels #heritage
A Brief History of the Williamson Tunnels
An introduction to the mysterious Williamson Tunnels in Edge Hill, Liverpool and the work of the campaign group The Friends of Williamson's Tunnels. The underground labyrinth was built in the early 1800s and much of it is hidden today. Joseph Williamson was a wealthy tobacco merchant who paid hundreds of unemployed men to dig seemly pointless holes in the ground. The Friends of Williamson's Tunnels are working to protect the underground structures that remain, and reopen more of the tunnel system. The video is narrated by Roger Phillips of BBC Radio Merseyside and features readings of historical texts by local actor Graham Frood.
A 50-minute DVD detailing the full history of Joseph Williamson’s life and his mysterious tunnel network can be bought from the Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels at
News of the campaign to restore the Tunnels is at
Tradition Films specializes in documentary and local history films
Underground Liverpool - Williamson Tunnels Part 1
in this video we take a trip to Liverpool to visit the friends of Williamson tunnels and take a look around the labyrinth of tunnels which where dug for a Mr Joseph Williamson a wealthy man for his time and he employed men to dig and fill in tunnels as a way for them to earn a living a real sympathetic man to the times.
The Williamson Tunnels are a series of large subterranean excavations in the Edge Hill area of Liverpool, England, which were created under the direction of tobacco merchant, landowner and philanthropist Joseph Williamson between 1810 and 1840. Although popularly described as tunnels, the majority comprise brick or stone vaulting over excavations in the underlying sandstone. The purpose of the works remains unclear, although quarrying, a philanthropic desire to provide employment, and Williamson's own eccentric interests have all been suggested.
They remained derelict, filled with rubble and refuse, until archaeological investigations were carried out in 1995. Since then further excavations have been carried out and part of the labyrinth of tunnels has been opened to the public as a heritage centre.
hope you enjoy watching this I enjoyed exploring it
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Underground Liverpool - Williamson Tunnels Part 2
Rediscovered Underground Tunnels
Part Two is finally here & in this video we carry on exploring the Williamson tunnels in Liverpool. We have seen the paddington site in the last video and in this video we take a look at the house site. The house site is the former location of Joseph Williamson's house. We explored the underground labyrinth or network of tunnels & openings. such a vast place and to think that these old forgotten tunnels were all excavated by shovels and pick axes over a 100 years ago. a real piece of British history. present day the tunnels are being excavated once again and this time its for historical purposes and I was so honoured to be invited to take a look at such an architectural mystery.
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Underground Liverpool - Williamson Tunnels Part 3
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Underground Liverpool
welcome back to another video with curbexuk and today I am in liverpool at the williamson tunnels here to explore this labyrinth of underground tunnels.
heres a little info on the Williamson tunnels
The Williamson Tunnels are a series of extensive subterranean excavations, of unknown purpose, in the Edge Hill area of Liverpool, England. They were created under the direction of tobacco merchant, landowner and philanthropist Joseph Williamson between 1810 and 1840. Although popularly described as tunnels, the majority comprise brick or stone vaulting over excavations in the underlying sandstone. The purpose of the works remains unclear and remains a subject of heavy speculation; suggestions include commercial quarrying, a philanthropic desire to provide employment, and Williamson's own eccentric interests.
They remained derelict, inaccessible and filled with rubble and spoil, until archaeological investigations were carried out in 1995. Since then volunteers have re-discovered and excavated an extensive network of tunnels across several sites, with sections open to the public. Guided tours are available at the Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre and the Friends Of Williamson's Tunnels, and excavation continues as volunteers continue to uncover new sections. In 1805, wealthy businessman Joseph Williamson acquired an area of land in Mason Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool, which was then a largely undeveloped outcrop of sandstone with a scattering of scars from small-scale quarrying. The land was held under a lease from the West Derby Waste Commissioners, who retained rights to the minerals under it. He started to build houses on the site.
According to the account of a 19th century Liverpool antiquarian, James Stonehouse, these houses were eccentric in design and of the strangest description without any rational plans. The ground behind the houses dropped sharply and in order to provide large gardens Williamson built arched terraces over which the gardens could be extended. When these were complete he continued to employ his workmen: according to Stonehouse this was sometimes to carry out apparently pointless tasks, such as moving rubble from one place to another, then back again. Williamson took on many more labourers, recruiting from among the poor and needy of the area, including soldiers left unemployed at the end of the Napoleonic War. The many buildings erected by Williamson included a large house in Mason Street occupied by himself and his wife.
Williamson's major project was to excavate an extensive series of brick-arched tunnels in various directions and depths within the sandstone to the limits of, and possibly beyond, the land owned by him. Stonehouse, who traversed parts of the tunnels in 1845, described the excavations as a labyrinth of vaulted passages pits deep, and yawning chasms, including a fearful opening beneath Grinfield Street with two complete four-roomed houses in the side of it connected by a spiral passage. This apparent tunnel-building activity continued until Williamson's death in 1840. In August 1867 the Liverpool Porcupine described the tunnels as being a great nuisance because drains ran straight into them, in one place creating a cess pool full of offensive water 15 feet (5 m) deep, and they were being used for dumping refuse,[6] including down chutes built into the buildings above for the purpose. In the later 19th century the Corporation of Liverpool began backfilling the tunnels with rubble and other waste from building demolition, a process that sporadically continued into the 20th century. Little information about the excavations had been recorded and nearly all knowledge of them, and of Williamson's life, was derived from the writing of James Stonehouse. His account was not published at the time, but was referenced in his later works and was finally reprinted in full by Charles Hand as part of a 1916 article, Joseph Williamson, the King of Edge Hill, published in the Transactions of the Lancashire and Cheshire Historical Society.
