The Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge, England, is a historic and fascinating site commemorating one of World War II’s most significant events. Located in the heart of Hillingdon, it is a living testament to the bravery of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the crucial role they played in defending the UK against German air raids during the Battle of Britain.

The Battle of Britain Bunker is important for many reasons, and we are lucky to have this piece of history so close to Uxbridge. We will explore the history and significance of this exciting location and provide you with fun facts and a comprehensive FAQ to help you understand this unique and important site.

With the start of the holidays, it is always a mad scramble to compile a list of things to do with the kids when they have all that free time to get bored. And while there are plenty of things to see and do all over London and the UK, we decided to do a few things closer to home. So we are visiting some of the local attractions and days out that Uxbridge and Hillingdon offer.

History of the Battle of Britain Bunker

The Battle of Britain Bunker was built as a secure underground operations room for the RAF between February and August 1938, during the height of the Battle of Britain. The bunker was designed to house the Command Centre of 11 Group, responsible for defending southeast England against German air raids. The Command Centre was responsible for directing the actions of fighter squadrons and ground defences and providing real-time updates on the location of enemy aircraft.

The Battle of Britain Bunker played a critical role in the defence of the UK during the Battle of Britain. The Command Centre was the nerve centre of the RAF’s air defence network, and from the bunker, officers could monitor the battle’s progress and make crucial real-time decisions. In 1940, the bunker was equipped with the latest in communications and radar technology, which allowed the RAF to respond quickly and effectively to incoming German raids.

What’s here?

The main parts are the bunker itself and the visitor centre. The bunker has 77 steps leading down to it, so it isn’t the most accessible; there is also a visitor centre if the steps to the bunker put you off. You can buy tickets to the visitor centre, which is cheaper, or the visitor centre and the bunker.

The new, modern building that houses the visitor centre opened in 2018 and is an exciting sight and experience all by itself. Surrounding the building and in the picnic area are full-size replica aircraft: one Hurricane and one Spitfire, and another two aircraft overhanging the visitor centre.

How much does it cost? (Checked Feb 2023)

At the time of visiting the prices are as follows:

Visitor Centre Only/Bunker & Visitor Centre

Adult – 

Over 65 – 

Children under 16 – Free

But the best bit is that if you have a HillingdonFirst card, you get 50% off your ticket! You do need one for each person that wants a discount, though.

Who would enjoy this?

My nephew is ten and has enjoyed a lot of the history he has studied at school. I was curious to know how much of WWII he had studied or if he was even interested, but he loved the whole experience. He enjoyed looking around the visitor centre and the massive full-size replicas of the Hurricane and Spitfire that are outside the bunker and even liked the half-hour talk in the war room in the bunker itself (I was worried he’d lose interest). The talk was very engaging; the speaker was well-rehearsed, passionate and interesting, and would keep everyone’s attention. Well, not my three-year-old niece, but she is probably a bit on the young side for this. She did fall asleep about halfway through the talk, but she loved looking at all the model planes in the display cases dotted around the bunker.

Fun Facts about the Battle of Britain Bunker

1. The Battle of Britain Bunker is one of only a few surviving underground operations rooms from World War II.
2. The bunker is located beneath the site of the former RAF Uxbridge Station, which was an important air defence base during the Battle of Britain.
3. The bunker was designed to withstand bomb attacks and was equipped with a reinforced concrete roof and thick walls to protect the staff and equipment inside.
4. During the Battle of Britain, the Command Centre was staffed 24 hours a day by a rotating team of officers who worked in shifts to monitor the progress of the battle.
5. The bunker was equipped with the latest in communications technology, including teleprinters and telephone exchanges, which allowed the Command Centre to communicate quickly and effectively with fighter squadrons and ground defences.
6. The bunker was also equipped with a large plotting table, which was used to track enemy aircraft movements in real-time.
7. In the years following the Battle of Britain, the bunker was decommissioned and remained unused until it was restored and opened to the public in the 1980s.

FAQ about the Battle of Britain Bunker

1. What is the Battle of Britain Bunker?

The Battle of Britain Bunker is a historic underground operations room used by the RAF during the Battle of Britain to direct the defence of southeast England against German air raids. The bunker was the Command Centre of the 11 Group, and from the bunker, officers could monitor the battle’s progress and make crucial decisions in real-time.

1. Where is the Battle of Britain Bunker located?

The Battle of Britain Bunker is located in Uxbridge, England, and is situated beneath the site of the former RAF Uxbridge Station.

1. What was the significance of the Battle of Britain Bunker?

The Battle of Britain Bunker was a critical component of the RAF’s air defence network during the Battle of Britain and played a crucial role in defence of the UK against German air raids. The Command Centre was the nerve centre of the RAF’s air defence operations, and from the bunker, officers could

What Historic Artifacts and Objects Can be Found in the Bunker?

Visitors to the Battle of Britain Bunker can see a variety of historic artifacts and objects that help bring the history of this important site to life. Some of the highlights of the collection include:

1. Original plotting table – The large plotting table that was used by the RAF during the Battle of Britain to track the movements of enemy aircraft in real-time is still on display in the bunker. This iconic piece of equipment gives visitors a sense of what it was like to work in the Command Centre during the Battle of Britain.
2. Communications equipment – Visitors can see a variety of historic communications equipment, including teleprinters and telephone exchanges, that were used by the RAF during the Battle of Britain. This equipment helped the Command Centre to communicate quickly and effectively with fighter squadrons and ground defences during the battle.
3. Personal items – A variety of personal items belonging to RAF officers and staff who worked in the Command Centre are on display, including uniforms, helmets, and other items of uniform. These items give visitors a sense of the human dimension of the Battle of Britain and help to bring the history of the site to life.
4. Maps and charts – The bunker is filled with maps and charts that were used by the RAF during the Battle of Britain to track the movements of enemy aircraft and to plan their defence. These maps provide a fascinating insight into the tactics and strategy of the RAF during the battle.
5. Historic photographs – The bunker is also home to a collection of historic photographs that document the history of the site and the Battle of Britain. These photographs provide a visual record of this important period in British history.

Visitors to the Battle of Britain Bunker will have the opportunity to see these and many other historical artefacts and objects that help to bring the history of this critical site to life. By exploring the collection and learning about the RAF’s equipment, tactics, and strategy during the Battle of Britain, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation for the bravery and skill of the men and women who defended the UK during this critical period in its history.

All in all we thoroughly enjoyed the look at this historical location, loved the walk and the talk and looking round the visitor centre. We got a bite to eat and a drink from the cafe, and even bought some items from he gift shop. If you live locally the HillingdonFirst discount makes this a no-brainer!