Located a short distance from York city centre, nested in an unassuming cul-de-sac is one of York’s stranger historical attractions. Hidden away, York’s Cold War bunker is hard to find unless searching for it. The most modern of English Heritage’s sites, the bunker was in active use for 10 years from 1961-1991 as a station to monitor nuclear fallout if an attack ever happened. It wasn’t until 15 years later in 2006 when tours began at the bunker after the mushrooms and mould that had grown during disuse were treated.
The bunker would be manned by a team of 60 people divided into 3 crews. Each person would be on 8-hour rotations between rest, relaxation and work. Maybe, most interestingly, the 60 people in the bunker would be volunteers from the Royal Observer Corps (ROC). The role as a volunteer would be difficult since it would require leaving behind your family if the worst-case scenario occurred.
A few fun facts about the bunker:
- The air pressure in the bunker is higher to act as seal for any cracks so that nuclear fallout cannot leak in – this is a similar mechanism to what submarines use.
- In the operations room they used colour psychology to help the volunteers. There was a blue to focus, a light blue to calm a burnt orange for cheerfulness
- In the event that no-one makes it to the bunker after a nuclear attack there is an instrument called Atomic Weapons Detection Recognition and Estimation of Yield, also known as AWDREY, that will record the nuclear fallout and send it to military services. However, AWDREY has flaws as it is also set off by fireworks and lightning.
The tour includes a short introductory film in the canteen about Britain in the Cold War. You are then guided through the bunker including the operations room, the dormitories and telephone exchange.
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If you want to extend your trip in York read about what else the city has to offer here.
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Sources: english-heritage.org.uk
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