Mother Red Cap's Smuggler's tunnels, Red Nose and Yellow Nose

I remember my Grandad telling me stories when I was young about smuggler's tunnels that were inter connected running under the palace amusements to mother redcaps in Egremont. There was also tunnels that led into the sandstone out crops on the dips known as yellow nose. This today is fenced off and has a mini golf and bowling green imediatley in front of the sandstone cliff face. The entrances to the tunnels and caves have long been blocked off. However he also mentioned that a house still stood on Wellington drive that had a private access tunnel to the network of caves and tunnels under the house itself and the sandstone cliff known as Yellow nose. Supposedly the owner of the house would allow the general public access one or twice a year.

Unfortunatley my Grandad has passed so I can't ask him anything further.

It's only now at 25 have I given it any thought since visiting recently with my girlfriend.

It was as I wandering about last weekend that all these memories came flooding back. It's now got me quite intrigued.

I have done a bit of digging about since being back in New Brighton on the tinternet and there seems to be slot of historical fact that these runnels do exist.

I also discovered that access does exist through the back gardens of a particular villa known as Rock Villa.

A friend who also lives local has confirmed that the house opens to the public to allow visitors to explore the tunnels in aid of charity.

This has also been confirmed by another friend that has been in the tunnels on a school trip in the 80's.

Does anyone know if access can still be gained?

There were apparantly a few ways to access the tunnels but they have all been bricked up.

If anyone knows anything on the above please feel free to comment

cheers