York Cold War Bunker

About the museum

The bunker was built in 1961 as No. 20 Group Headquarters of the Royal Observer Corps. Its task was to collect reports from more than 40 observation posts across Yorkshire, work out where nuclear explosions had occurred and how strong they were, and track the spread of radioactive fallout. The semi-sunken concrete building stands behind a Victorian villa on the west side of York. It was not designed to survive a direct hit.

The network was never put on full alert, even during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Most of the Royal Observer Corps was stood down at the end of September 1991, and the bunkers closed in 1992. The communications equipment was removed, but the interiors were left largely untouched.

English Heritage took the site into its care in 2000 and carried out five years of conservation and research before opening it to the public. Visitors now see the operations room with its original monitoring equipment, the dormitory, plant and communications rooms and a canteen, and learn how the system was meant to work.

Highlights

• Control room with original monitoring equipment
• Dormitory, plant room and communications rooms
• Guided tour of about an hour with a short film on Mutually Assured Destruction
• Built in 1961 for the Royal Observer Corps, closed in 1992
• Restored by English Heritage

Permanent exhibition

• Guided tour of the Cold War bunker – A tour through the operations room, dormitory, plant and communications rooms, with original equipment and a short film about nuclear deterrence.

Operated by

English Heritage

Admission & discounts

Entry is by pre-booked guided tour only. Standard, Saver and Super Saver tickets are offered, with prices that depend on the date and are shown in the online booking tool; tickets booked online in advance include a 15% discount compared with the price on the day. English Heritage members enter free but must still book a tour and bring their membership card. A membership allows up to six children of a member to enter free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: not available

The entrance has steep steps with a handrail, but there is a wheelchair entrance with ramps and a chairlift, and the floors inside are level concrete and carpet. Corridors are narrow and the lift is small, so large mobility scooters may not fit and visitors should contact the site before booking. Only one wheelchair is allowed in the bunker at a time. Disabled parking is very limited, and visitors can be dropped off at the entrance. There is seating in the canteen halfway through the tour. There are no induction loops, and film subtitles are available. Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs are not allowed.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Pushchairs are not recommended because of the many steep steps and narrow corridors. Baby changing is available in the toilets.

Getting there & parking

The bunker is on Monument Close, off Acomb Road (B1224), about 2 miles from the city centre.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop sells English Heritage gifts, books, postcards and Cold War souvenirs. Toilets include a disabled toilet with baby changing.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit