- Updated 27th July 2008
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- BUNKERS & COMMAND CENTRES TO VISIT
- 24 HOUR MUSEUM & MGM 2007
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The Historic 'Roundel' of RAF Fighter Command
Just click on the RED text to go directly to the linked site Note: Some of the link addresses may seem quite long as they take you directly to the pages of the relevant sites without the need for further searches. Just click on the red web addresses below to go straight to the site of your choice. If you wish to have a link added to your site please contact us and we will be happy to help: info@rafholmpton.com
NOTE: These details are regularly updated and Newsflashes are added in RED
GEORGE & DRAGON Public House - Just 700 yards from th gates of RAF HOLMPTON - Serving everything from a sandwich to a full meal - Ample car parking just opposite - www.georgeanddragon-holmpton.co.uk
HACK GREEN SECRET BUNKER - NEAR NANTWICH CHESHIRE www.hackgreen.co.uk The Hack Green Secret Bunkase contact us:er located near Nantwich in Cheshire contains a huge Cold War Exhibition covering the bunkers use by the RAF - Civil Radar - and most recently as a Government RGHQ - There is also a working radar, a gift shop and a first class restaurant - (This is a privately owned exhibition)
KELVEDON HATCH NUCLEAR BUNKER - NEAR BRENTWOOD ESSEX www.secretnuclearbunker.co.uk The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Bunker located near Brentwood in Essex contains a full display of a Regional Government Headquarters equipped during the Cold War and designed to operate as a major HQ for London in the event of a nuclear attack. The Bunker caters for special events and there is an excellent restaurant - (This is a privately owned exhibition)
SCOTLANDS SECRET BUNKER - NEAR ST ANDREWS FIFE SCOTLAND www.secretbunker.co.uk Scotland's Secret Bunker located near St Andrews (The Home of Golf) in Fife and about 50 miles from Edinburgh, was the first bunker in the UK to be sold off by the Government at the end of the Cold War. The exhibition shows the development of the bunker through its short life as an RAF radar station, and its later use as an Emergency Government HQ for Scotland. There is a gift shop and the bunker can provide special events. Note: This exhibition was originally built (1993) by the same team as The Dover Castle Tunnels - The Liverpool War Rooms -The Mistley Secret Bunker & RAF Holmpton. Newsflash: A planned refurbishment for the 2008 season has not gone ahead - (This is a privately owned exhibition)
SECRET WWII WARTIME TUNNELS - DOVER CASTLE KENT www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConProperty.182 The Wartime Tunnels at Dover Castle provide a fascinating insight into our wartime history along with displays about the evacuation of Dunkirk which was masterminded from this command centre deep below the white cliffs of Dover. Note: This exhibition was originally built (1991) by the same team as The Liverpool War Rooms - Scotland's Secret Bunker - The Mistley Secret Bunker & RAF Holmpton - (English Heritage)
ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS GROUP HEADQUARTERS BUNKER - ACOMB YORK www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConProperty.432The Royal Observer Corps Bunket at Acomb in York has been restored and is now open for pre-booked visits. This gives an insight into the working of the now disbanded ROC which at the height of the Cold War had over 10,000 personnel stationed in over 700 protected posts and 27 HQ's throughout the British Isles. Special Note: The last ever Operational Headquarters of the Royal Observer Corps is preserved at RAF Holmpton and remained there until 1997, six years after the 'stand down' of the corps, by which time many of their other sites had sadly been demolished. This 'memorial' to the ROC is included on the public tour at RAF Holmpton - (English Heritage)
LIVERPOOL WAR ROOMS DERBY HOUSE - RUMFORD STREET LIVERPOOL www.liverpoolwarmuseum.co.uk The War Rooms in Liverpool 'Western Approaches' is a fully authentic restoration of the WWII Command Centre that operated throughout the Battle of the Atlantic - the longest running conflict of WWII. The displays are packed with original artefacts from the period and this is a unique display of our wartime past. Note: This exhibition was originally built (1992) by the same team as The Dover Castle Tunnels - Scotland's Secret Bunker - The Mistley Secret Bunker & RAF Holmpton - Newsflash: This exhibition is currently suffering from a lack of maintenance and most of the interpretations no longer work - Be sure to check that the site is open before visiting - Tel: 0151 227 2008 - (This museum has recently changed hands - It is now owned by a property development company and further chenges are expected)
