Tintern 'secret' medieval tunnel system found by accident

[Imperial Dave]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56281726

it might be medieval but not proven yet...

funnily enough I know exactly where this is (being a local) and its about 1000 yards from the Tintern Abbey complex

[Mark G]

Mmmm what would you want a secret tunnel to the Abbey for.

Will we be seeing a report of secret distillery found, in the near future?

I note it's at 'crawled home in disgrace' height

[Imperial Dave]

or that they just employed very short people....

[RichT]

It looks like a covered leat. There's a water mill at the bottom of the valley, which could be connected.

[Imperial Dave]

yes and there is an iron works further up the Angiddy

[Swampster]

The argument will go...
"Tintern artificial watercourse"
"'Tis".

With apologies to the late Terry Wogan

[Nick Harbud]

Well, this is what happens when Holly, in his enthusiasm, digs the escape tunnel before Mrs H. declares that she "has no intention of living in that place - it's a ruin!"   

[Imperial Dave]

lol

the tunnel is in one of our favourite spots the Angiddy Valley with a lovely cafe just down the lane. very nice area indeedy

[Erpingham]

This CADW description may help with forming a view on the use and antiquity of the tunnel.

Seems we have two main choices; monastic grain mills and post medieval iron works.

[Imperial Dave]

the proximity of all the archaeology is really close so could be anything

[Jim Webster]

It looks like a covered leat. There's a water mill at the bottom of the valley, which could be connected.

That was my first thought as well. It looks like it's been dug as a ditch, a stone floor put in and walls built then a roof added and the whole thing filled.
The stones on the floor even look a bit waterworn and there may be silt there as well