Secret tunnelWinds back to city’s past
THERE is a secret tunnel underneath a restaurant that leads all the way to one of Swansea’s busiest streets.
Underneath the Hanson at the Chelsea Restaurant (known as Chelsea Cafe), in St Mary’s Street, you will find a tunnel which will take you all the way to Wind Street.
This secret tunnel has existed for more than 200 years.
Andrew Hanson has owned Chelsea Cafe for 12 years, and believes this tunnel could have been used by smugglers.
He said: “I’ve been told that it was a tunnel for smugglers, I have found this out from historians and various stories.”
It’s unclear how big the tunnel is, due to a wall blocking the pathway towards Wind Street.
“We don’t know how long the tunnel is because it goes all the way around the back and along the road, it’s a quirky little place,” he said. “There are also old wooden lintels on the walls which must be holding a lot of weight.”
However, historian Gerald Gabb doesn’t believe the tunnel was used by smugglers.
“History always shocks you, I would be surprised if the tunnel was used for smugglers,” he said.
“This isn’t the sort of place where you would try and sneak stuff in.
“It could be that these tunnels have something to do with what The Cross Keys used to be, which was St David’s Hospital.”
There will be a history day at Swansea Museum on Saturday from 10am and at the National Waterfront Museum at 2pm.