This report is only the bunker section, my report on the above ground site that we did a couple of years ago is here - Report - - RAF Bawdsey R3 Rotor Radar Station Bunker, Suffolk - Nov 23 | Military Sites
Bawdsey ROTOR Bunker
History
The Bawdsey ROTOR bunker was part of Britain’s Cold War air defence network, evolving from its role as the world’s first operational radar station during World War II. Originally a key Chain Home site that helped detect incoming German aircraft in the Battle of Britain, it was later upgraded in the 1950s under the ROTOR programme to counter the growing Soviet threat. A two-level underground bunker was constructed, housing Type 80 radar systems, signal relay rooms, and air filtration units to protect against chemical or nuclear attacks. This bunker served as a vital operations hub, detecting and tracking enemy aircraft over the North Sea and relaying intelligence to RAF Fighter Command. The Minerva fire suppression system and thousands of signal relays found in its depths were crucial for processing radar signals in real time.
By the 1960s, advancements in missile technology rendered the ROTOR system obsolete, leading to Bawdsey’s decommissioning. The radar site remained in limited use for some time, but the bunker was eventually abandoned, leaving much of its original infrastructure intact. Today, the site is best known for its World War II radar history, with the underground ROTOR bunker serving as a hidden relic of Cold War paranoia.
The Explore
After missing out on the bunker in our previous attempt around two years ago, we moved on from the fact that we’d get the opportunity to ever get in. I did however, always get the feeling of it being the one that got away from us.Around two years later, I decided it wouldn’t hurt asking if anyone had got in since we went. This led me to some videos which confirmed that we’d be able to get in. We decided to go that night. We arrive at around 12:00, the moon was covered and visibility was low. Luckily we had knowledge of the area and knew our way in and around the site well enough. Lights were so exposing so we kept them off on our way there and back. The silhouettes of the derelict buildings were eerie, and at times the darkness manipulated your eyes to make out objects as people. On approach to the entrance I set myself up for disappointment as I was half expecting the entrance to be closed again, but it wasn’t and after a tight squeeze we were in. The first impression of the bunker was like no other explore I had done before . A large staircase leading down underground to the first floor of the bunker. The scale of this place was next level. It took us six minutes to walk from one side to the other and I expect it to be a couple hundred meters in length. When down their, it was easy to visualise the system this bunker had in place. Here are the pictures:
Emergency Exit Stairs
Bawdsey ROTOR Bunker
History
The Bawdsey ROTOR bunker was part of Britain’s Cold War air defence network, evolving from its role as the world’s first operational radar station during World War II. Originally a key Chain Home site that helped detect incoming German aircraft in the Battle of Britain, it was later upgraded in the 1950s under the ROTOR programme to counter the growing Soviet threat. A two-level underground bunker was constructed, housing Type 80 radar systems, signal relay rooms, and air filtration units to protect against chemical or nuclear attacks. This bunker served as a vital operations hub, detecting and tracking enemy aircraft over the North Sea and relaying intelligence to RAF Fighter Command. The Minerva fire suppression system and thousands of signal relays found in its depths were crucial for processing radar signals in real time.
By the 1960s, advancements in missile technology rendered the ROTOR system obsolete, leading to Bawdsey’s decommissioning. The radar site remained in limited use for some time, but the bunker was eventually abandoned, leaving much of its original infrastructure intact. Today, the site is best known for its World War II radar history, with the underground ROTOR bunker serving as a hidden relic of Cold War paranoia.
The Explore
After missing out on the bunker in our previous attempt around two years ago, we moved on from the fact that we’d get the opportunity to ever get in. I did however, always get the feeling of it being the one that got away from us.Around two years later, I decided it wouldn’t hurt asking if anyone had got in since we went. This led me to some videos which confirmed that we’d be able to get in. We decided to go that night. We arrive at around 12:00, the moon was covered and visibility was low. Luckily we had knowledge of the area and knew our way in and around the site well enough. Lights were so exposing so we kept them off on our way there and back. The silhouettes of the derelict buildings were eerie, and at times the darkness manipulated your eyes to make out objects as people. On approach to the entrance I set myself up for disappointment as I was half expecting the entrance to be closed again, but it wasn’t and after a tight squeeze we were in. The first impression of the bunker was like no other explore I had done before . A large staircase leading down underground to the first floor of the bunker. The scale of this place was next level. It took us six minutes to walk from one side to the other and I expect it to be a couple hundred meters in length. When down their, it was easy to visualise the system this bunker had in place. Here are the pictures:
Emergency Exit Stairs
Minerva Fire Detection System
Other Parts Of The Bunker
Other Parts Of The Bunker
In a lot of these places I tend to get confused by the lack of vandalism when it comes to vintage signage and electrics/machinery.
Speaking of, the signs in this place were some of the best I've seen, mainly due to the fact that they were addressing people in the bunker. Ill put some pictures of them below.
Now I must admit that I'm not usually the one who enjoys the electrics, but the amount of effort put into wiring this place was mind blowing. Hundreds if not thousands of relays, signal relays specifically. These pictures are just snapshots of the vast amount of wiring in this place.
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