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View Full Version : Chestergate Air-raid Shelter, Stockport - April 2010



crippletron 3000
08-04-2010, 07:58 PM
Visited by Ojay.

The Chestergate shelter is one of only 3 remaining in Stockport out of the original 5. It was extended during the war and could hold 4,500 people. The majority of the tunnels run under and around St Petersgate.

These deep tunnels were used as air-raid shelters during the war and were constructed between 1938 and 1939. They have been cut through and into the red sandstone to which Stockport is built on, just the same as Manchester itself and between them could house in excess of 8,000 people during world war two.

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/chestergate.jpg

Having already visited Dodgehill & Brinksway air raid shelters many times I decided to finally pay a visit to Chestergate to complete the set.

Now obviously part of this place is open to the public on a daily basis, but although interesting to see how they once were I wanted to take a look at the other remaining sections. Unfortunately these aren't easily accessible and are mainly used for the emergency services these days for drills etc.

However on the 1st Wednesday of the month they do allow small groups of people in of an evening for a few hours to take a look around, here you get to see the other bits, so off I went.

These sections of tunnels aren't as trashed as the other air raid shelters, however it is very humid and like the others pitch black as there is no lighting in either.

Into the un-lit extra bits

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_10145962_stitch.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_1014607_stitch.jpg

Some of the many rows of bunk beds

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_10146292_stitch.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_1014648.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_1014649.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_1014674_stitch.jpg

WW2 Graff

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_1014647_stitch.jpg

Gents toilets

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_1014654_stitch.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_10146182_stitch.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_1014620.jpg

Ladies toilets

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_1014678_stitch.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_1014695_stitch.jpg

Outta here

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/ojay1234/CHESTERGATE/_1014626_stitch.jpg

Thanks for looking :)

evilnoodle
08-04-2010, 08:10 PM
How claustrophobic would that be when full of people :eek:

boxfrenzy
08-04-2010, 08:45 PM
Good stuff mate, it is nice to see this one. After doing the other two, seeing a non trashed version is great. :thumb

ubinam1206
08-04-2010, 10:56 PM
Amazing shots. makes wigan bunkers look like the squatters have been in. Oh hold on they have :laugh
It must of been nice to walk around and not stand on calsberg cans.

crippletron 3000
08-04-2010, 11:00 PM
Amazing shots. makes wigan bunkers look like the squatters have been in. Oh hold on they have :laugh
It must of been nice to walk around and not stand on calsberg cans.

Indeed it was, good to see as well ;)

BB
09-04-2010, 12:14 AM
Very nice!
Nice set of pics :thumb

Goldie87
09-04-2010, 12:21 AM
That looks great, nice pics :)

Herbivore
12-04-2010, 10:16 PM
Fantastic! :thumb

minxy*
13-04-2010, 09:07 AM
Brilliant stuff :thumb

ceejam
13-04-2010, 12:55 PM
Totally loving that place, Well done :thumb:thumb