This was an organised trip, essentially we crashed in on Sub Brits day as organised for us by Tommo who then ended up not being able to make it himself. Visited with Frosty, Fortknox and a non member.
This place has a massive history, it started life in WW2 and was originally constructed as a shadow factory for the Rover car company who were at the time manufacturing engines for the Bristol Aeroplane Company.
During the 1950s and the growing Cold War, the site was initially used by the Ministry of Supply for storage. Then around 1958 part of the site was developed by the Home Office as a Regional Seat of Government (RSG9). Under later Home Defence schemes the bunker was designated a Sub-Regional Control (SRC), Sub-Regional Headquarters (SRHQ) and finally Regional Government Headquarters(RGHQ).
The site was greatly modernised in the early 1980s, only a small portion of the site was designated for use. New blast doors were fitted in place of the previous wooden factory doors and the interior of the site was refurbished in the areas forward of tunnel 4.
Today Drakelow is in the hands of a preservation group that was formed when the site was under threat of development. Work has been going on to try and bring some areas of the tunnels back to their former glory, indeed they have got one of the original generators powering some of the place and providing lighting in parts. Was a great place to see, and so many interesting bits to look at.
Bathroom area in the old Rover Factory
Parts of the more modern section. I didn't take many photos of this bit, it was quite bland really.
BBC Studio
Generator while it was running, was a bit of a beast to say the least.
Cold war Kitchen
The older Kitchen area.
Parts of a telephone Exchange
Tunnel 4.
Thanks for looking.
Maniac.
This place has a massive history, it started life in WW2 and was originally constructed as a shadow factory for the Rover car company who were at the time manufacturing engines for the Bristol Aeroplane Company.
During the 1950s and the growing Cold War, the site was initially used by the Ministry of Supply for storage. Then around 1958 part of the site was developed by the Home Office as a Regional Seat of Government (RSG9). Under later Home Defence schemes the bunker was designated a Sub-Regional Control (SRC), Sub-Regional Headquarters (SRHQ) and finally Regional Government Headquarters(RGHQ).
The site was greatly modernised in the early 1980s, only a small portion of the site was designated for use. New blast doors were fitted in place of the previous wooden factory doors and the interior of the site was refurbished in the areas forward of tunnel 4.
Today Drakelow is in the hands of a preservation group that was formed when the site was under threat of development. Work has been going on to try and bring some areas of the tunnels back to their former glory, indeed they have got one of the original generators powering some of the place and providing lighting in parts. Was a great place to see, and so many interesting bits to look at.
Bathroom area in the old Rover Factory
Parts of the more modern section. I didn't take many photos of this bit, it was quite bland really.
BBC Studio
Generator while it was running, was a bit of a beast to say the least.
Cold war Kitchen
The older Kitchen area.
Parts of a telephone Exchange
Tunnel 4.
Thanks for looking.
Maniac.