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A unique piece of Cold War history is up for grabs on the edge of Dartmoor: a 122 sq ft nuclear bunker is set to be auctioned with a guide price of £12,000. Hidden underground and accessible only via a 15-foot vertical shaft and rusty ladder, the bunker near the village of Ugborough is far from your typical real estate listing. Prospective buyers are even warned to “exercise extreme caution” when viewing the property, with the tour being taken entirely at one’s own risk.

 

 

The bunker, which lacks windows and modern amenities, offers only the barest of creature comforts. Its interior features a 70-year-old iron bunk bed, a chemical toilet, a worn fire blanket, and a few battered wooden shelves and cupboards. Originally designed to detect nuclear threats, this Cold War-era Royal Observer Corps (ROC) bunker was a vital part of Britain’s defense strategy during a time of heightened tension between the West and the Soviet Union.

 

 

The bunker’s current owner, 76-year-old retired engineer David Cavendish, purchased the property nearly two decades ago for £5,000, after stumbling across a newspaper article on Cold War bunkers. Cavendish, a member of Subterranea Britannica (Sub Brit), a society dedicated to studying man-made underground spaces, explained, “It sounded like an interesting curiosity, so I went for it.” Despite his interest in the Cold War, Cavendish insists he’s not a fanatic, but enjoys reading about the era. 

 

Interestingly, Cavendish never spent a night in the bunker. “I’ve never had the courage to lock myself in,” he admitted. “I can’t say I’m claustrophobic, but I wouldn’t like to do it.” The bunker would have been manned by three civilian volunteers during the Cold War, who took turns working eight-hour shifts, constantly on the lookout for potential Russian nuclear missiles.

 

 

Cavendish, who checked on the bunker two or three times a year, noted that he grew fond of the surrounding Devon countryside. His children, however, showed little interest in the site, and after 19 years, he decided it was time to sell. "I haven't found an alternative use for it, and as I am getting older, it's time to part company."

 

The retired engineer acknowledged that his wife was initially less than enthusiastic about the purchase. “She thinks I was slightly cranky, and I didn’t tell her I’d bought it, but she found out later,” Cavendish said. Despite her initial reservations, it seems the bunker has remained a quirky, if underused, addition to the family's life.

 

A handful of interested parties have already signed up to bid at Monday’s online auction, according to the estate agent, Luscombe Maye. The agent advises potential buyers to be cautious, noting in the advertisement that the bunker shows signs of water damage and “some water ingress and damage to the lid.”

 

The bunker is one of about 1,500 built in the UK between 1956 and the 1960s. While these shelters were designed for use by ROC volunteers, they were not intended for the general public. Despite the small size and lack of modern conveniences, Cavendish believes the new owner might find a way to enjoy the site. He joked that buyers could “pitch a tent next to it and spend a nice time there.”

 

For those fascinated by Cold War relics or looking for an unusual piece of real estate, this bunker offers a rare opportunity—just be prepared for an unconventional living experience.

 

Based on a report from the Daily Telegraph 2024-10-21