ABOUT US

The Battle of Britain Bunker housed RAF Fighter Command’s No.11 Group Operations Room throughout the Second World War, the room from which most of the RAF Fighter Command’s side of the Battle of Britain was co-ordinated. Key decisions that would decide the fate of the nation were taken in the Bunker throughout 1940 and it was thanks to the tireless work of the plotters and controllers that the RAF’s fighter pilots managed to keep the Luftwaffe at bay.

The Bunker is a series of rooms on two levels some 60 feet (18 metres) underground. The Operations Room- or plotting room- with its large map table, squadron display boards, balloon and weather states, is exactly how it was when Winston Churchill visited on 15 September 1940, and where he first spoke his famous phrase:

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.

ACCESSIBILITY

We hope the following information will help you plan your trip to the Bunker. If you require any further information, please contact us. 

VISITOR CENTRE AND EXHIBITION

The Visitor Centre and Exhibition space is fully accessible, with lifts and wheelchair access. There is also a Reception Desk at the entrance to the Visitor Centre, where staff are happy to help with any questions you may have.  

As a Grade I listed building, the Bunker and the Operations Room can only be accessed via 77 steps. There is no lift or ramp access. For visitors with reduced mobility, we can provide a pre-recorded virtual Bunker Tour in our wheelchair accessible auditorium. The tour comes free with a Visitor Centre and Exhibition ticket. 

There are benches in the Exhibition and chairs in the Bunker. We do not have folding, portable stools. We do not have a cloakroom or lockers. 

Assistance dogs are welcome in the Visitor Centre and Exhibition. Dog bowls and water are available on our terrace. 

Carers can enter free of charge. 

FACILITIES

There are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities on every floor of the Visitor Centre, and toilets in the Bunker. 

Unfortunately, we currently do not have a Changing Places toilet. Your nearest Changing Places toilet is located in Uxbridge town centre;  

Intu Uxbridge Shopping Centre 
Uxbridge 
Greater London 
UB8 1GE 
GB 

Please see the Changing Places website for more locations.

ACCESSIBLE CAR PARKING

There are four disabled and five brown badge parking spaces available in our upper car park.

ACCESS TOOLS

The following areas are fitted with a hearing loop;  

• Bunker Operations Room  
• Auditorium  

Our pre-recorded Bunker Tour has subtitle availability and is showcased in our wheelchair accessible auditorium. 

Please download our sensory map to familiarise yourself with site, the staff, and the areas that can be quite busy and noisy! The Bunker and Exhibition do not feature flashing lights, smoke effects or strobe lighting but there are loud sound effects in our exhibition (telephone rings) and in our Bunker’s soundscape. 

Quiet Place and Prayer Room availability on request at reception.  

ACCESS EVENTS

We currently do Touch Tours and Quiet Bunker Hours on request. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more.