13 Chenies St, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7EY
Nestled away on Chenies Street, amidst the bustling heart of Bloomsbury, lies a building that defies convention. Despite its inconspicuous appearance, this structure bears the unmistakable design of the London Underground – a relic of its past incarnation.
Originally constructed in the 1930s as part of the Northern Line expansion, the onset of World War II saw its transformation into a vital wartime asset. The Goodge Street Shelter, as it came to be known, provided refuge for thousands of Londoners during the nightly bombings, boasting a capacity for 12,000 residents.
However, its significance transcended mere shelter. Adjacent to a telephone exchange, the shelter served as a crucial outpost for the Allied forces, acting as a liaison between the British War Office and the Allied HQ. It even witnessed historic meetings between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President Eisenhower during the planning of Operation Overlord.
As London emerged from the shadows of war, the fate of the Goodge Street Shelter took a new turn. Plans to expand the Northern Line were revived, yet eventually abandoned, leading to the closure of the tunnels from the Underground network. Today, the Eisenhower Centre stands as a testament to its storied past, housing a private film storage facility.
Explore the echoes of history at The Eisenhower Centre, where the legacy of wartime resilience and Allied cooperation lives on.
Discover more about this historic site: https://www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/goodge-st-deep-shelter/
