The Dark Arch

Tunnel built to conceal coal traffic from Parlington Hall, 1813, for Richard Oliver Gascoigne

MATERIALS: coursed limestone, probably from the estate's own quarries.

DESCRIPTION: the Dark Arch is a tunnel located at roughly the mid-point of Parlington Lane where the lane is sunk out of view of the former site of the hall in a cutting several metres deep. It is approximately 75m long and follows the slight curve of the lane. It is constructed of coursed limestone with segmental-arched portals at each end incorporating plain voussoirs that spring from quoined jambs. The tunnel interior is similarly detailed with limestone 'brick' walls rising up to a segment-arched vaulted ceiling. The tunnel roof incorporates four air grates that still survive. Attached to the tunnel portals on both sides and running north-east for a short distance alongside Parlington Lane and also south-west towards Gamekeeper's Cottage are high limestone walls with rounded copings that form the walls of the cutting. A section of walling to the north-east of the Dark Arch, which originally linked the Dark Arch to the nearby Light Arch has been removed, but some of the footings survive.