(Previously known as 'Clifford Road Air Raid Shelter Museum')

Underneath the playground at Clifford Road Primary School there are three WWII tunnel networks waiting to be explored!

They were constructed at the beginning of World War Two (in 1939) and were used to protect the school and local community from bombing and blast damage. Once the war was over, the tunnels were no longer required but remained undisturbed. With very little information about the shelters, their construction or decommission, for many years it was assumed that the tunnels had been filled in, possibly when the playground was resurfaced in 1965. This assumption was wrong!

In 1989, one of the shelters was uncovered and our heritage site was created. Since then, the site has been a valuable part of our local history and definitely worth a visit!

Volunteer Opportunities

We are looking to increase our team of enthusiastic volunteers at the Clifford Road Tunnels, located under the playground at Clifford Road Primary School in Ipswich.
Our Heritage Site (previously known as Clifford Road Air Raid Shelter Museum) has been open to the public for over 30 years, through the dedication of a group of wonderful volunteers. We are now looking to increase our team and are keen to share our fantastic heritage with the public. Can you help us to do this?

Our site is open to the public on Saturdays during the spring and summer season. In the past, we opened one Saturday a month from April to October. We are hoping to increase the opportunity to the public by opening more frequently but require a dedicated team of volunteers to make this happen.

Other shelter tunnels have recently been discovered under the playground, left untouched for 80 years! We hope to develop our experience to incorporate these into our heritage experience.
We aim to bring the history under the playground to a wider, inclusive audience! The opportunities to explore a hidden world and be part of an amazing team of volunteers is on offer. We would welcome more volunteers to join our team and enable us to bring this amazing heritage resource to life.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Work alongside others as part of an enthusiastic team of volunteers to run and maintain The Clifford Road Tunnels and artefacts.

Help visitors with tours of the tunnels, ‘front of house’ duties (such as ticket sales) and general maintenance around the site.

Be involved in preservation, display and presentation of our artefacts and exhibits.

Get stuck in with special events, themed days and other enrichment possibilities!

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Have an interest in heritage and structures of the past!

To be able to share knowledge and information with visitors.

Have good interpersonal skills and an ability to work as part of a team.

To be approachable , friendly and confident to talk to visitors.

To be able to be flexible with tasks to undertake.

Have an interest in aspects of the Second World War, the Home Front and Ipswich history.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE GAINED
Develop your teamwork and communication skills and understanding of volunteering within the world of heritage.

Gain a greater knowledge of Ipswich’s wartime experience.

To have the opportunity to be part of a developing historical experience and share ideas to improve this experience.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Help visitors with tours of the tunnels
• Be involved in preservation, display and presentation of our artefacts and exhibits
• Support with ticket sales at welcome desk
• General maintanance, cleaning and presentation of artefacts and displays

Skills acquired: Adaptability, Advice & Guidance, Communication Skills, Crafts, Customer Service, Event Support, Fundraising, General Maintenance/DIY, Public Relations, Retail, Stock / Inventory Management, Teamwork, Time Management

For more information please contact us at thetunnels@cliffordroad.suffolk.sch.uk

Alternatively, you can make an application at...

Be Collective - Volunteer Applications

Admission Prices 2023

Public Opening Prices

Adults - £5.00

Children £2.50 (Under 5s free)

Concessions - £4.00*

Family Ticket - £12.00

(2 adults + up to 3 children)

*Concessions include: Over 60s, Disabilities, Educational staff (with valid school ID), Serving Military Personal and Veterans

Private Bookings

For private bookings, groups and school educational visits, please contact us via thetunnels@cliffordroad.suffolk.sch.uk

School Bookings (during term time):

The shelter tunnels are open to school bookings all year round! We have capacity for schools to stay with us for the day, with an educational room as a learning base, options for school lunches on site and access to the tunnels and/or artefacts for study.

Please contact us for more details and to arrange a pre-visit tour!

Parking

There is no parking available at the school/heritage site. Visitors can park close to the school on one of the adjoining roads.

Entrance/Access

The tunnels can be accessed from the gates on Tennyson Road, at the rear of the main school building.

On entrance, follow the signs to our Hub space where you can purchase your tickets and browse our artefact collection.