A set of 1930s residential flats near Mortlake station includes a brick building that serves as the entrance to an underground air-raid shelter. The shelter was built by excavating the lawn in front of the flats, with excavated soil likely piled to add protection, leaving a surrounding wall and deep hedge. The entrance is usually locked, but a local heritage charity can unlock it and open the bunker for tours on limited occasions. The shelter is a damp, long concrete structure divided into rooms with basic facilities, intended to help neighbours stay calm during bombings. The next tour is scheduled for Tuesday 15th June at 11:15am, with tickets costing £10.65. The shelter is a 5–10 minute walk from Mortlake station via Sheen Lane, St Leonards Road, and Palmers Road.
"On a side street not far from Mortlake station is a set of 1930s residential flats, and in front a curious brick building - the entrance to an underground air-raid shelter. To build the shelter, the lawn in front of the flats was excavated, and it seems likely that the excavated soil was then piled on top to create additional protection, as there's a wall and a deep hedge running around the site today."
"While usually locked, the local heritage charity can unlock the door and open the bunker for tours on a few occasions. It's a dank long concrete box split into rooms and some very basic facilities - and this is where neighbours would have tried to keep calm as the sound and shudder of bombs could be heard above."
"Tours don't happen that often as the air-raid shelter sits in a residential estate and the next tour of the St. Leonards Court Air Raid Shelter will take place on Tuesday 15th June at 11:15am. Tickets cost £10.65 and can be booked here."
"Getting to the St. Leonards Court Air Raid Shelter It's about a 5-10 minute walk from Mortlake station (SWR trains). The easiest route is to leave the station and head south along Sheen Lane, and then turn right onto St Leonards Road. Then turn right again onto Palmers Road, and the bunker will be easy to see at the end."
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