STOCKPORT AIR RAID SHELTERS RE-OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Stockport Air Raid Shelters will officially re-open on Friday 28^th June after extensive refurbishment and essential maintenance.

The Shelters – carved into the natural sandstone cliffs in Stockport town centre – were the largest purpose-built civilian air raid shelters in the country, with capacity for over 6,000 people.

From Saturday 29th June visitors will be able to enjoy a much-enhanced experience including an audio guide, new information panels, and authentic room settings revealing the extent of Stockport’s air raid preparations and providing a real flavour of what life on the home front was like. There’s also a themed shop stocking a range of gifts, toys and mementoes from the era. 

Councillor Iain Roberts, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said:

“Stockport Air Raid Shelters is one of the most unusual and poignant visitor experiences in the country, offering an unparalleled insight into life on the home front.  This is a museum I recommend that everyone visits to learn about a very important chapter in the history of our town and our country.”

Stockport Air Raid Shelters is open Tuesday-Friday 1pm-5pm, Saturdays 10am-5pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am-5pm.  Admission which includes the brand new audio guide is: Adults £4.45, Concessions and under 16s £3.25, Leisure Key and Under 5s are free.

In addition to the normal opening hours, the shelters offer out of hours Explorer Tours every month. On these exciting tours, visitors are kitted out with hard hats and torches to explore parts of the tunnels not normally open to the public.

The launch coincides with national Armed Forces Day (29^th June) marking the immense contribution made by those serving in the Armed Forces.

For more information please call 0161 474 1940 or visit www.stockport.gov.uk/airraidshelters  You can also follow us on Twitter #SMBC_Museums and Facebook /Stockport Museums.