Camden Catacombs, Holborn, London

An interesting complex of tunnels and vaults are to be found close to the Roundhouse at Camden. The Camden Catacombs, as they have become known are owned by Railtrack and the only access now is a tunnel entrance alongside the main line.

An extensive range of passages, constructed in the 19th century - 21 ft down...they were used as stables for horses and pit ponies working on the railways. From Primrose Hill to Camden Lock...21 foot down, there's even an underground pool for canal boats down there somewhere.

The tunnels run under the Euston mainline, under the goods depot at Primrose Hill, beneath Gilbeys Bonded Warehouse on the Regents Canal and under Camden Lock Market. Their route can be traced from the distinctive cast-iron grilles set at regular intervals into the road surface; originally the only source of light for the horses below.

The network of tunnels also includes an underground canal basin and this is clearly visible, close to Camden Lock where the towpath is carried across it on a bridge. The tunnels also gave access to the basements of a number of Victorian Warehouses but most of these and sections of the tunnel network were lost during a major redevelopment of the area in the 1980's
Further photos and info at http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/c/camden_catacom… thanks Nick!