PORTHCURNO TELEGRAPH MUSEUM - PORTHCURNO CORNWALL www.porthcurno.org.uk The Porthcurno telegraph Museum is set in the original secret tunnels of the telegraph Communications Centre dating back to WWII. A truly great opportunity to see this place which for so many years remained a closely guarde secret. Packed with historic exhibits it is every bit woth a visit. (Porthcurno Telegraph Museum Preservation Trust)
THE CABINET WAR ROOMS & CHURCHILL MUSEUM - WHITEHALL LONDON http://cwr.iwm.org.ukThe Cabinet War Rooms in London Whitehall have been lovingly restored by the Imperial wa Museum and show where Churcill based his command during WWII. There were other operations centres available but ts site was by far the favourite location for Churchill, right in the heart of Government. Admission ot the War Rooms also includes admission to the Churchill Museum set in further restored areas of the former War Rooms - (Imperial War Museum) Newsflash - Recently extended to incorporate the extensive Churchill Museum
GRAVESEND CIVIL DEFENCE BUNKER - GRAVESEND KENT www.gravesham.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=2807 The Gravesend Civil Defence Bunker has been authentically restored and is the only example of a CD bunker still preserved in the UK today. It is well worth a visit and brings a reminder of this great organisation, disbanded in the 1960's. Note: Some of the exhibits in this exhibition (2000) were provided by the Dover Castle - Liverpool War Rooms - Scotlands Secret Bunker - Mistley Secret Bunker & RAF Holmpton team - (Preservation Trust & Gravesend Council)
www.24hourmuseum.org.uk - Culture 24 if the new name for the 24 hour museum website - This is the Database for ALL museums and Museum Events in the UK - This includes locations - information - opening times -events etc - (Charity)
www.mgm.org.uk - Museums & Galleries Month 2008 - Every year a whole month (May 2008) is devoted to Museums & Galleries along with many special events and late openings (Museums at Night) throught the UK - (Charity)
www.thisisUll.com A Website dedicated to News - Views & Information centering on HULL and the surrounding area.
www.realyorkshire.co.uk - Visit Hull & East Yorkshire - The Local Tourism Association - An information website wth all local attractions throughout the region - (Local Authority DMO)
www.yorkshire.com - The Yorkshire Tourist Board Visitor Information Website - If you are planning a visit to Yorkshire this is the place to start with information about Attractions- Historic Sites - Travel and Accommodation - (Official Tourist Board Website)
www.enjoyengland.com - The official website for tourism and visits around the UK - Places to visit - Attractions and a huge variety of information - (National Toursim Website)
www.visitbritain.com - The official website of Visit Britain for tourism and visitors to the UK - Plan your visit - Where to stay - Places to see - (National Tourism Website)
www.english-heritage.org.uk - English Heritage - Preserving Historic Sites throughout England. Listing many Historic places to visit. (Membership available). SPECIAL NOTE: The former Royal Observer Corps Bunker in YORK is now open to group visits. Details on the English Heritage Website - (National Heritage Preservation)
www.subbrit.org.uk - Subterranea Britannica - A society dedicated to the research of underground sites including caves - mines - defence sites - bunkers etc. (Membership available) The society holds forums, study days/weekends and meetings and also organises visits to both UK and European sites - (A Formally Constituted Society)
GUIDANCE - There are a large number of places these days that can appear open to exploration, but they may be in private ownership and permission should always be sought before entry - Safety should always be considered and it is advisable to have somebody with you in case of accident. Government and Military sites even if appearing abandoned should never be entered without express permission. If in doubt firstly contact one of the recognised groups or societies for their advice, you will find that their assistance is freely given.
www.rocassoc.org.uk - Royal Observer Corps Association - All past mambers of the Royal Observer Corps along with their friends and families are welcome in this Association which organises group visits to former sites and many reunions and special events throughoutthe UK. (Membership available) - (Formally Constituted Association)
www.archiveshub.ac.uk/sep06a.shtml The Archives Hub - Revolutionising access to the archives of UK Universities & Colleges - This link goes directly to their pages about Nuclear Subjects including RAF Holmpton - (University sponsored site)
NOTE: RAF Holmpton & HIPPO provide the above links for the convenience of visitors to our official website - However we are not responsible for the content of any of the above linked sites.
PRESERVING OUR COLD WAR HERITAGE