York Cold War Bunker
York Cold War Bunker
York Cold War Bunker
4.5
About
Experience the threat of nuclear war at York Cold War Bunker! On a fascinating guided tour, learn how volunteers would have played a vital role in ensuring that Britain could survive a nuclear attack. The atmospheric 1960s semi-subterranean bunker is just as it was when stood down in 1991, and the one hour guided tour is enhanced by a short film. Summer opening (25th March - October 31st): Wednesday - Sunday, plus bank holidays, between 10am and 6pm. Entrance by guided tour from 10am, on the hour every hour. No need to book!
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
843 reviews
Excellent
634
Very good
182
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20
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5
Terrible
2
MARSHALLFAMILY_8
Southport, UK116 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Found this by accident, and what a find. Cost a tenner each and worth every penny. Our guide was very informative and came across with genuine passion in his subject. His tour was both interesting and funny. I will always remember Audrey and the thought of him trying to rescue the machine in case of fire. It also makes you appreciate the people who volunteered to live in these places for a month at a time in the knowledge that there may be nothing to come out to. Well worth a visit. You have to book in advance
Written March 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Muppet Master
North Wales, UK20 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Booked a few days before as we knew we would be in the area. I have to admit, my historical knowledge is shocking & I was just looking forward to a visit to an underground bunker but it was so much more than that.
Limited availability due to confined spaces (not in a scary way). Started off with a brief introduction outside then went inside. Only 4 of us at thay stage despite 12 in total being expected. Watched a short film about the Cold War & then the tour continued. Bit frustrating for the guides as the other stragglers arrived late but didn't impact on the tour.
We were shown around by Sion. He was so knowledgeable, explained everything in great detail and was so enthusiastic. We've been to other EH venues & guides have been on hand at various locations to answer questions but this was the 1st actual full-on tour by 1 guide throughout. Sion was amazing - so polite & a huge bonus was that I came away knowing what it was all about!
Would definitely recommend a visit as it's something of such importance that people need to appreciate. Fair play to EH for opening it up to visitors & maintaining our history.
Limited availability due to confined spaces (not in a scary way). Started off with a brief introduction outside then went inside. Only 4 of us at thay stage despite 12 in total being expected. Watched a short film about the Cold War & then the tour continued. Bit frustrating for the guides as the other stragglers arrived late but didn't impact on the tour.
We were shown around by Sion. He was so knowledgeable, explained everything in great detail and was so enthusiastic. We've been to other EH venues & guides have been on hand at various locations to answer questions but this was the 1st actual full-on tour by 1 guide throughout. Sion was amazing - so polite & a huge bonus was that I came away knowing what it was all about!
Would definitely recommend a visit as it's something of such importance that people need to appreciate. Fair play to EH for opening it up to visitors & maintaining our history.
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dwm55
Plymouth, UK13 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
A unique example of a Cold War bunker in near operational condition. Though small and compact the hour tour was interesting and was made better by our tour guide Ethan who used humour to help with the seriousness of the subject.
It painted a vivid picture of a near callamitous time in our history and makes one appreciate the dedication of the volunteers of the Royal Observer Corp who gave up there time to run these establishments.
It painted a vivid picture of a near callamitous time in our history and makes one appreciate the dedication of the volunteers of the Royal Observer Corp who gave up there time to run these establishments.
Written May 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
phil m
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Couples
Excellent tour of the bunker today. Our guide Jake was very knowledgeable and engaging. He did a great job of balancing the grim reality of the purpose of the bunker with the dedication of the volunteers who staffed it. Sobering stuff but really well presented. Well worth a visit for anyone interested in recent history.
Written March 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
airman21
Falmouth, UK72 contributions
Aug 2022
Well worth a visit if you are in York, our guide Sean was knowledgeable and engaging throughout. The visit puts the story of the site in the context of the wider cold war. Only a few minutes from the city centre and is an unusual site that English Heritage have done well to preserve for the future.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MJK
Coventry1,162 contributions
Jul 2022
Credit to English Heritage for buying this facility, restoring and saved for the next generations. It is absolutely unique for UK, even if it is not very deep and spacious structure, as it was purposed for the use of professional personnel rather than for sheltering people of York.
However the greatest credit is for the guys showing around the facility. They not only explain all preserved artefacts and equipment from the Cold War period, but also provide a lot of interesting facts about the people who served there when the bunker was in use.
Absolutely amazing and also eye-opening (what could happen) visit.
However the greatest credit is for the guys showing around the facility. They not only explain all preserved artefacts and equipment from the Cold War period, but also provide a lot of interesting facts about the people who served there when the bunker was in use.
Absolutely amazing and also eye-opening (what could happen) visit.
Written July 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jacandhow
Bedford, UK2,021 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Wow thank goodness that this Bunker was never actually put to the test it was in use from 1961 till 1991.
There were mainly woman volunteers when needed, they would enter the Bunker for 30 days with no outside contact.
In one room was Awdry a computer that could detect a nuclear blast, but unfortunately could not tell the difference between lightning, fireworks or nuclear flash so every November 5th she would detect fireworks in a large radius.
