Yesterday I had the opportunity to investigate Fort Widley in Portsmouth and it was a very enjoyable investigation!
The Fort is situated at the top of Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth and dates back to 1861 when construction started as part of Portsmouth defence. The Fort continued to be armed until 1907 but it remained in military hands until 1939; it was used for various things during the Second World War. Portsmouth City Council have owned the Fort since 1972.
After we had arrived and got ourselves sorted, we split into two groups. My first area to investigate was the East Tunnel. The temperature readings were between 11-14 degrees Celsius but it was fairly quiet. The tunnel was naturally dark but there was a comfortable feeling about it. We made our way back to the base room 35 minutes later and were asked if we wanted to go back down and investigate another tunnel as the smokers of the group were having a smoke break lol. Phil and myself took ourselves down to the West Tunnel where we felt we were being watched the whole time. We felt it was out of curiosity rather than of any other nature.
We made our way back to the base room to be split into pairs. I was paired with Alan and we were sent down to the East Tunnel (second time again for me lol) and it was an interesting vigil. The area had a comfortable feeling and after a wander about, we climbed up the stairs to go onto the next floor. Alan decided to call in the spirits and not long after he did, we heard one very loud bang. We looked at each other and wondered where it had come from. It was definitely within the area so we went downstairs and checked the two doors. After some tests, although one door did bang, we could not get it to make the very loud bang sound we had heard. I have captured it on my dictaphone so I hope to upload it onto the site once I have cleaned it up as much as I can, getting rid of all background noise. I also saw a streak of light; I did think it could have been from looking at my cameras and turning my head however I couldn't re-enact what I had seen.
We all had a short break then continued working in pairs. Alan and I went to the Quiet Rooms, and weren't they quiet! The only noises in the rooms were caused by the wind rattling the windows. Nothing else really to report from these rooms.
We went back to base room for yet another break before we all went to the North Tunnel. There was a strange feeling about the area although it did seem fairly quiet. After spending some time in the tunnel, we made our way back to our base, however on the way back, I thought I heard a noise coming from a room to my right but when I looked, there was nothing there.
We were actually allowed to complete solo vigils if we wanted to but at our own risk. A couple of us (including myself) wanted to do this and we had to draw a piece of paper which told us which area we were going. I was drawn the Horse Zone and was given 30 minutes time. The Horse Zone was made of two rooms of which one had horse simulators in. I sat in each room for 15 minutes; completed evp experiments and had the camcorder on. The whole time I was in the room with the simulators I was more drawn to outside!! Looking through the middle window, I felt compelled to look up high up past the wall to what is a big field. Up the top there were railings I felt there was man up there looking down and about to fall. I didn't find out until later on when speaking to another investigator that she felt the same thing; spooky! The Horse Zone was generally very quiet; the only noises were coming from the windows rattling; no cold draughts as temperature was constant.
After the solo vigils were completed and another break was had, another investigator, Julie and myself went down to the North Tunnels. I have walked down South, East and West Tunnels no problem but the North Tunnel felt quite strange. We had walked well past the gates and well into the area when I immediately felt bit uneasy, like we shouldn't be there. I asked Julie how she was feeling and she said she felt bit uneasy as well. It could be that it was just the two down in the North Tunnel, it was very dark (apart from the torchlight) and it was in the early hours of the morning when your mind plays tricks but we decided to go back. On the way back, we passed the spiral staircase which is centre of the pathways to all the tunnels but that has a very creepy feeling about it. Last time I investigated the Fort, I think someone picked up the presence of a screaming woman.
We all were gathered back in the base room where we decided the investigation reached it's natural conclusion and decided to pack up. It was a very interesting night and I, for one, would definitely like to go back again to investigate!!
Scary
The fort looks very scary.
I wouldn't go down any tunnels there.
Tunnels
They were fantastically pitch black when the torches were switched off although they were quite eerie even with the lights on............