Around Bermondsey, original World War Two air raid shelter signs still point to where people took refuge from bombs being dropped during the Blitz and later from flying bombs (see Bermondsey War Map).
Bomb Damage In World War Two
Bermondsey, located in the capital’s heart with its important railway lines, docks and factories was always going to be a target. The London Bomb Damage Maps show colour coded damage to buildings. Layers of London have the maps on show.
Druid Street Original Air Raid Shelter Signs
In Druid street, at the junction with Tower Bridge Road, has the easiest to find signs. The signs are located opposite the line of railway arches going into London Bridge station.
Nearby is the blue plaque commemorating the air raid shelter bombing which was located in one of the railway arches.
Travelling East along Druid Street, on the same block of flats there are two further original air raid shelter signs from World War Two.
Bomb Damage To Railway Arch
Over the road, on the railway bridge bomb, bomb damage can be clearly seen in the bridge’s stone work. This was caused by bombs dropped by enemy aircraft or by a V1 Doddlebug flying bomb which exploded nearby. Across London, Blitz bomb damage can still be seen on many old buildings, most famously on the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Google Maps link to one of the original air raid shelter signs in Druid Street:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5010675,-0.0777295,3a,21.2y,39.73h,85.08t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s20RrUhafiv-hQtFU-jcUkQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192