The Burrow

This location originally opened as a Tube Station in 1907 but due to its location and there being another two stations within close proximity of it the station closed in 1932.

By 1939 the station had been selected to be used as an underground bunker for the Railway Executive Committee. To convert the station into a bunker the platforms were bricked up this allowed the platforms and ventilation passages to be divided into Offices, Meeting Rooms, Dormitories, Kitchen, Mess Rooms, Bath Rooms, Switchboard Room and many others.

The Prime Minister Winston Churchill is also known to have used the bunker during the Blitz as an alternative shelter due to him considering the War Cabinets own shelter known as Paddock unsuitable and the Cabinet War Rooms being structurally strengthened. This was the case over a period of 40 days between October to December 1940. The bunker affectionately being called “The Burrow” by Churchill.

The main function of the bunker was controlling the railways, this enabled the committee to reroute rail traffic should any of the lines be damaged and also enabled them to make sure any damaged lines were repaired or replaced in the shortest time possible. The committee also helped move munitions, men, vehicles etc round the country to assist with the war effort.

After the war had ended the bunker was left largely forgotten only being used for emergency egress and ventilation for the tube line.

These photos are from an official tour as the location is still part of an active tube line and is securely sealed.