This deep shelter was constructed in approx 1942 and supported the now demolished 6" battery at Fan Bay. Due to the difficult entry the interior is in very good condition and is extensive with lined and unlined sections and evidence of the original light fittings etc.
This was developed as a public air raid shelter and was designated No4 shelter. It does not seem to have seen a lot of wartime use (due in part to its location). After the war in 1949 it was used by a firm of lens manufacturers called Cox, Hargreaves & Thomson Ltd who finally left the site in the 1970's. It was then used as a car repair? facility and general dumping ground until it was finally sealed in the late 1980's. Due to its constant use since WW2 very little of the original features remain, except some of the internal steel blast doors.
These hideouts were started in 1940 and in total there were 28 in Kent alone. They were disbanded in 1944, when the hideouts were supposed to have been destroyed by the Royal Engineers. Although secret at the time a number of the locations are known and some have survived intact.
Constructed as part of the Surrey deep shelter program in 1937, the shelter is approx 17,000 sq ft in area and could accomodate 1000 plus people. Again it does not seem to have much WW2 use and was purchased in the 1990's as a derelict 3 acre site. Currently leased to an airsoft games company and in very good dry condition.
At present this is 'work in progress' the plan clearly shows a public shelter at Walmer which was described as unlined but excavated. Location photographs only at present.
Sited near the railway station, this is a reinforced concrete shelter with protected entrance and a blast wall protected emergency exit. Its exact use is unknown but may have been used by railway or station staff.
Started as a lime burning business in 1811 this mine is a multi level extensive system. The business ceased in 1914 due in part by the concerns of local villagers mindfull of the potential for collpase of their properties. Then became a local folly, during WW2 the local homeguard used one long gallery as a rifle range. The mine was opened to the public as a attraction for a short time but is now in private ownership.
Also known as Dumpy B, exact use not readily documented but possible Reserve Command H.Q. for Dover Castle or used as a reserve by Swingate Communication system. Larger and better constructed than most with elaborate ventilation systems, originally sealed until 1979.
Much has already been written on this site, but here is a potted history. Constructed 40' below the existing GPO research facility between 1939 and 1940. Designed as a emergency auxiliary H.Q. code named Paddock (CWR2) for use by Churchill and the war cabinet. Closed in 1944 and used partly by the GPO until 1976 when locked down. Reopened on two days a year as part of an agreement with the housing association who built on the site above. The site is now very damp but was under 18" of water due to ingress from above ground. The photographs start with the upper floor.
Not much is documented about this site. It is located in a small quarry on private land. And consists of three entrance passages with a number of branch and side passages cut directly into the chalk. The three main passages were enlarged and brick reinforced where they pass under the lane above. This was carried out during WW2, and it is thought that these were used as air raid shelters for locals inhabitants with the sites proximity to Manston airfield.
