Report - Dodge Hill air raid shelters - Stockport - October 23

[MK83]

We've wanted to have a look at these for a while so when we noticed they were open we had to have a look.

Four sets of underground air raid shelter tunnels for civilian use were dug into the red sandstone rock below Stockport town centre. Preparation started in September 1938 and the first set of shelters was opened on 28 October 1939; Stockport was not bombed until 11 October 1940. The smallest of the tunnel shelters could accommodate 2,000 people and the largest 3,850. It was subsequently expanded to take up to 6,500 people.
The Dodge Hill shelter had a capacity for around 2,000 people. In 1948, the shelters were sealed off from the public.

Access to these is a bit of climb and crawl but pretty easy. Like all air raid shelters it's very samey but the fact that the tunnels are carved directly from the sandstone gives them a bit of a unique feel.

Thanks for looking.

 

[Berserker]

Looks like a fun one. Love a good tunnel pic.

 

[jezzyboo]

That staircase shot is mint , i have been on the public tour of this place it was very interesting . Well done on getting inside

 

[MK83]

That staircase shot is mint , i have been on the public tour of this place it was very interesting . Well done on getting inside

Cheers, We've tried this and failed before so glad to have finally ticked it off.

 

[dansgas1000]

Nice photos, you've been posting some great stuff lately

 

[MK83]

Nice photos, you've been posting some great stuff lately

Thanks mate, we were pleased with the shots.

 

[paulpowers]

That staircase shot is mint , i have been on the public tour of this place it was very interesting . Well done on getting inside

There's no public tours of this

 

[Bikin Glynn]

Nicely taken, I believe they have been open for few years, unless they were sealed & reopened. Someone went to a lot of trouble getting in em.for sure

 

[Calamity Jane]

Good set of tunnels there. Always a welcome sight to see the bed frames and toilets. Nice one

 

[MK83]

Nicely taken, I believe they have been open for few years, unless they were sealed & reopened. Someone went to a lot of trouble getting in em.for sure

Cheers. They were sealed the last time we attempted them as we arrived as the bloke from the council was concreting them up but that was a couple of years ago. Haven't been back since until we noticed them crop up again recently and decided to have another go.

 

[MK83]

Good set of tunnels there. Always a welcome sight to see the bed frames and toilets. Nice one

Thanks. It's mad that people slept on those things, so rickety and cramped.

 

[Bikin Glynn]

Cheers. They were sealed the last time we attempted them as we arrived as the bloke from the council was concreting them up but that was a couple of years ago. Haven't been back since until we noticed them crop up again recently and decided to have another go.

Can't remember when I went but metal plate had been gas cut & concrete chiseled through, crazy amount of work

 

[host]

Nice to them again. Last time I went the entrance has a massive slab of concrete put their.

 

[didiclimbit]

Are these still doable?
Supposedly been turned into a museum
Link to museum site

 

[FreshFingers]

The linked site is for Chestergate AR shelters. Dodge certainly doesn't suit being turned into a museum piece due to access.