Buried WW II air raid shelter in the rear garden of Challenge House but probably formerly belonging to number 20 Chilwell Road (Now Demolished). Excavations in 2010 established that it was built of brick with a thick concrete roof with steps leading down. Was re covered prior to development in the grounds of Challenge House.

The excavation has demonstrated that the structure is indeed an air raid shelter, most probably constructed in the early weeks/months of the 2nd World War. The orientation of the steps to access the shelter would clearly suggest that the shelter was associated with 20 Chilwell Road and not Challenge House. This ties in with the oral histories of people who had spoken to the previous owner of 20 Chilwell Road. It is anticipated that the cellars of Challenge house would have been used by the owners as an air raid shelter in the event of an air raid. (1)

<1> John Goree, 2010, Archaeological Evaluation of a Reputed World War II Air Raid Shelter (Unpublished document). SNT4663.

The excavation has demonstrated that the structure is indeed an air raid shelter, most probably constructed in the early weeks/months of the 2nd World War. The orientation of the steps to access the shelter would clearly suggest that the shelter was associated with 20 Chilwell Road and not Challenge House. This ties in with the oral histories of people who had spoken to the previous owner of 20 Chilwell Road. It is anticipated that the cellars of Challenge house would have been used by the owners as an air raid shelter in the event of an air raid.