Foxenden Quarry Deep Shelter
50 feet below your feet is the Foxenden Quarry Deep Shelter. Built in 1941, the shelter was in response to the threat posed by enemy bombs during the second world war. Built to accommodate 1,000 people it had a first aid post, toilets, beds, an electrical supply, and ventilation. The ventilation shafts are in fact the brick towers that you see.
The entire shelter is 70m long (the distance between the two towers) and is 45m wide – reaching beyond the brick wall on the far side of the tennis courts. Access was originally via doors that are now locked shut and now enclosed by the multi-story car park. The shelter was finally closed in 1945.
From the second brick tower, and with the tennis/ basketball courts on your right, walk ahead to exit Allen House Gardens, and turn left onto Chertsey Street.
As you leave Allen House Gardens, look out for “Medieval Cottage” more or less directly in front of you. Built in phases during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Follow Chertsey Street for about 300m, arriving at the junction where you will see the George Abbot statue. Cross the High Street to stand in front of the building that has 5 white stone pillars, and turn right. George Abbot will now be behind you.
Follow the footpath down North Street. Follow the path down and round to the left past the rear of Abbot’s Hospital, and continue down North Street for about 100m until you arrive at the architectural treat that is the Guildford Library.
Once flanked on both sides by buildings of stylish design and function, North Street was home to the Guildford market after the town decided that people no longer wanted the disruption and dung of the market on the High Street. Carelessly designed buildings now occupy the spaces once graced by a theatre, a church and much more. That’s progress for you.
(The picture above is Somerset House, which would have faced Allen House).
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