A nuclear bunker has gone up for sale in the UK, but whilst – cruicially – it is blast proof, it does lack one vital component for a life under ground.
The decommissioned Cold War bunker near Buxton, Derbyshire, is going under the hammer as a unique living space. The quirky abode boasts necessities like a giant picture of a nuclear explosion on one wall, velvet curtains, a log burner and space for a double bed.
It does lack toilet facilities though, which could prove challenging. The site, in Wormhill, is due to be sold by auction on September 26 with a guide price of between £15,000 and £20,000. It doesn’t offer a lot of room to any potential bidder – but packs plenty of character.
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The underground den was built in the 1950s by the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) to save employees in case of an attack. It was decomissioned in 1991.
(Image: SDL Property Auctions/TriangleNews)
The bunker is one of around 1,500 built during the Cold War period as Britain strengthened its defences and the population became increasingly anxious about other countries’ nuclear capabilities. It’s described as being in “excellent condition”, but the interior is somewhat strange.
A hatch and ladder take you 20ft down into the ground, where you enter a cosy studio room. It has cream carpets, a sheepskin rug, cream velvet curtains and a double bed with bright yellow throw, while on the wall is the image of a nuclear explosion.
It has plenty of storage space nearby, containing a camping gas hob, electric heater and stash of beer. The electrics and lights appear to be powered by a giant battery.
Signs suggest the current owner could be a disaster ‘prepper’ as there is currently a shelf of tinned food, which would last you plenty of time beneath the surface. There is also a fitting book for the future owner to read – Cold War Secret Nuclear Bunkers. The bunkers comes with an original pair of binoculars, a telephone and old diagrams and instructions left on the walls.
(Image: SDL Property Auctions/TriangleNews)
A description from auctioneers SDL Property Auctions says: “Fantastic opportunity to buy a piece of past war British history. The once in a generation opportunity is to buy a ROC nuclear bunker otherwise known as A Royal Observer post.
“This particular site was one of many built in the 1950s and was designed to provide protective accommodation for three observers to survive a nuclear attack, they were expected to report on the nuclear bursts and on the fall out of a nuclear attack.
“They were provided with enough food and water for fourteen days and had a land line and radio communications available to them.
“Most of these sites were decommissioned and sold off in 1993 and we have been informed that many were bought up by telecom companies and now are sites for mobile phone masts as they were built as telecommunication posts so they are positioned in very favourable locations.
“The bunker is secure, dry and in its original condition, the current owner has refurbished and decorated it in readiness for its new owner. There are wall to wall velvet curtains, a cream carpet, a made bed, a log burner, storage and even a rug to make it as homely as possible.”
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