Air Raid Shelter Tunnels

This tunnel system originally began as three separate cave systems that were excavated between the 18th and 19th century. They may have been used by smugglers.

These caves were expanded and used as public air raid shelters in WWI.

When WWII began preparations were made for the caves to be enlarged and adapted to become a larger Air Raid Shelter. Army Engineers connected the three caves via a long tunnel to form one large Air Raid Shelter.

This shelter was used by the public but also by the military as a Command HQ and for storage. In total the shelter could accommodate 1596 people.

Many original features remain such as signage, graffiti, toilet/ shower blocks and posters.