Another report i been sitting on for a few months,Visited over a few days in August with different forum members, some very late nights were had here and stupid o'clock home returns. The thing that kept getting me every 10 minutes was the crossing of the tube trains above as this is literally below a tube station when i got used to that it was a pretty good explore in very good condition as such and plenty of signage to see 
History courtesy of Subbrit
Clapham South deep level shelter was one of 8 shelters constructed in response to the 1940 bombings. Each shelter comprised of two parallel tubes 16 foot 6 inches internal diameter and 1,600 feet long and were situated below existing London Underground station tunnels. Each tube had two decks, fully equipped with bunks, medical posts, kitchens and sanitation and each installation could accommodate 9,600 people.
All the deep level shelters were sub-divided into sleeping areas. Each section was given a name, at Clapham South they were named ofter naval commanders as can be seen on the signage. The shelter was completed in 1942 and used as weekend troop accommodation from 1943. The start of the attacks on London by V1 flying bombs (commonly known as ‘doodlebugs’) in June 1944, followed by the V2 rocket campaign in September that year, caused many of the deep shelters to be made fully available to the public; Clapham South opened on 19 July 1944. The south entrance, next door to what was the Odeon cinema, was in a small compound that housed administrative offices and ticket printing presses for all eight deep shelters. There were 7.952 bunks in total and each bunk was allocated to a named person. The shelters were only used for their original purpose for less than a year. Clapham South closed completely on 7 May 1945 and from June 1945 it found a new use as a military leave hostel
At the end of the war, London had a severe labour shortage so the Colonial Office recruited immigrants from Britain’s colonies. The ship MV Empire Windrush arrived in Tilbury later in 1948 carrying 492 worker migrants from Jamaica. However, as there was no accommodation for the new arrivals the Colonial Office decided to house them in the deep-level shelter at Clapham South. The nearest labour exchange to Clapham South was on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton so the men sought jobs there. The new arrivals didn't stay for long as they all quickly found jobs and accommodation, and successfully integrated into many parts of south London. The deep-level shelter at Clapham South is therefore celebrated not only for its role in protecting Londoners from the worst excesses of the Blitz but also its fascinating and positive contribution towards helping make London one of the most culturally, socially and economically diverse places in the United Kingdom.
In the mid 2000s London Transport decided to sell the south Grade II listed circular entrance building at Clapham South which had once housed the administrative offices and ticket printing works. Recall Total Information Management, who still occupied the shelter were given an option to buy the land but turned it down so their lease was not renewed. The land was put on the open market but remained unsold for a number of years until it was finally sold in 2010. Planning permission was granted on 25 January 2011 for the construction of an eight storey building which now straddles the listed entrance building, providing a total of 62 residential units. The planning permission allowed for the demolition of the other surface buildings.
In 2011 the north entrance building, on the corner of the common opposite Clapham South station was stripped back to bare concrete as part of an ongoing scheme by Lambeth Council to manage and improve the common.
On To Some Pictures
Cheers for looking people
Now its time to G.T.F.O
History courtesy of Subbrit
Clapham South deep level shelter was one of 8 shelters constructed in response to the 1940 bombings. Each shelter comprised of two parallel tubes 16 foot 6 inches internal diameter and 1,600 feet long and were situated below existing London Underground station tunnels. Each tube had two decks, fully equipped with bunks, medical posts, kitchens and sanitation and each installation could accommodate 9,600 people.
All the deep level shelters were sub-divided into sleeping areas. Each section was given a name, at Clapham South they were named ofter naval commanders as can be seen on the signage. The shelter was completed in 1942 and used as weekend troop accommodation from 1943. The start of the attacks on London by V1 flying bombs (commonly known as ‘doodlebugs’) in June 1944, followed by the V2 rocket campaign in September that year, caused many of the deep shelters to be made fully available to the public; Clapham South opened on 19 July 1944. The south entrance, next door to what was the Odeon cinema, was in a small compound that housed administrative offices and ticket printing presses for all eight deep shelters. There were 7.952 bunks in total and each bunk was allocated to a named person. The shelters were only used for their original purpose for less than a year. Clapham South closed completely on 7 May 1945 and from June 1945 it found a new use as a military leave hostel
At the end of the war, London had a severe labour shortage so the Colonial Office recruited immigrants from Britain’s colonies. The ship MV Empire Windrush arrived in Tilbury later in 1948 carrying 492 worker migrants from Jamaica. However, as there was no accommodation for the new arrivals the Colonial Office decided to house them in the deep-level shelter at Clapham South. The nearest labour exchange to Clapham South was on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton so the men sought jobs there. The new arrivals didn't stay for long as they all quickly found jobs and accommodation, and successfully integrated into many parts of south London. The deep-level shelter at Clapham South is therefore celebrated not only for its role in protecting Londoners from the worst excesses of the Blitz but also its fascinating and positive contribution towards helping make London one of the most culturally, socially and economically diverse places in the United Kingdom.
In the mid 2000s London Transport decided to sell the south Grade II listed circular entrance building at Clapham South which had once housed the administrative offices and ticket printing works. Recall Total Information Management, who still occupied the shelter were given an option to buy the land but turned it down so their lease was not renewed. The land was put on the open market but remained unsold for a number of years until it was finally sold in 2010. Planning permission was granted on 25 January 2011 for the construction of an eight storey building which now straddles the listed entrance building, providing a total of 62 residential units. The planning permission allowed for the demolition of the other surface buildings.
In 2011 the north entrance building, on the corner of the common opposite Clapham South station was stripped back to bare concrete as part of an ongoing scheme by Lambeth Council to manage and improve the common.
On To Some Pictures
Cheers for looking people
Now its time to G.T.F.O
