For decades, rumours have persisted of a secret network of tunnels beneath the Oxfordshire village of Bloxham. Now, a local group of enthusiasts has finally confirmed their existence.
Discovery of the Tunnels
The Bloxham Underground Tunnel Society was formed in 2024 after growing online discussions about the mythological subterranean passages. Since then, members have been investigating whether there is any truth to the folklore. Thanks to a series of remarkable breakthroughs, they can now confirm the presence of walkways underneath the quaint village on the edge of the Cotswolds.
Incredible footage shows long, winding tunnels stretching beneath Bloxham, with signs they have been there for a long time. Experts are not sure exactly why the tunnels were built, but some have suggested they were used as an escape route during the persecution of Catholics during the Reformation hundreds of years ago.
Local Reaction
Dave Green, chairman of the society and a local resident, told the Daily Mail that his team were 'very excitable' when they discovered the first 'spooky' tunnel – and they hope to uncover many more. 'Like most villages in the country, there's always myths,' Mr Green said. 'But a lot of people never record anything – it's just talked about through their parents and grandparents. We decided to follow the myths. People tend to rubbish them – they say they're ridiculous and not true. But we don't believe that. We believe what people say. Things get passed on through generations and some things get distorted over time – everyone adds to a story – but there's usually an element of truth.'
First Tunnel Discovery
The first tunnel was discovered after the team opened up a door built into a garden wall. Behind it was a 40-foot (12-metre) long passageway. The society asked experienced cavers from Birmingham University to conduct a risk assessment before they donned headtorches and explored. 'That was our first tunnel exploration which was August last year, and that got us excited. It was like a kid's dream. The tunnel was 40ft (12m) long – but had other channels leading off it which had been blocked off,' Mr Green explained.
Second Tunnel Found Accidentally
In March this year, another tunnel – much bigger than the first – was found when the ground gave way beneath a builder working on foundations for a garage. 'That was 130ft (40m) long,' Mr Green said. 'But there were also chambers and large caverns which I could see over the top of rubble. We really do think there's a whole complex of these tunnels.'
Historical Significance
Mr Green believes the passageways are medieval, potentially dating back 500 years. While their purpose remains unclear, he suggested they may have been used as hiding places, escape routes, or for mining. The team has found fossils in the subterranean stones, as well as animal bones including what they believe to be a red deer skull. Red deer have not been common in the area for hundreds of years, indicating the tunnels have been around for a 'considerable' time. They hope to get the bones carbon dated to provide a more accurate timeline.
Mysterious Markings
There are also markings carved into some of the stones, though their meaning is not yet clear. One appears to be a double V symbol referred to as 'virgo virginum', which dates back to the Middle Ages and was thought to ward off witches and evil spirits. The group has also uncovered Victorian glass bottles, pottery, and unusual stone piles within the subterranean tunnels.
Future Investigations
The Bloxham Underground Tunnel Society consists of Dave Green, Martin Wyatt, Tom Smith, Martin Whytto, Simon Finch, and Jim Smithson. They said more sites have already been identified for further investigation, which could yield the discovery of more passages as part of an underground network.
