WW2 Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour: Bristol

ID2592TypeCulture and historyWhereBristol (United Kingdom)Meeting pointOutside the main entrance of the Corn Exchange on Corn Street, BristolDuration1.3 hFormatGroupDifficultyEasy: suitable for children and seniorsGroup sizeup to 25 peopleScheduleWednesday to Friday at 2:30pm, and Saturdays at 2pm and 3:30pmLanguagesEnglish

The excursion

Join Bristol's only subterranean walking tour and explore the city's largest WW2 air raid shelter. The 75-minute Bristol Blitz experience takes you beneath the streets of Bristol's Old Town, giving you exclusive access to one of the city's best-kept secrets: a complete WW2 time capsule hidden underground for more than 85 years. Your tour begins above ground outside the main entrance of the Corn Exchange on Corn Street, in the heart of Bristol's historic Old Town. Your local guide, dressed in full WW2 costume as your personal air raid warden, reveals Blitz damage still visible above the street and describes life in Bristol during the 1940s. You'll see photographs of lost buildings and landmarks before descending into Bristol's biggest and most spectacular air raid shelter, which once protected more than 200 Bristolians and is one of the best-preserved WW2 air raid shelters in the UK. Beneath the city your warden guides you through untouched rooms dating back to the 1940s. You'll see original A.R.P. posters and hand-painted signage, drawings left on the walls during the raids (including one of the Hollywood film star Myrna Loy, who visited the city during the Blitz), the tunnels and catacombs beneath the Old Town, and hear personal stories from Bristolians who lived through the Blitz. During the Swinging 60s the Corn Exchange was also a major music venue, and you'll step into the Shelter Bar on the way. The tour concludes with a 25-minute demonstration of an extensive collection of WW2 artefacts before you re-emerge into the 21st century at St Nicholas Market, with its 67 independent traders and the best street food in town. Prices: Adults £12.50, Children £6.25. Distance: 0.5 miles. Includes steps and stairs, and dark or dimly lit areas.

Bristol's only subterranean walking tour: explore the city's largest WW2 air raid shelter beneath the Old Town with a local guide acting as your personal air raid warden.

Itinerary

Meet your guide/air raid warden in full WW2 costume outside the Corn Exchange
Blitz damage above the street at the end of Corn Street, with images of the buildings lost on the first night of the Bristol Blitz
The Shelter Bar (the Corn Exchange's 1960s music history)
Wartime drawings preserved on the shelter walls
Original signage and official posters untouched since WW2
Tunnels and catacombs beneath the Old Town
25-minute demonstration of WW2 artefacts
Finish at St Nicholas Market

Included

Local guide dressed as a WW2 air raid warden
Access to the WW2 air raid shelter beneath the Corn Exchange
25-minute demonstration of WW2 artefacts

Details

What to wearDress for the weather (the tour begins above street level); sensible shoesCancellationCustomers will receive a full refund or credit with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.What to bringA bottle of water

Organized by: Local companyverified

· ID E-143

View the meeting point on the map ↓

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost?

≈ €15 (£12.50) per person.

How long does it take?

About 1.3 hours.

What is included?

Local guide dressed as a WW2 air raid warden; Access to the WW2 air raid shelter beneath the Corn Exchange; 25-minute demonstration of WW2 artefacts.

Can I cancel?

Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.

What should I bring?

A bottle of water.

Where is the meeting point?

Outside the main entrance of the Corn Exchange on Corn Street, Bristol.

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