Clifford Road Tunnels
Second World War air raid shelter tunnels beneath a primary school playground in Ipswich, open on selected weekends from April to October.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Three networks of air raid shelter tunnels lie beneath the playground of Clifford Road Primary School in Ipswich. They were built in 1939, at the start of the Second World War, to protect the school and the local community from bombing and blast. The shelters could hold up to 200 people at a time.
After the war the tunnels were no longer needed and were left undisturbed. For years people assumed they had been filled in, possibly when the playground was resurfaced in 1965. In 1989 one of the shelters was uncovered and a heritage site was created, which volunteers have run for more than thirty years.
Visitors go down narrow steps into the tunnels, where displays cover wartime life such as rationing and military activity, and one section recreates the conditions of an air raid with dim lighting, wooden benches and the sound of raids outside. A welcome room above the tunnels shows more artefacts. The site was formerly known as the Clifford Road Air Raid Shelter Museum, and further tunnels have recently been found that may be added to the visit in future.
Highlights
- Second World War shelter tunnels under a school playground
- Recreated air raid shelter with benches, dim lighting and sound
- Displays on rationing and wartime home front life
- Welcome room with artefacts and homemade cake
Permanent exhibitions
- Second World War shelter tunnels – Three tunnel networks built in 1939 beneath the school playground, with displays on wartime life and a recreated air raid shelter.
- Welcome room artefacts – A room above the tunnel entrance with artefacts and refreshments, which is accessible to visitors who cannot use the steps.
- Founded
- 1989
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £4Concessions |
| Children & teens | £2.50free up to age 4 · Under-5s enter free. |
| Families | £12Two adults and up to three children |
2026 prices. Cash and card are accepted.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The tunnels cannot be used by wheelchair users or visitors with mobility problems because of the steep, narrow steps and the uneven floor. The welcome room above the tunnels, with artefacts and refreshments, can still be visited.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £12 · Two adults and up to three children |
Under-5s enter free and a family ticket is available.
Getting there & parking
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no parking at the school or heritage site. Visitors can park on the roads next to the school.
The entrance is through the gates on Tennyson Road at the rear of the main school building; follow the signs to the Hub, where tickets are sold.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Hot drinks, refreshments and homemade cakes are on sale on public opening days.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Schools can book a full-day visit all year in term time, with an educational room as a base, lunch options and access to the tunnels and artefacts. A pre-visit tour can be arranged. Volunteers show visitors around. |
