The north portal of Lydden Tunnel, photographed on 21st September 2009. photograph by Gregory Beecroft

The brick portals are quite plain, but have two string courses. The north portal has had extensive repairs using non-matching bricks.

The south portal of Lydden Tunnel. photograph by Gregory Beecroft

In common with many other long tunnels, construction shafts were sunk, so that work could proceed at more than two faces. Once the tunnel was completed, the shafts were often retained to provide ventilation, but sometimes they were closed off.

Lydden Tunnel north shaft. photograph by Gregory Beecroft

Lydden Tunnel south shaft. photograph by Gregory Beecroft

Lydden Tunnel has two shafts, so that excavation could proceed at six faces. High brick enclosures prevent people falling down the shafts. These are usually plain, but those at Lydden have recessed panels. Metal grills prevent objects being thrown down the shafts. The north shaft projects above a mound of spoil. The quantity of spoil produced from a long tunnel and the cuttings at its end often exceeded what was required in the area for embankments or it was unsuitable. Quite often spoil heaps will be found over or near tunnels.

Lydden Tunnel spoil heap. photograph by Gregory Beecroft

There is a large heap of excavated chalk over the south end of Lydden Tunnel. Spoil heaps are sometimes found alongside cuttings. A significant amount of spoil is deposited along the top of the cutting at Deepcut, east of Farnborough.