A Cumbrian nuclear bunker has been sold for £48,000.
The last lot in an online auction from SDL Property Auctions, the hammer came down after some fast bidding for the bunker, near Dent Railway Station.
It had a high level of interest with 65 different bidders – via internet, phone and proxy – with 25 people viewing the bunker before the auction.
It had a guide price of between £15,000 and £20,000 and came complete with its own parking.
It has featured in the national press.
Also known as a Royal Observer Post, it was built in the 1950s and was designed to provide protective accommodation for three observers to survive a nuclear attack, 15ft below the surface.
The threat of the Cold War loomed large and nuclear war was a real threat.
The survivors were expected to report on the nuclear bursts and on the fallout of a nuclear attack.
They were provided with enough food and water for 14 days and had a landline and radio communications available to them.
Most of these sites were decommissioned and sold in 1993, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
Many were bought by telecom companies and now are sites for mobile phone masts as they were built as telecommunication posts.
The landline is connected and live and the bunker can also have broadband connected.
Andrew Parker, managing director and auctioneer at SDL Property Auctions, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to purchase a piece of post-war British history.
“It is in excellent condition, redecorated, clean, dry and secure and comes with a plot of land with gate for access and secure off-road parking. It even comes with an active phone line suitable for broadband.
“It’s a privilege to be able to sell a unique lot such as this and it follows SDL Property Auctions selling a similar nuclear bunker in Louth in 2022. We’ve already received significant interest on this lot and we anticipate a high level of bidders and online viewers on auction day.”
There are around 258 bunkers left across the UK – most have been demolished and no traces remain. Subterranea Britannica has details here.
In 2003, bunkers in Flookburgh and Hawkshead were auctioned off. The Flookburgh bunker was sold for £25,100. The Hawkshead bunker was sold to a telecoms firm but in 2004 was back on the market.
The current owner has also placed a shed on site. The site also has its own gate to access the land it comes with and vehicular access from the road over the land for access.
