Downs Junior - Take Shelter

It’s almost May, which means the Brighton Fringe Festival is about to kick off, and one of the more unique historical offerings returning is the Downs Junior - Take Shelter event. If you’re looking for something beyond the usual comedy and theatre lineup, this is a chance to step back in time and explore a really unique piece of local history.

The event centers around the air raid shelter at Downs Junior School on Rugby Road. This isn't just any old bunker; it’s noted as one of the few surviving examples of a school shelter in the entire UK, offering a genuine look at what life was like for children in Brighton during the war. The tours are running as part of the Fringe starting May 1st, 2026, but the shelter also participates in the Heritage Open Days in September and holds monthly open days throughout the year, typically on a Sunday. While the event is perfect for history enthusiasts, it’s also listed as very family-friendly.

The core experience is a guided tour of the shelter, which lasts about 40 minutes. Expert guides walk you through the space, and you get to see various exhibitions, films, and audio clips covering topics like evacuation, rationing, air raids, and the general atmosphere of wartime Brighton. After the tour, the experience continues upstairs. You can explore a dedicated WWII museum, listen to vintage sounds, and, perhaps most interestingly, chat with veterans about their own childhood experiences during the war.

If you need a break after soaking up all that history, they have Mrs Button's Tea Room on site for a cup of tea and a snack, plus a small souvenir shop. Since the tours are ticketed and popular, especially during the Fringe, you do need to book your spot in advance. All reservations must be made through their website (takeshelter.org.uk). It’s a great way to discover a unique, tangible piece of the city's past right in the middle of the festival buzz.