Chestergate Air Raid Shelter
Click To Expand
Chestergate Air Raid Shelters where constructed between 1938-1939 during WWII. Cut into the soft sandstone rock which is visible all round Stockport, the shelters where capable of housing upto 4000 people in the event of a German air attack.
The shelters had electric lighting, bunk beds and plumbing as well as a first aid section, wardens shelter and tool shelter.
Chestergate shelters where part of 6 other shelters built for the borough. Now only Dodge Hill and Brinksway still remain. These still being in there original condition.
After WWII Chestergate shelters where sealed. In 2000 Stockport Council decided to restore the shelters to there original glory and open them as one of Stockports historical sites.
After a brief audio visual display you can wander freely around the shelters. There are certain sections that can only be accessed by guided tours though, which take place in the evenings.
Although this isnt really UE. It is worth seeing Chestergate Air Raid Shelters on the basis that they have been restored to their original conditions. Something which doesnt usually happen to Air Raid Shelters.
We researched in depth, the other air raid shelters in Stockport. Visiting the local library as well as sifting through old newspaper clippings and maps of the era. In search of the remaining shelters.
Brinksway and Dodge Hill are the only ones that still remain now and have changed very little since WWII. The lost shelters are them of Portwood or Rock Hole as it was known locally. Heaton Park and the Stewart St. Shelters. Sadly these were filled in and demolished when the M60 Motorway was being built.
Chestergate is unique in the fact that no exspense has been spared on restoring them. Right down to period posters of the time and furniture.
Once you have seen Dodge Hill and Brinksway air raid shelters you can see how much effort has been put into restoring Chestergate. Although the latter where less equipped than Chestergate was.
Although we have seen the derelict shelters in Stockport we felt we had to see Chestergate to actually see what these places looked like during War time conditions. It doesnt fail to impress either and definatley justified the visit.
