When was the bunker decommissioned?
1993.
How many people worked here?
135 civil servants, a secretariat of 25 and a Regional Commissioner.
How long has it been open as a museum?
We opened in the Easter holiday of 1997.
How thick are the walls?
6.5 foot or 2 metres.
Who owns the bunker?
The bunker is owned privately by an individual. The museum is run by a private trust, The Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker.
Is this as deep as it goes? How deep is it? How many floors are there?
Yes, the bunker has two main floors and a mezzanine level. The two floors are open to the public and the mezzanine is closed off as it is in use. The bunker is approximately 40ft deep.
What does ‘bikini alert’ mean?
This is an alert state that indicates the level of threat in Britain. There are 5 bikini levels: White, Black, Black Special, Amber and Red. The word was chosen randomly by a computer and is wrongly associated with the Bikini Atoll tests.
How long could they survive in the bunker?
The bunker has its own life support system including air, water and power supply, all are still operational. The people in the bunker could have survived for three months without supply, but with regular supply they could have been here indefinitely.
When was it built?
The first bunker was built as part of ROTOR in 1952 and the bunker was reconfigured at the cost of £32million between 1979-1983. Thats more than £160 million in today’s money!
Where are the generators? Why are they not underground? Why can I not see them?
The generators are closed off in a generator block attached to the building but with access from the outside only. They are closed off for safety reasons. They are above ground again for safety reasons. Our generators are still fully functional and online 24 hours a day waiting to pick up the power should the national grid go down. Therefore there is no visitor access. You can see a tour of our generators here on our Video Gallery.
Can I bring my dog? Are you dog friendly?
Yes! Our canine operatives are most welcome. Dogs are allowed everywhere onsite and are welcome to a bowl of water and dog biscuit in the N.A.A.F.I Canteen.
Can I get radiation sickness from visiting the bunker?
No. Don’t worry, there is no danger of radiation sickness. The radiation inside the bunker is within safe levels.
Why isn’t there a lift?
Unfortunately we are not able to fit a lift without damaging or detracting from the building. Bunkers are a valuable part of our Cold War heritage and we want to preserve it in every way that we can. We did build the large ramp so that there is access to the top level, as previously there was no disabled access at all.
Why is there a cat at the bunker? Who’s Goulash?
We have a bunker cat, who first came along with our Museum Director Lucy. Goulash loves it so much he stays here all the time. Goulash is a valuable member of the Bunker Team. He helps greet the visitors and keeps an eye on the Spy Mice. The question should not be why cats, but why not cats!!
Is everyone who works at the bunker a volunteer?
While we have occasional volunteers who help all of our day-to-day staff who work or reception, shop, canteen and in administration are paid employees. This is so that we can provide jobs to the local area and provide continuity.
Why aren’t there tour guides?
There are a few reasons. Firstly, a guided tour either with a person or an audio device distracts from the full experience of the bunker, you do not get the chance to look at everything as much as you want and it distances you from the full sights, smells and sounds of the bunker. Secondly, tour guides are quite expensive and currently we aren’t able to afford extra staff. We are in the process of producing a more structured tour, so keep posted!!
Why aren’t there any concessions?
Unfortunately we cannot offer concessions as we need very penny to keep running the site. However, we are always reviewing our policies and the museum to make sure you have the very best bunker experience.
Is everything real? Was everything left here when the MOD left?
Everything in the bunker is a real artefact. When we first came to the bunker there was nothing but the stainless steel good in the kitchen. Everything in the collection has been collected by our founder Rodney Siebert or donated to the museum. We have recreated the bunker as close as we can based on photographic records and previous bunker staff.
Where did it all come from?
All over the country and the world. From militaria sales to car boot sales to eBay! A large amount of the collection was ‘liberated’ from other bunkers around the country that were being closed and scrapped. Most of the artefacts are irreplaceable and unique. We believe to be one of the largest collections of Cold War artefacts in the country, if not Europe!
Why is there Russian stuff at the bunker? What does it have to do with Russia?
The Cold War was a battle of wits, policies and much more between the East and West, focusing primarily with Russia vs. America. We were prepared to protect Britain against the Soviet Threat but they were equally prepared to protect themselves against us. Therefore, at Hack Green, we wanted to show you a view of both sides of the coin.
Are there ghosts in the bunker? What are the ghost hunts about?
For many years paranormal investigators have been drawn to Hack Green to uncover its hidden past. During our ghost hunts they search for proof and contact with the spirits of the bunker. Are the ghosts at Hack Green, that if for you to decide...!
