Photo credit: www.smithsonianmag.com

Cold War Bunker in Derbyshire Up for Auction

A fascinating piece of history from the Cold War era, a nuclear bunker located beneath a field in Derbyshire, England, is set to go under the hammer. The auction is scheduled for September 26, with anticipated bids ranging from £15,000 to £20,000 (approximately $20,000 to $26,000), according to SDL Auctions.

This underground hideout, constructed in the late 1950s, features two small rooms positioned 14 feet underground. Auctioneer Jim Demitriou expressed to BBC News that the bunker appeals to buyers interested in a tangible link to post-war Britain, emphasizing that it represents a unique historical artifact.

The purpose of this bunker was primarily to serve as a listening post, which would have been operated by a team of three personnel. Their role, during a potential nuclear conflict, would have been to monitor blasts and fallout, as detailed in a statement from SDL Auctions. The occupants were equipped with provisions for 14 days, along with essential communication tools like a landline and radio equipment.

A video tour reveals the bunker’s design, where visitors enter via a tall ladder. Just below, signs caution about head clearance, leading into two distinct spaces: a small storage area lined with white shelves and the main living quarters.

The bunker, roughly the size of a garage, still contains some original furnishings, such as vintage binoculars and a distinctive red communication phone. An asbestos fire blanket remains on the wall, a stark reminder of the era’s safety standards.

Interestingly, the current owner has made eccentric updates to the bunker, transforming it into a more homely environment. This refurbishment includes wall-to-wall velvet curtains, a cream carpet, a made bed, a log burner for warmth, and additional storage solutions. These upgrades contribute to a peculiar mix of Cold War history with modern comforts.

Situated near Buxton, this bunker is one of around 1,500 similar structures that were erected throughout the United Kingdom during the Cold War. These facilities were established by the Royal Observer Corps, which was originally formed in World War I to detect enemy aircraft threats.

Following the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, many of these bunkers were decommissioned and sold, with some subsequently repurposed by telecommunications companies for phone tower installations. The interest in such shelters has evolved, particularly among affluent homeowners, leading to a surge in the market for both new and existing underground bunkers. Recent trends indicate that customized bunkers can cost millions to develop.

Items like this Derbyshire bunker often attract individuals passionate about history. Demitriou noted that his previous sells included a nuclear bunker fetching £31,000 about a year and a half ago and another selling for £48,000 earlier this summer. He commented, “This is the third one of these that I’m selling, so I’m getting a bit of a reputation for myself,” while implying that this current bunker might be the best of his portfolio thus far.

Source
www.smithsonianmag.com