Come and visit one of the areas leading visitor attractions and experience life as it was during a 'black out' in war torn Britain. The Air Raid Shelters have been imaginatively restored to give you the feel of the era and struggle that Britain was facing. This network of tunnels, nearly a mile long, was hewn out of the red sandstone hills on which the town stands, to provide air raid shelters for 6,500 during the Second World War. Come and explore this underground network and experience the way of life beneath our streets - fitted with electric light, wooden benches, bunk beds, wardens’ post, a first aid post and, unforgettably, the 16-seater toilets!

This exciting new visitor attraction invites you to time travel through the history of Staircase House. Come and listen, smell and touch, peel back the bedclothes of the four poster bed, sit at the 18th Century dining table, and try your hand at quill pen writing. Perfect for a family day out or simply to enjoy a unique hands-on historical experience. When visiting you will journey from 1460 to WWII and experience every century in between. You will learn how people used to live and how society and our attitudes have changed over time. Once your journey is complete you can browse in the gift shop and enjoy a relaxing hot drink in Blackshaw’s Café.