As Nazi bombs rained down over Britain during World War Two, councils were rapidly building underground deep shelters for the public to go to in the event of air raids in their areas.
In Guildford, although there were small shelters available as the bombings intensified a much larger shelter was needed as soon as possible.
A disused chalk quarry just outside the town centre seemed a perfect location. Work began to provide a shelter for approximately a 1000 people giving them bunks to sleep in, sanitation and first aid posts.
The shelter closed down in 1944 and was eventually sealed. Only in the last couple of years has the shelter been reopened for the public to see. It is opened once a year for the UK heritage day. I was lucky enough to be allowed a private visit to the shelter to spend as much time as was needed. A big thank you to the key holder...
The shelter is in fantastic condition for it being over 60 years old. Signs are still on the wall, toilets are still in situ and apart from the bunks having gone, it remains exactly how it would have looked during the war.
