Downs Junior Presents Take Shelter

Step back in time and join us as we open up the air raid shelter for Heritage Open Days 2024.

Timed tours of the underground air raid shelter will be running between 1000-1500. Each tour last up to 45 minutes and we recommend that you pre-book your tickets to avoid disappointment. While at Take Shelter you can also find out more about wartime Brighton in our dedicated museum and chat to our veterans who were all children during the war. Hot and cold refreshments and snacks and the opportunity to take home a souvenir from the Take Shelter gift shop will be available.

Built-in 1939, the shelter was used throughout the war to protect up to 300 pupils and staff during the school day and then was used by the local community after hours. After the war, the shelter was sealed up, the original entrances were built over as the school expanded in the post-war years, and it was forgotten about until it was rediscovered by accident during a routine drain inspection in 1983. Poor access, environmental conditions and resources meant the shelter lay dormant until 2012, when a team of volunteers led by the School’ Premises Manager began to clean and restore the shelter. Since then, they have created an interactive museum that recreates wartime dioramas, short films, and sound effects. Today we welcome over 3,000 visitors a year, including more than 1,000 school pupils.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 07 September:

1000-1500

Sunday 08 September:

1000-1500

Location & directions

Rugby Road, Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, BN1 6ED

Directions:

How to get to Take Shelter Access to the event is via the school gate on Ditchling Road By foot: From the south - 15 minute walk from the Level area / From the north - 10 minute walk from the Fiveways area By car: There is pay and display parking available on the adjacent roads. Please allow time to find a space and arrange payment. By bus: Numbers 26, 46 & 50 stop at Rugby Road which is a short distance from the school gate. By train: Downs Junior School is 10 minutes walk from London Road Station.

Contact on day:

Michael Button

Telephone number:

+447515274376

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions:

Pre-booking is preferred, but not essential. By pre-booking you guarantee you space on a tour at a particular time.

Booking contact name:

Michael Button

Booking telephone number:

+447515274376

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://buytickets.at/takeshelter/1242755

Booking opens:

03 Jun 2024 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

08 Sep 2024 09:00 AM

Accessibility details

Access to the shelter is via a flight of steps with a double height handrail. Once you are in the shelter, the ground is level throughout with opportunities to sit at regular intervals during your tour. Children including babes in arms are welcome. Museum, tea room and toilets are above ground and wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

Tour of the underground air raid shelter at Downs Junior School, alongside an above ground museum, and tea room.

Max no of people per tour:

10

Est. tour duration:

0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)

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