Though I was born 10 years after the end of World War Two, I have an enduring childhood memory of clambering around a disused air raid shelter. It was reached, after negotiating clumps of stinging nettles, in an area we called the dump, near where we lived. Inside, it was pitch black and cavernous, with several underground chambers. My intrepid pals and I would explore without the benefit of a light - not even a match.
These days, it would be securely cordoned off, but not then.
Those memories came flooding back when I took a tour of one of the largest public wartime shelters in the country. I'm not referring to a bunker in a city centre but a network of caves in deepest Kent. Chislehurst Caves (020 8467 3264, chislehurst-caves. co.uk) were quickly (and unofficially) used as a shelter when the bombing of London started in 1940. Soon, people thronged there by the thousands each evening. The caverns grew into an underground city of sorts.
I joined one of the regular guided tours. Our small group was shown bunk beds of the sort used by sheltering families. Areas set up as a chapel, canteen, first aid station, lavatories - even a bank, post office and dentist surgery - were pointed out by our guide, Darren. Most of the vast labyrinth is unlit, so we were handed paraffin-burning hurricane lamps. Their flickering flames cast strange shadows on the walls, some of which are decorated with elaborate carvings.
The caves aren't a natural feature but entirely man-made. Technically, they are mines as they were hacked out of the ground by Romans, Saxons and their successors. Men dug for chalk and flint. During World War One, the space provided a ready-made ammunition depot.
Later, in the 1920s and 30s, the caves housed a mushroom farm and rhubarb grew well, too. I could feel the temperature dropping as we trekked deeper into the void. We could see our breath.
Esta historia es de la edición November 2024 de Best of British.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 2024 de Best of British.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
It's a Lottery
Claire Saul celebrates 30 years of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which supports heritage projects across the United Kingdom
In Memoriam
Michael Foley pays his respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice
Leader of the Pack
Paul Williams examines the history of War Horse
French Fancies
Alain Carraze explains how cult British shows are perceived as the best on television in France
Redheads & Rollers
Simon Stabler talks to Crossroads' Tony Adams
Bringing Memories Back to Life
Richard Haines on the importance of making the most of your vintage photographs
POSTCARD FROM KENT
Bob Barton investigates a network of caves, takes a ride on a thriving heritage railway, and marvels at the beauty of the garden of England
Laughter in the Air
Chris Hallam remembers writer, television presenter and comedian Barry Took
My Good Old Days
Tim Quinn takes us behind the scenes of Leeds City Varieties
The Battersea Bardot
David Barnes remembers the star of Cathy Come Home