We are pleased to announce a members only visit to the Rotor radar bunker at RAF Wartling on Saturday 9th May. Tickets are limited and booking opens on Saturday 4th April at 9am. Further information has been sent out in the member’s newsletter.
Tag: Cold War
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Cuckfield Royal Observer Corps Post – Open Days
Open only on 18/7/26: 1200-1600, 19/7/26: 1000-1300, 29/8/26:1200-1600, 30/8/26: 1000-1300NB: The post is locked and secure at all other times and no equipment is stored inside.Step back into the Cold War at the Cuckfield ROC Post, one of the few surviving and fully restored Royal Observer Corps nuclear monitoring bunkers in the UK. This rare underground relic offers a unique “time capsule” experience, preserved exactly as it would have looked when observers stood ready to track nuclear bursts and fallout.Why Visit?- Authentic Atmosphere: Descend the 15-foot ladder into a cramped, high-stakes environment filled with original equipment, maps, and mid-century communications gear.
- Living History: Passionate volunteers bring the site to life, explaining how ordinary citizens were trained to be the nation’s “eyes and ears” during a nuclear conflict.
- Hidden Heritage: Located beneath a quiet field in West Sussex, it’s a powerful reminder of a secret history that once existed right under our feet.
It’s an evocative, thought-provoking trip for history buffs and families alike, offering a glimpse into a world of “Protect and Survive” that defined a generation.Visitor Information- Location: The bunker is located on Newbury Lane, Cuckfield, West Sussex.
- Entry: No pre-booking is required; visitors can just turn up.
- Wait Times: Be prepared for a short wait on the surface during busy periods, as only a limited number of people can go underground at once.
- Facilities: There are no toilets or parking at the bunker site. Visitors are advised to park and use facilities in Cuckfield village.
- Donations: Entry is typically supported by donations to help maintain the site, which has been restored to its Cold War-era appearance
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Visit to RAF Wartling Rotor R3 Radar Station
A members only opportunity to visit the 1950s RAF radar bunker in Wartling, East Sussex.
Beneath the fields above the Pevensey Levels, in the heart of East Sussex, sits one of the most significant surviving Rotor R3 bunkers in the country — a two-level reinforced concrete structure built between 1951 and 1955 with walls, floor and ceiling cast ten feet thick, designed to absorb a near-miss from Russian pattern bombing. At its operational peak, Wartling held responsibility for all British airspace south of the Thames, and in 1959 provided the last radar trace of the prototype Handley Page Victor before it went down. It closed in December 1964, was stripped, and then became flooded — remaining largely inaccessible for decades.
The bunker’s current state owes a great deal to support from Subterranea Britannica. A major pumping operation removed some 2.75 million litres of water, followed by years of work to seal ingress points, reinstate lighting and make the structure walkable again. The two-hour guided tour takes in both levels and more than thirty rooms — intercept halls, plant spaces, switchgear rooms and the long connecting corridors that once directed Hunters and Javelins through southern English skies.
Booking details have been circulated to members. New members to SMHS are welcome to book tickets, subject to availability. The donation will fund restoration and preservation work at this unusual site.