Underground RAF Bunker Tours

RAF Holmpton
Rysome Lane
Withernsea
HU19 2QR

Tel: +44 (0)1964 630 208
Fax: +44 (0)1964 630 972
Email: info@rafholmpton.com
Web: http://www.rafholmpton.com


The guardroom is really all that can now be seen on the surface at Holmpton as the main building is some distance underground and covers about 26,000sq ft. (about the size of a supermarket or cinema). The original Radar Station has long since gone, leaving behind just 31 acres of green fields and a few small buildings. For years this place has remained a secret even in the local area, where most people simply did not know of the existence or purpose of such a substantial facility. Just one or two of them may have worked here but even today they 'cannot' tell their story.

Building started at Holmpton in 1951 and the bunker opened in 1954 serving until 1975 as an RAF Master Radar Station. In 1985 it was massively refurbished to form a new RAF Headquarters and closed in 1991 with the ending of the Cold War.

In 2003 RAF Holmpton became the home of a specialist archive unit holding records of all Cold War Underground estabilshments built in the UK between 1945 and the present day. As the archive provides a public reading room it was decided to open up much of the bunker for public tours, and these started in 2004 with regular updates each year.

Visitors can now go on a fully guided tour of this vast underground command centre, visiting the many rooms, plant and operational areas that make up this truly amazing headquarters. This is your chance to see at first hand how the RAF would have operated underground during the Cold War. Demonstrations, exhibitions and dramatic shows re-create the atmosphere and the centrepiece of the tour is the newly refurbished Radar Operations Room with its own dramatic multi-visual presentation.

Visitors should be aware of: Some quite long walks - Three staircases - No wheelchair access at present - Entirely underground - Not suitable for children under 5yrs.

No smoking throughout - WC's - Cafe - Large Free Car Park - Coach Park - Shop.

Visitor restrictions may apply,(Bunker is still a working environment)

 

Opening Times
(2007 times)
February 17th to April 1st: - Every Friday/Saturday/Sunday
Gates 2.00pm - Tour 2.30pm.

April 6th to April 22nd: Every Day
Gates 2.00pm - Tour 2.30pm.Easter Bank Holiday: Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon with extra tour.Gates 10.00am - Tour 10.30am.

April 26th to June 30th:
Every Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday.
Gates 2.00pm - Tour 2.30pm.

Spring Bank Holidays: Sat/Sun/Mon with extra tour.
Gates 10.00am - Tour 10.30am.

July 1st to September 9th: Every Day.
Gates 2.00pm - Tour 2.20pm.

August Bank Holiday: Sat/Sun/Mon with extra tour.
Gates 10.00am - Tour 10.30am.

September 15th to December 1st: Every Saturday/Sunday.
Gates 2.00pm - Tour 2-30pm.

Admission Charges
(2007 prices)
Adult £5.00; Senior Citizen £4.50; Child £4.00; Disabled/Student/Unwaged £3.00;

Family (2 adults + 3 children) £16.00; Saver Ticket 4 Adults/Senior Citizens £16.00.

Group Visits, Educational Visits, Evening Tours are available throughout the year by advance booking. There are discount rates for groups.

Directions
From Withernsea on the A 1033(just opposite the TOTAL petrol, station: Follow the brown Underground Bunker Signs right to our gate. (RAF Holmpton is just 3 miles south of Withernsea) - Hull & Bridlington 20 Miles - York, Scarborough & Cleethorpes 50 Miles.
Show map of Underground RAF Bunker Tours...

Nearby Attractions
Pleasure Island Theme Park (10 Miles)*
Pleasure Island is packed with fun, thrills and spills! Whether its Dad surging on the Hyper Blaster or Mum grooving to the Musical Time Machine a fantastic day out is guaranteed for all.
Hull and East Riding Museum (16 Miles)*
Located in the attractive Museums Quarter, the Hull and East Riding Museum boasts some of the most spectacular natural history and archaeology displays in Britain.
Elsham Hall Gardens and Country Park (21 Miles)*
The beautiful lakeside gardens at Elsham Hall were founded by Captain and Mrs Elwes in 1970 to encourage a wider understanding of natural history, the arts and rural crafts and provide an enjoyable and educational day out for all the family.
more nearby attractions...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Nearby Hotels
The St James' Hotel (11 Miles)*
The St James' Hotel is situated in the heart of Grimsby, close to Cleethorpes, Lincoln and Sheffield, with an award-winning Fishing Heritage Centre within close walking distance.
Elizabeth Grimsby (11 Miles)*
The Elizabeth Grimsby offers comfortable accommodation with the majority of rooms with balconies overlooking the golf course. The hotel is within easy reach of the Humber Estuary nature reserves, and the towns of Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes.
Legacy Oaklands Country House Hotel (14 Miles)*
Nestling in acres of parkland between the Lincolnshire Wolds and River Humber, The Legacy Oaklands Hotel is a perfect haven of peace and tranquillity from where you can explore both historic Lincolnshire, including the family seaside town of Cleethorpe...
more nearby hotels...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Nearby Self Catering
Beach House (11 Miles)*
Beach House is a spotlessly clean 3 bedroomed selfcatering house in an exclusive area of central Cleethorpes. Newly opened in 2008 Beach House provides very high standard facilities and sleeps up to 6 people.
Lilac Cottage (11 Miles)*
This small terraced cottage combines a good deal of charm and character with a pleasant and peaceful East Yorkshire coastal village location. Aldbrough is situated in the vale of Holderness, 12 miles north of the City of Hull.
Cedar Park Cottages (14 Miles)*
Cedar Park has a collection of superb Bluebell Cottage and Poppy Cottage are a converted stable block surrounding a lovely furnished Courtyard. Set in 5 acres of lovely tranquil meadows. Come and enjoy the big blue skies and the wide open
Your property could be here
Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
more nearby self catering...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Popular Pages

Tourist Information Centres | Estate Agents

Holiday Cottages in England | Holiday Cottages in Scotland

Alton Towers Hotels | Blackpool Hotels | Travel Lodge | Cardiff Hotels

Brighton Hotels | Marriot Hotels | Newcastle Hotels | Bournemouth Hotels

 Copyright © 1999-2008 Excelsior Information Systems Limited. All rights reserved.
Press Room  Terms of Use  Privacy  Link to Us  Self-Catering Advertising  Index  Site Map