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Williamson's Tunnels (Mason Street/Paddington) Liverpool: March 2019
Special thanks to The Friends of Williamson's Tunnels and Toc66, photographs and music by Edward McCormack 2019.
The Williamson Tunnels. Liverpool's Historic underground Tunnels Part 2
In this video we again explore The Williamson Tunnels. In this part two we are again in the edge hill area of Liverpool exploring the underground tunnels dug by Joseph Williamson the mole of edge hill and being uncovered by the friends of Williamson tunnels. These historic underground tunnels hold a treasure trove of antiques. The Edwardian and Victorians used the underground tunnels as a dumping ground. So there is lots of antique pottery to be found. In our Urbex, urban explore we visit the deepest part of underground Liverpool where the volunteers are digging out the tunnels. This is underground exploring at its best and we uncover the hidden history of Victorian and Edwardian Liverpool #liverpool #undergroundtunnels #hiddenhistory
The Friends and the Mysterious Williamson's Tunnels
This video focuses on introduction of Williamson’s Tunnels and the story of charity that contributes to explore and preserve this heritage – the Friends of Williamson's Tunnels. This Tunnels is a mysterious underground world in the Liverpool for about 200 years, built by a tobacco merchant Joseph Williamson. There are 3 lovely volunteers from the Friends of Williamson's Tunnel in the video talk about their works and the difficulties they are facing now. This heritage contains many significances such as different cultural relics. We want to call on more people to donate to this heritage and join this charity. If you like this video and want more people contribute to preserve it, please share our video, click like or leave your comment below.
【More Information】
Donate at:
Official Website:
Twitter of the Friends of Williamson's Tunnel:
The New Williamson's Tunnel
We recently found a New rock cut Tunnel, leading through to another Chamber alongside the Banqueting Hall. Within this chamber, whilst surveying within the chamber a Sandstone Arch has been revealed. This is amazing, could this tunnel lead us into the long lost Great Tunnel? Time will tell. Exciting Times Ahead...
Who wants to be a volunteer? Friends of Williamson's Tunnels Liverpool
A big thank you to Tom and the rest of the FOWT team for the help they have provided us in making this video!
DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER? Check out:
williamson tunnels liverpool,
Williamson tunnels Liverpool 15/12/2018,guided tour
Williamson Tunnels Liverpool
Guide Eric
Liverpool's lost Williamson tunnels unearthed
Volunteers in Liverpool are giving up their free time to clear out a mysterious labyrinth of tunnels that lurk beneath the city's Edge Hill area.
The Friends of the Williamson Tunnels are removing the results of decades of Victorian fly-tipping, hoping one day to expose tunnels which they believe could stretch for miles.
The tunnels were built and conceived in the early 19th century by eccentric businessman Joseph Williamson, who paid soldiers returning from the Napoleonic war to build them. No records were kept of how far they stretch, nor which direction they go in.
After Williamson's death in 1840, the tunnels fell into disrepair. The site currently being cleared was filled with over 100 years' worth of ash and debris from a local bakery.
BBC News was given a tour by volunteers who explained why they are so intrigued by Williamson's weird and wonderful world.
Video Journalist: Dan Curtis
Williamson tunnels heritage centre
Tunnels Lost in Time
What happened to the network of tunnels that once connected the Cathedral of St. Helena with the rectory across the street?
H.W.P.I Williamsons Tunnels Investigation
Hidden Wirral Paranormal Investigations Team visited the Williamson Tunnels on 4th 2017. It was a brilliant night with some interesting information coming through about just how far.
An introduction to the mysterious Williamson Tunnels in Edge Hill, Liverpool and the work of the campaign group The Friends of Williamsons Tunnels. The underground labyrinth was built in.
We still Dont know there real purpose.
Mysterious Williamson Tunnels | History and GHOST TALES | MUST SEE!
Documentary and mini investigation at The Williamson tunnels located in Liverpool is a location that is truly fascinating and mysterious. Joseph Williamson created an underground world with sections and tunnels which lead off directly underneath his home. He would have had help from many to do this between roughly 1810 and 1840. Why he decided to do this is where the mystery lies. There is many Chinese whispers and speculation to why but there is no solid proof....
There are no records, no conversations recorded, there is nothing....it truly was a secret but a secret that was known to many but nobody ever told.....
The tunnels remained derelict and filled with rumble until archaelogical investigations were carried out in 1995. The site is still being excavated to this day and the fantantic team named friends of willamson spend every wednesday and sunday digging by shovel,to unearth this mysterious world...up to yet they have dug out 4 levels and they have just recently found a 5th.
During the excavation is where the ghostly accounts surface....Many of the trustees have experienced something here from hearing children voices, hearing knocks and unexplainable noises, having things thrown at them and even a deformed full-bodied apparition appear at times.
What do we encounter while here....watch and see!
Liverpool's Labyrinth and the Mole of Edge Hill
Hey all. In this video I talk about the Labyrinth underneath the city of Liverpool, UK. It's the first episode of my one-offs which ill be shooting out every now and then.
Here's some sources for continued reading...
Thanks for watching!
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Sophie Bernice- 'Serve My Soul' (Williamson Tunnels)
Song 1/3 recorded in the Willamson Tunnels, Liverpool. This song will be on my upcoming EP Leave Our Skins which will be out with Klee Music!
Thank you for your support!
Video/Production: Kyle May
Sound Recordist: Freddie Ligertwood
Williamson Tunnels:
Written and Performed by Sophie Bernice