Inside secret nuclear bunker simply quarter-hour from Cheltenham Racecourse
A nuclear bunker posed to protect members of government from a nuclear threat is located around 15 minutes from Cheltenham Racecourse, and still visible for passers-by
A secret bunker designed to protect from a potential apocalypse – or a nuclear threat – is located just 15 minutes away from Cheltenham Racecourse.
Known as the home of jump racing, the racecourse has been home to many legendary sporting moments, but with the festival approaching next week, guests are actually closer than ever to the safety bunker. The secret building is located in the Cotswold village of Ullenwood, around 10 minutes from Cheltenham, where thousands of punters travel every March.
Built with 2ft thick walls, the building was originally designed for protection during the Cold War following a British victory in 1945. It is thought everyone inside would be protected from a nuclear blast.
The bunker would have given members of the Government sanctuary if the Soviet Union were to drop a bomb on the UK. It was fitted with a control room, allowing officials to track UK airspaces from underground.
Adding to this, 30 phone lines were installed as well as a water supply and a seal to ensure all occupants were protected from radiation. In 1963, the bunker was sold to Gloucestershire County Council where it was repurposed as an emergency centre.
Since then it was turned into a training centre, until a local businessman took it on in 2003.
The site has great historical significance, as it was used as a hospital for US forces during World War II. Over 1,000 US personnel were based there between July and September 1945.
The huts are even still visible today for drivers keeping an eye out. They’re located on Greenway Lane, which leads from the B4070 Cheltenham to Birdlip Road and runs down the hill to join the A46 at Shurdington.
Secret government documents released by the National Archives in 2005 revealed contingency plans in the event of a nuclear attack which included scrambling the Prime Minister to the bunker at Ullenwood.
Ullenwood and another secret bunker at Hope Cove in Devon, were to be the government’s South West HQs, as nuclear winter descended over Britain.
They are just two of 13 bunkers across the country intended for such reasons. Ullenwood is something of a luxury when it comes to nuclear bunkers, however, as it is built on two storeys, with rumours of a third sealed-off basement level
It’s even complete with an (indoors) observation balcony over the map room, which focussed on logging Russian activity.
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