Online auctions are usually filled with fragile antiques and niche memorabilia that ought not to be touched. Those looking for something a bit more durable are now in luck.
A Cold War nuclear bunker in the Norfolk Broads has been put up for sale for £10,000, offering a rare chance to own a piece of British post-war history. Built in the 1950s to withstand a nuclear attack, the bunker could be ideal for a quirky buyer seeking a unique space, perhaps even a wine cellar.
The site in Church Road in Repps-With-Bastwick was one of the many observation posts built by the Ministry of Defence in the 1950s and 1960s for people to detect and report a nuclear disaster. The bunkers were designed to withstand radiation for the people inside and were fully equipped with radiological instruments.
The bunker, which is described by auctioneers as a “rare opportunity to purchase a piece of British postwar history” but it has “extremely limited accommodation”, comes with a £10,000 to £20,000 guide price for next month’s 24-hour auction. It is one of many observation posts built during the 1950s, according to the auctioneer Trevor Blythe, from Brown&Co estate agents. He said there were about 1,500 similar bunkers built around the UK and some of them had sold for good money.
He said: “Observation posts like the one we are selling were built to provide protective, but extremely limited, accommodation for three observers in the event of a nuclear attack.”
Guests must open a hatch and then descend a ladder to seek refuge (Image: Brown&Co). Guests must descend a ladder to access the cramped bunker which is deep underground. The bunker's cramped main space fits just three people (Image: Brown&Co). Its main space, still equipped with a desk, is only big enough to fit three people. An illustrative side view of the bunker - which would have once had a bunk bed (Image: Brown&Co). The observation post sits completely secluded in the Norfolk countryside (Image: Brown&Co).
Fred Sharman, the owner, told the BBC: “There’s no facilities of electric, toilet or water but there is what I call a ‘bucket and chuck-it’ toilet. I think it’s going to be someone a bit quirky. I don’t think it’s the everyday person’s sort of thing but it’s whatever floats your boat and maybe that person’s out there.
“I saw one advertised and I thought: I’ve got one of those, and thought I’d see what I could do with it. If someone sees it and it’s something that they want, and it’s in their money margin, then I’ve got nothing to lose. It’s just a lump of concrete to me.”
Blythe said the bunker was not very practical nowadays. “I don’t think there’s any specific use for it. Maybe a wine cellar, but that’s about it. I can’t think of any other use for it except to come down and enjoy it for what it is; a hole in the ground.”
The online auction is set to open at 11am on November 12 and the bunker has a guide price of £10,000 to £20,000.
A Piece of Cold War History
The bunker's unusual listing has generated a lot of interest, with many people suggesting it could be a particularly useful piece of real estate 'the way things are going at the moment' - presumably referring to the threat of nuclear war in Europe.
Social media users branded the property 'quirky' and 'the right size for a gaming cave', with others said that they 'love it' and hailed it 'deliciously weird'.
What's the Appeal?
The bunker's appeal lies in its unique history and the opportunity to own a piece of the Cold War. It is a reminder of a time when the world was on the brink of nuclear annihilation. But it also offers a unique and unusual space that could be used for a variety of purposes.
Whether it is used as a wine cellar, a gaming cave, or simply a place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the bunker is sure to be a conversation starter. It is a reminder that history is all around us, even in the most unexpected places.
Beyond the Norfolk Broads: A Trend of Bunker Sales
The sale of the Norfolk Broads bunker is just one example of a growing trend of Cold War bunkers being put up for sale. As the world becomes increasingly uncertain, people are looking for ways to protect themselves and their families.
In recent years, a number of bunkers have been sold, including a refurbished nuclear bunker in Wormhill, near Buxton in Derbyshire, which went under the hammer for £15,000 last month. Another nuclear fallout shelter with stunning views of the Lake District sold for £48,000 in July.
These sales are a reflection of the growing demand for safe havens in an increasingly uncertain world. As the threat of nuclear war remains a real possibility, it is likely that more Cold War bunkers will be put up for sale in the coming years.
From Historical Relic to Home: A Question of Planning
It is important to note that any change of use or conversion for holiday accommodation would likely require consent from the local planning authority. Blythe said: “I think it’s highly unlikely, I don’t think the local planners would allow anything specific because it would open the floodgates, but you never know.”
The sale of the Norfolk Broads bunker is sure to spark debate about the legacy of the Cold War and the role of bunkers in modern society. But one thing is for sure: this unique piece of history is sure to find a buyer, whether they are a history buff, a quirky collector, or simply someone looking for a unique space to call their own.
