WW2 Air raid shelter tour - Downs School Brighton 2024

The Downs School air raid shelter on Rugby Road in Brighton:
Construction and Purpose:
Back in the summer of 1939, as World War II loomed, they rolled up their sleeves and built this shelter by hand.
Imagine a network of tunnels made from pre-cast concrete panels, tucked about three meters below the school playground.
During the day, it was like a bustling underground hub, accommodating up to 300 students and staff. At night, it transformed into a community safe haven.
Lost and Rediscovered:
After the war, the shelter got sealed up and faded into obscurity. Forgotten, but not gone!
Then, in 1983, during a routine drain inspection (of all things!), they stumbled upon it again. Surprise, surprise!
Take Shelter Museum:
Fast-forward to today. The shelter isn’t just a relic; it’s a living piece of history.
You’ll find it beneath the playground at Downs Junior School.
They’ve turned it into the Take Shelter Museum, where you can step back in time.
Explore the tunnels, soak up stories from Brighton’s wartime heroes, and feel the echoes of the past.
Fun fact: It’s the only public shelter of its kind in the south of England.
So, next time you’re in the area, channel your inner time traveler and check it out! 🌟