Joseph Williamson’s Tunnels are the maze-like remains of excavations under Edge Hill. They are the work of Joseph Williamson under the streets of east central Liverpool, constructed in the early part of the 19th Century.
Williamson had bought land on Mason Street on which to build houses. He employed a number of men to dig tunnels, build vaults and construct arches through the sandstone outcrop. Eventually the area bounded by Mason Street, Grinfield Street, Smithdown Lane and Paddington was riddled with underground excavations.
A number of theories exist as to why Williamson built these structures. The most popular explanation is that he wished to employ the local poor, rather than give handouts. Williamson himself lent support to this view, noting how poverty brought with it “the attendant curse of stifled self respect”.
The tunnels have never disappeared entirely from public consciousness, but since the early 1990s interest in the remains has grown. The Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre presents the site to the public. The Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels carry out investigations (including excavation and survey) on the site and campaigns for its protection.
Excavations at Joseph Williamson’s Tunnels
Excavation are constantly uncovering new tunnels, which is the wonderful thing about this site. In recent years the Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels have done a lot of work at Williamson’s house on Mason Street.
The house itself is no now more than a shell. For many years it was the site of a garage, and ironically this has helped preservation. The garage owners built a concrete roof over some rooms (the parts now called the Wine Cellars). This has kept them intact, and as the Friends carry on digging, they reveal more untouched brickwork. The site at Paddington, just around the corner from Mason’s House, is also revealing amazing depths.
Further Reading
Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre
Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels
Further Viewing
There is a FoWT YouTube channel. There are new videos regularly; I recommend watching Joseph Williamson’s Great Tunnel, which charts the group’s attempts to find the ‘Holy Grail’ of tunnels.
John V Catherall
says:I was first told about these tunnels last week in a pub in Wales and was surprised to watch a TV clip showing them later in the week, where can I learn more about these?
I would love to visit some time too.
We live in Preston but was born on The Wirral and worked in Liverpool from 1961
Many thanks
John V Catherall
Martin Greaney
says:Hi John,
Yes, these are a fascinating bit of Liverpool’s hidden history! Apart from visiting them in person, which is by far the best way of finding out what little we understand about Joseph Williamson and his works, there is a book on the topic, called The Mole of Edge Hill, available on Lulu and elsewhere. I’ve not read it myself, so can’t vouch for its content, but there’s not a lot else out there. The other option is looking in the many general Liverpool history books out there, which pretty much all mention the Tunnels in one way or another.
Regards,
Martin
Cath Roberts
says:Has anybody heard of a 1950’s children’s book set in the Williamson Tunnels?
Any help much appreciated.
Thanks
Jenny Bouchami
says:Love the fact that they brought them back to life & thanks to DR Who for revealing these tunnels to a new generation.
David Bridson
says:The Deans Defy Danger by Kathleen Fidler
Linda
says:looking forward to visiting Williamson tunnels with my sister and son from America