Part of the tunnel complex is believed to go back to the mid-19th century at least, but the current structure dates from the early part of the Second World War, having been built to protect the beach, a likely invasion point. Sections of the tunnel are unlined, particularly the first length up from the original entrance, while other sections have either a brick wall facing or irregularly spaced brick piers and vaulted corrugated steel roofs above. Nearer the cliff face erosion has taken its toll and most of the machine gun post’s original 0.6m thick reinforced concrete front wall and brick facing have now fallen away The post was initially manned by the 70th Battalion The Buffs until November 1940 when the 5th Battalion Royal Marines Commandos took over from them. Their local headquarters was in the nearby village at Curfew House on Kingsdown Road (now the Royal British Legion local headquarters and a private house) and to keep themselves amused they made practice attacks on local regiments.
