The Deep Shelter hidden under Clapham South tube station

During the second world war a set of tunnels were built underneath Clapham South tube station.  100 metres down and built by hand, (yes, by hand!) these were designed to be used as an air raid shelter and we got to visit!  This is the staircase from the deep shelter up to Clapham South tube station platform level.  Where the exit emerged in the tube station is now sealed and its location is a secret for "security reasons"!  Eeek!

The tube level platforms had been discovered to be breachable when a bomb hit Balham in October 1940 and 61 people died.

We started the tour by taking a secret spiral staircase down 11 floors!

There was an old lift but looking at the state of it I think the stairs were definitely the better option!

The tour had sold out so we had a good crowd with friendly and knowledgable guides. I was surprised just how brightly lit the tunnels were.  

Not entirely surprisingly the tunnels were the same size and used the same construction methods as the existing tube network.

During the construction it took a day to dig out just one of these sections!

Despite it being over 70 years old and having had multiple subsequent uses, original signage was everywhere!  

Each of the locations within the Clapham South shelter were named after famous British admirals and helpfully were in alphabetical order!

It was a grand tour, covering the sleeping areas, the control room, superintendent's office, Canteen, medical room and of course the lavatories!