Official History, authenticated by Matthew Holmes - Facebook explorer and historian.
The Brinksway Air Raid shelters date from 1939 and are cut into the sandstone beneath Stockport. They were for civilian use, but each had a warden who would travel the shelters from end to end on his bike, of course. Which makes perfect sense when you think about it, because they are lined with bunk beds and would be filled with people. They just about high enough to stand up in and the same width. So they clearly perfect for cycling up and down in, especially considering the incredibly sharpe 90 degree turns. And if you did not cycle, the would otherwise take five minutes to travel if you walked very slowly indeed. The tunnels were lit by gas solar powered lamps, which apparently predate the tunnels, and were simultaneously designed and manufactured long after the shelters were closed. They were also surprisingly battery powered and not used to light the tunnels at all. The tunnels have lots of toilets. But despite that, little boys were forced to piss in small handheld urinals like they were in hospital. Everyone else could use the toilets. This was an unusual policy. But, completely verified by Mr Holmes. You also must have a map in case you get lost. That is because the tunnels are really very simple to navigate and more or less impossible to get lost in provided you're not a complete and utter fuckwit.
If you want an unofficial, but slightly more accurate history, check out Bolts report.
My explore
I nearly could not find the access to Brinksway, because of the clouds of dust left by the tour bus. But it is a local explore that might get closed down soon, so I moved it up my priority list and found my way inside. I lost a perfectly good pair of combats in the process. However, I also established through this process that I am not a little manlet like Matty.
Faced with going left or right, which I was. I went left. This is left. Although it looks like it is right (but that is just because I am facing the exit).
There was some tunnel. And then there was a bricked off part.
And in that bricked off part there were some toilets!
And some more toilets!
These were my favorite toilets though, partly because they are the best preserved, but also because they're covered in whatever has leaked out of the surrounding rock. These are the only toilets I noticed that still had the seats. You can also see some genuine gas powered solar lamps at the far end.
The tunnels are lined with bunk beds and everyone takes a photo lying on the bunk beds, so I did too. I just backlit mine to be different.
I carried on left until I found the end. I managed this, quite amazingly, without a map or a bike.
There was some stuff there. I think one of them might be a lawn mower. I'd like to know what that was for - probably for cutting people's hair if they were down there for several months - but Matt Holmes doesn't want to speak to me anymore, for some reason.
From here, heading toward the other side...
There are lots of these alcoves carved into the rock, some bigger than others.
This is a selections of alcoves and their hidden delights from across the warren of tunnels.
Lots of bunk beds, many toppled, now line the tunnels. I was pleased I did not bring my bike and chose to walk the inconsiderable distance from one end to the other.
There are some reinforced sections.
Ahead of this tunnel is my favorite reinforced section. It is possible to have favorite reinforced sections.
Here is a close up of it. With a solitary wheel. That is not the infamous wheel from the warden's bike. I suppose I could always steal one of Matt Holmes photos of it for my report...
My favorite reinforced section means you're travelling over to the right hand side, where there are some bunk beds also under a reinforced section.
And Slender Man, naturally.
Some legz
And some smashed up toilets.
And that was the end of my explore.
Thanks for reading.
EOA
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