Someone had to go outside every few hours to change paper in a machine on the roof and then would need to be decomtaminated, which was basically a hand held shower, and the clothes had to be put into a hot box and sealed up.
We booked online via English heritage and it was a really fascinating tour. It is in a residential area with parking more or less outside
There were mainly woman volunteers when needed, they would enter the Bunker for 30 days with no outside contact.
In one room was Awdry a computer that could detect a nuclear blast, but unfortunately could not tell the difference between lightning, fireworks or nuclear flash so every November 5th she would detect fireworks in a large radius.
Someone had to go outside every few hours to change paper in a machine on the roof and then would need to be decomtaminated, which was basically a hand held shower, and the clothes had to be put into a hot box and sealed up.
We booked online via English heritage and it was a really fascinating tour. It is in a residential area with parking more or less outside
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SteveGYork
York, UK2 contributions
Apr 2022
Reopened on 1 April 2022 and visited first day. This site offers an insight into cold war emergency planning and more intriguingly/disturbingly what actually went on there over three decades with up to 60 volunteers crammed into a small space for what might be up to a month in the case of nuclear war.
The scene is set through a ten minute film followed by a really informative tour of around 45 minutes. The enthusiasm and knowledge of the guides is exemplary. Well worth making the trip.
The scene is set through a ten minute film followed by a really informative tour of around 45 minutes. The enthusiasm and knowledge of the guides is exemplary. Well worth making the trip.
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DrJoG
Leeds, UK78 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
We booked tickets online via English heritage website for 4pm tour on 6/11. It was pouring with rain but got the bus there only to find there was no 4pm tour and no-one had told us until we turned up. Really annoyed at inconvenience and disappoint caused. So we were just left there in the rain.
Written November 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David M
44 contributions
Jul 2022
A real piece of history, this former bunker has been preserved to tell the cold war story. The tour is about an hour, our guide (Jake) not only informative but very funny. Hard to imagine that nuclear defence was monitored in this unassuming part of York. Well worth the trip out - easily accessible from York centre.
Written August 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Will this be open in November?
Tracey T
Gainsborough, UK27 contributions
The English Heritage website is showing that it is open on Saturdays and Sundays in November. Remember you must book your tickets in advance, although we didn’t realise and just turned up. They advised they do allow a handful of walk ups so although website booking was full they let us in
Pete
Isle of Wight, UK
Is it dog friendly?
Apologies, but dogs aren't allowed inside the Bunker - it's a completely enclosed space. Regards, Steve
alicedaisy_19
Chesterfield, UK
I'm hoping to visit in December, how much time would you suggest i leave to visit the Cold War bunker?
SjT48
Suffolk, UK12 contributions
About an hour but tours start on the hour from 10am
alicedaisy_19
Chesterfield, UK
I'm hoping to visit in December, how much time would you suggest i leave to visit the Cold War bunker?
Sween63
Manchester, UK147 contributions
1 hour is good enough
milnealison6cows2018
London, UK15 contributions
Do they sell the York Cold War Bunker guidebook at the bunker itself?
HVetinari
Lincolnshire, UK153 contributions
Yes!
Hi we are coming down in April.and staying in the city centre. My son really wants to come along. If its a sunday what times do u open and can we get a bus from town?
Brian S
80 contributions
Check English Heritage website, and you can walk there from York town centre
JLE41
56 contributions
Will you be open through the week during feb half term at all? (12th-16th). Thanks.
Hi, the Bunker will still only be open at the Weekends until the end of March - then it will be open from Wed-Sun all through the Summer.
Thanks, Steve
t21yte
4 contributions
Is it open during week days in March
It's open at the Weekend through until the start of April, at which time it will be open from Wednesday through to Sunday. Private tours can be arranged (depending on a group size of 10 or more) with more information if you email us.
Ann B
Cambridge, UK63 contributions
Can one park there?
There is residential parking at the Bunker and there are usually free spaces. There is also parking on the nearest road and a larger supermarket car park about 10 mins walk away. Hope to see you there!
Kelly39
west yorkshire156 contributions
What are the entrance fees. Is there parking on site.
RachaelBowers
York38 contributions
Hi Kelly,
Tickets are £6.60 for adults, £5.90 for concessions and £4.00 for children. EH members get in free. There is free parking outside the bunker, do be sure to check the tour times before visiting.
York Cold War Bunker
Frequently Asked Questions about York Cold War Bunker
- York Cold War Bunker is open:
- Sat - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near York Cold War Bunker:
- (0.89 mi) Carlton House
- (0.82 mi) Apple House Guest Accommodation
- (0.62 mi) Best Western Kilima Hotel
- (1.09 mi) Alcuin Lodge
- (1.01 mi) Poplar House Serviced Apartments
- Restaurants near York Cold War Bunker:
- (0.06 mi) The Carlton Tavern
- (0.13 mi) Bluebird Bakery
- (0.17 mi) Zeera Spice
- (0.32 mi) New Basil
- (0.27 mi) Thomas the Bakers