Hack Green Secret Bunker
Over 50 years ago the freedom you now enjoy was in peril, World War II was being lost and Britain was struggling for its very survival. In the Air Ministry in bomb-blitzed London officials were looking for sites to locate the new Radio Detection and Direction Finding (RDF) equipment or radar as it came to be known. A chain of radar stations were already strung out along the eastern and southern coasts to face the enemy bombers and fighters threatening Britain. This system was known as 'Chain Home' and was supplemented at the outbreak of war by the 'Chain Home Low' system which was able to detect enemy aircraft flying at low altitude.
Radar was in its early days of development and had difficulty in detecting hostile aircraft. In late 1940 a further system of radar installations known as 'Ground Controlled Intercept Stations' were developed.
In 1941 Hack Green, a site previously used as a bombing decoy site for the main railway centre at Crewe was chosen to become RAF Hack Green, to protect the land between Birmingham and Liverpool from hostile attack. Thus began the service of Hack Green and the airmen and women of Cheshire in the defence of the nation.
Hack Green was one of 21 fixed radar stations in the country and one of only 12 fully equipped with searchlights and fighter aircraft control. In one of the cabinets in the museum you can see some of the original communications equipment used by Searchlight Command.
As a Rotor station, Hack Green had a compliment of 18 officers, 26 NCO's and 224 corporals and aircraftsmen. 1958 brought yet another change in Hack Green's role when it became part of The United Kingdom Air Traffic Control System, one of 4 joint civil/military Air Traffic Control Units.
Most of the airmen and locally recruited W.A.A.F.s were redeployed or sent home to the surrounding towns and villages. Hack Green had helped to see Cheshire through World War II and into the Cold War period, but it wasn't finished yet. Having served for almost 30 years at the heart of the air defence of Britain, a new role awaited Hack Green at the heart of Government.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Summer
The bunker is open 7 days a week from the 20th of March until the 31st of October. From 10.30am to 5.30pm.
Winter
The bunker is open every Saturday and Sunday during the winter from
11.00a.m. to 4.30p.m., except during December when the bunker is closed all month.
The bunker is also open daily during the school half term holidays in February.
HOW TO ACCESS THE BUNKER
Located in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker is situated just off the A530 Whitchurch Road, a few miles outside the picturesque market town of Nantwich, and only 30 minutes from Chester.
From Junction 16 on the M6 motorway take the signs to Nantwich then Whitchurch on the A530.
(Follow the brown Secret Bunker signs)
Price:
| INDIVIDUAL VISITORS: |
| Pensioners (65+) & Students |
£6.80 |
| (Pension/Student Card/Licence I.D. Required) |
£6.50 |
| Children (5-16 inclusive) |
£4.90 |
| Wheelchair Users Only & Carers |
£4.90 each |
| Family (2 adults & 2 children) |
£21.00 |
| Each additional child |
£4.00 |
| PRE-BOOKED GROUP PRICES (Minimum 10 People): |
| Adults |
£6.40 |
| Pensioners (65+) & Students |
£6.00 |
| Children (5-16 inclusive) |
£4.50 |
| Wheelchair Users Only & Carers |
£4.50 each |
| ACCOMPANIED EVENING TOURS : |
| Adults |
£8.00 |
| Children |
£6.00 |
Behind the scenes accompanied tour
(Minimum 20 adults or payment for 20 adults)