Former Secret UK Government War HQ Pics: Burlington Declassified

Just before Christmas 2004 the Ministry of Defence announced that the former UK Government Emergency War Headquarters bunker complex at Corsham, Wiltshire had been declassified. The Corsham complex, known by many codenames SUBTERFUGE- BURLINGTON-TURNSTILE etc, was built in a former WW2 underground factory in the late fifties and became operational in the early sixties. This is the bunker where the UK Prime Minister would have issued the order for nuclear retaliation. In the late 1980s it is thought that it was replaced by a command bunker built deep under Montague House in Whitehall, known as PINDAR.

The Ministry of Defence have now added a webpage dedicated to pictures of the former Corsham bunker. A few pictures of the former bunker can be seen here








Interestingly it seems that public access will be soon available. According to the MOD website

Visits by members of the public will not be approved until a comprehensive review of Health and Safety has been conducted. Requests for visits by the press and other media organisations may be considered, exceptionally, and should be made in writing to: Wing Commander Steve Röver-Parkes, Commanding Officer Joint Support Unit Corsham, Rudloe Site, Park Lane, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9NR.


zero lift

This is some pretty cool stuff. If they get it open to the public i ma be forced to go and take a look round.

That link is really good; everyone check it out.

Good find zero!

Its nice to see the goverment opening up places like this to the public so urban explorers don't have to put their lives on the line to photograph and explore these relics of history. I just hope they dont dress it up too much and ruin that authentic look and feel of a place frozen in time.

Yeah. I want to see genuine retro, even if it is decaying, not perfect reconstructions which could be from any time.
BTW - have you been to www.simoncornwell.com...

I find it one of the best UK sites for viewing this old building lark.

If you're into urbex try this UK site- it's very good and has a good forum.

DarkPlaces


zero lift

too bad we can not go look into darkplaces here in the states. federal mandate requires tresspassers are shot on sight

too bad we can not go look into darkplaces here in the states. federal mandate requires tresspassers are shot on sight

This is getting off topic but if you're interested there are many US Urbex groups around.

Check out these links

www.infiltration.org...

www.infiltration.org...


zero lift

wow lol thats a great site dood. i need to go check these places out

correct me if i am wrong and i probably am but wasent it spring that was declassified
i thought that burlington and parts of tunnel were still used

correct me if i am wrong and i probably am but wasent it spring that was declassified i thought that burlington and parts of tunnel were still used

According to the Ministry of Defence,

"A formerly secret Government underground site near Corsham in Wiltshire, which was a potential relocation site for the Government in the event of a nuclear war, was declassified at the end of 2004.

The site remains part of the MOD estate and, as such, general access to members of the public remains restricted. Health and safety considerations also rule out visits at present. But major changes to the strategic threat to the UK in recent years, and the development of other, more relevant, contingency plans, mean that the site is no longer needed to maintain Government in time of war.

During the 1950s, the site at Spring Quarry East near Corsham was prepared against the possible need to relocate 4,000 central Government personnel during a nuclear exchange. The subterranean facility could have provided accommodation for a prolonged period, and was well provided with communications."

news.mod.uk...

They are referring to the declassification of Burlington.

Other parts of the Corsham complex are still used by the Armed Services and remain classified.


zero lift

ahh i see thanks for that
i was under the impression it was parts of spring as burlington and tunnel are still very much in use (but only parts of it)

any of you guys want some info on a bunker system in shropshire (where i live, not yet know by many other people if any at all).
give me a buzz on the email.
[email protected]

Originally posted by tunnel man
ahh i see thanks for that
i was under the impression it was parts of spring as burlington and tunnel are still very much in use (but only parts of it)

Burlington could be used again if needed but it's been replaced by Pindar.

Spring Quarry is not used any more, most of it lays in a mess, untouched for 10 years. Apart from one area which has recently been bought up by a media company.

There is one smallish area of Spring Quarry though which has never revealed all of it's secrets.

About 90% of Tunnel Quarry is also unused today although it's in better condition than Spring. The only bits of Tunnel Quarry which are still used and classified are South West Control and CCC.

BURLINGTON: Selection Requirements