Matt Baker says 'it takes my breath away' as he explores amazing hidden tunnel in Wales

Wales Online

2 days ago

Matt Baker says 'it takes my breath away' as he explores amazing hidden tunnel in Wales
Matt, filming for a new series of Channel 4's Matt Baker British Isles, is not the first TV celebrity to visit and be enchanted by this secret treasure
Channel 4's Matt Baker visits one of Wales' hidden gems
(Image: Channel 4 )
When you wander through the south Wales valleys you might never know that, occasionally, you are walking on top of a hidden treasure that links to the past but could be a beacon of prosperity for the future.
Rhondda Tunnel is one such gem - a relic of the area's past industrial heritage but a unique feature that has been mesmerising those lucky enough to be allowed down it with permission and assistance from the Rhondda Tunnel Society.
‌
They are a group of local people set up in 2014 with the dream of one day getting the tunnel open again for bikes and pedestrians, and spearheading tourism regeneration in the area.
‌
One such person who has recently explored the tunnel - and was, of course, enchanted by it - was Channel 4's Matt Baker, who visited as part of episode one of a new series of Matt Baker's British Isles, where the popular presenter visits some of the country's most unique and loved locations - and Rhondda tunnel certainly ticks those boxes. For more home and property content sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here
READ MORE: Homes Under The Hammer's Martin Roberts says 'something real is going to happen' as he shares Welsh project update
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: You can stay in the idyllic house that features in Matt Baker's Our Dream Farm
Article continues below
Matt Baker meets Rhondda Tunnel Society founder member Steve Mackey
(Image: Channel 4 )
Before meeting the passionate members of the Rhondda Tunnel Society, Matt said: "I've been drawn to this part of the Welsh valleys to see something that's been hidden from the rest of Britain for decades - it's a two mile secret that could make this part of Wales, and the country, world famous."
The tunnel was originally built by the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway under the engineering expertise of Sydney William Yockney, son of Samuel Hansard Yockney, who had previously worked with Isambard Kingdom Brunel on other tunnel projects.
‌
Matt is ready for the descent into the tunnel
(Image: Channel 4 )
Work on the two-mile long tunnel commenced from both ends in 1885, at Blaencwm in the Rhondda and Blaengwyfni in the Afan Valley. The tunnel first opened its doors in 1890, serving as a route for coal trains heading to Swansea Bay until it was closed in 1968, with entrances at both ends now buried.
But the society, founded in 2014, has been working tirelessly to gain awareness and funding for the project to re-open the tunnel If converted into a cycle and pedestrian tunnel, it would be the longest in Europe, second only globally to the Snoqualmie Tunnel near Seattle in the USA, which spans 2.5 miles.
‌
An old photo of when the tunnel was being bricked up and the stone where Steve wrote his message when he was a boy
(Image: Channel 4 )
But it could have been buried and hidden for even longer if founder member of the society, Steve Mackey, hadn't stumbled across the entrance, literally, and it was almost as though it was meant to be.
Steve told Matt he remembered the tunnel being closed up when he was a child and being mischievous but intrigued he visited it and graffitied on the stone his name and the words, 'please open me'.
‌
Both entrances were landscaped over and buried deep below ground and the tunnel faded from Steve's memory until the day he lost his job a decade ago.
He was upset and so went for a 'long, long walk' and stumbled upon a huge bramble bush - he could see something under it and after clearing the foliage away discovered it was the stone with his words on it - the tunnel had 'spookily' reconnected with him.
Matt is winched down an air shaft
(Image: Channel 4 )
‌
Matt discovered that a hard core of society members, from all walks of life and ages, now spent their time underground working towards giving the tunnel a new lease of life.
Society member Brian got Matt ready for the descent into the tunnel that included a boiler suit, hard hat and harness to lower him down the air shaft - currently the only way to gain access. Matt said: "What a brilliant group of people, honestly they're so passionate about their cause - it's bonkers but it's brilliant!"
Matt is amazed at the brickwork and condition of the tunnel
(Image: Channel 4 )
‌
As soon as Matt descended into this unique slice of Welsh heritage he was in awe. He commented: "It takes your breath away - you just can't quite believe it, that it's going on for two miles. It feels incredibly special to be experiencing this, honestly I just can't get over it, I can't get over the workmanship, (you can see) the trawl marks. The brick work is absolutely beautiful, pristine."
Whilst down the tunnel, Matt helped the team lay a new communication cable as well as being only the second person to ever ride a bike along a section of the structure, he also discovered that the 'band of believers' were down the tunnel every week working on it.
Matt arrives in the tunnel
(Image: Channel 4 )
‌
He said: "I love the drive, I love the passion and I love that you're all in it for the same reason - you just want to show the world the potential of this two mile secret. But this lot have only just started and they've got a long journey ahead but they've got the passion, pride and determination to make it happen. That is something that I will never forget - I'll be back when it's open."
But Matt is not the only TV celebrity to have been enchanted by the tunnel, and the potential of what could be achieved at the site.
Society member Steve Jones takes Matt on a tunnel tour
(Image: Channel 4 )
‌
Homes Under The Hammer's Martin Roberts became such an advocate for the work of the tunnel society after being invited to climb down and explore the structure that when the group asked him to become a patron he was thrilled - and since then has been working hard in conjunction with the society to raise awareness, support and funds to eventually realise the vision of the tunnel re-opening and rejuvenating the area. Find out more about that here.
Matt is not the first TV celebrity to go down into the tunnel - Martin Roberts beat him to it and is now the society's patron
(Image: Martin Roberts / Rhondda Tunnel Society )
Martin is no stranger to Wales, having filmed here multiple times for Homes Under The Hammer as well as owning a stunning farmhouse that is currently a holiday let and continuing to renovate the Hendrewen hotel and pub in Blaencwm, located at the top of the Rhondda Fawr valley.
Article continues below
But he has told WalesOnline that there will be more progress to announce on the tunnel's development and future very, very soon.
For more home content, including products, join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.