Gravesend Civil Defence Sub-Divisional Control Centre

The Gravesend Civil Defence Sub-Divisional Control Centre, constructed in the 20th century, is situated on the east side of Woodlands Park, off Wrotham Road. This bunker, built to protect against civil emergencies, is a rectangular structure measuring 65 feet by 45 feet, oriented north-south, and is largely concealed beneath a turf-covered bank supported by 18-inch (46cm) thick reinforced concrete.

The main entrance is located at the south end, reached via a two-flight concrete staircase. The upper flight is protected by a metal door and a pre-fabricated concrete canopy. A further steel-reinforced door at the base of the stairs provides access to the bunker. Brick revetments line the staircase, now with later metal security railings. An emergency exit is provided at the north end, leading directly into the park. Originally, both entrances were enclosed by wire fences supported on concrete posts. Visible above ground are three concrete ventilation intakes and a generator exhaust outlet on the west side. Other external features include a tank for liquid waste at the foot of the western slope, and a lamp post to the north-east, which also served as a radio mast.

Inside, the main entrance opens onto a central spine corridor running north-south. Fourteen rooms, divided into domestic, communications, and control areas, are separated by a combination of brick and studwork walls. To the west of the corridor are the power room and most of the domestic rooms, including a power and ventilation room (which lacks the emergency generator but retains the original ventilation plant), women’s and men’s dormitories and toilets, and two of the three male dormitories. On the east side of the corridor are the communications rooms, containing a waiting room, messenger’s room, a message room with original fitted timber telephonist’s furniture, and a liaison officer’s room. The control section features a sub-divisional control room, a small Controller’s office with glazed timber partitions, and a District Control Room; a timber-partitioned kitchenette is located in the south-west corner of the sub-divisional control room.

Original interior features remain, including doors, communications hatches, light switches, ventilation ducts, toilet fittings, and some hanging-signs within the spine corridor. Later additions include modern lighting, floor coverings, and some fire-doors.