Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Clapham South Subterranean Shelter
Description
Explore this vast and unique subterranean space beneath Clapham South station where thousands sheltered during the Second World War. Expert guides will take you 30 metres under ground to the warren of tunnels where you can experience life as a wartime shelterer did over 80 years ago.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Step back in time and tour of one of the eight deep level shelters built in London during the Second World War. Opened in 1944, this secret underground maze was designed to protect over 8,000 people, featuring canteens, medical stations, and sleeping quarters all hidden beneath London’s streets. Discover this fascinating history with two expert guides, including one portraying a 1940s warden to share a first hand account of what it was like to work and shelter there during the war. Retrace the footsteps of wartime South Londoners spending their first night there, get a sense of what the space looked and felt like 80 years ago thanks to meticulously recreated spaces such as the warden’s booth and canteen.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not suitable for children under 10 years old
- There is a maximum of four children (aged 10-15 yrs) allowed per adult
- All guests must bring photo ID
- Open-toed shoes are not allowed
- Please do not bring luggage or large bags - there is no cloakroom
- The tour involves a lot of walking, including areas of uneven ground and low lighting
- Tours are not suitable for guests with claustrophobia
- Tours are not step free and including walking up and down flights of stairs
- There's no elevator
- No food or drinks allowed on the tour
Reviews(36)
What a great trip really interesting and would highly recommend
Really good trip . Guides there on time and very friendly and knowledgeable. Tour fabulous and interesting. Highly recommended .
We went as part of ny husband's birthday weekend celebrated in London Very informative and the staff were very enthusiastic playing their roles
Fantastic tour, excellent guides and really well organised. Amazing to have the chance to see the tunnels, which are far more extensive than we imagined. The guides were also kind enough to recognise the visually impaired member of our group and helped them to handle certain objects, taking time to explain and make it as accessible as possible. Highly recommended!
A brilliant experience from beginning to end. I will definitely be booking another tour in the future. The hour and a half flew by as we were shown around the shelter by our knowledgeable guide and two energetic & enthusiastic members of staff in character. The group was small which allowed you to see and hear everything and the use of lighting, screens and recordings really brought the history of the shelter to.life. If you want a memorable, unique & interactive trip back to WW2 London then this is for you.
Brilliant. Loved it. Fascinating history and a story really well told. Recommend it!
Really enjoyed the tour which was cleverly mixed the way it was presented
A great insight into wartime and London Underground history. The guides were creative, informative and friendly. Learned a great deal and enjoyed the flow of the tour. Two words of warning, the 180 steps down and up and the very cool temperatures during parts of the experience. Highly recommended!
The best yet. This is our third hidden London tour and they’ve all been interesting and enlightening but to experience such an important part of our history and relive what so many of our parents generation would have lived through was a privilege. The enactment was brilliant with our own air raid warden,, so authentic, brilliant, the best yet. Which one to book next!
A fascinating glimpse of what lies beneath the streets of Clapham. The thought that 8000 people were able to sleep in these tunnels during bombing in World War Two is a real revelation. An engineering feat. Be aware it’s accessed via a spiral staircase of 180 steps. You have to walk the same back to street level. Paul, the guide was very informative and efficient. There is an actor/volunteer?playing the role of a Civil Defence Warden in uniform in the tunnels. He gave us lots more information too. A very worthwhile experience. Highly recommend for history lovers.
