Uxbridge Battle of Britain Bunker
5th August 2018
Battle of Britain Bunker.
If you don’t already know, the Battle of Britain Bunker or the hole as it was known was where all Royal Air Force 11 Group (South East England) fighters were controlled in WWII. It was so secret the Germans didn’t even know it existed until well after the war. Our tour guide said with his tongue in his cheek, “They never knew about it until 1975, and that was when they came on a guided tour”. Because of this and despite it’s importance it was never bombed.
Saturday August 4th 2018 was 1940’s day at the Bunker. The great weather was still holding so we took the opportunity to have a look at the new visitors centre. We also did the bunker tour again while we there as well, it’s always worthwhile.
The visitors centre has a small but interesting display of Battle of Britain and 11 Group operations room related items. This is worth seeing on its own but the real gem is a visit to the underground operations room. First time down those 76 steps the hair on the back of your neck will stand on end. You’re walking in the footprints of Churchill and King George VI.
Here’s a little video of us descending the steps. Note near the end the height of the flood waters in July 2014. It was so bad that they nearly lost the bunker so I’ve heard on a previous tour.
Photo Gallery
Click the little (i) info icon below each picture for a description
There was some great entertainment outside the visitors centre in the form of a 40’s/50’s girl group called Champagne at the Blitz. They were great and fitted the day perfectly.