26 October 2019
|
The Battle of Britain Bunker
Hillingdon Council’s Battle of Britain Bunker Exhibition and Visitor Centre has won the Best Small Building trophy at the Society for Public Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Surveying (SPACES) national awards.
The visitor centre was also named runner up in the overall national Civic Building of the Year category at the awards, which are for public sector organisations. The ceremony took place at the Penter Hotel in Reading on Thursday 17 October.
Judges were impressed by the modern architecture and quality of the new building, which sits alongside the iconic Grade 1 listed bunker. The visitor centre was constructed following a £6 million investment from the council to preserve and complement the original 1939 bunker. The new building's design was modelled on the appearance of a high-tech fighter aircraft.
The bunker and state-of-the-art visitor centre provide an education and exhibition space where residents and visitors can learn about the crucial role the bunker played in the air defence of the United Kingdom throughout World War II. The bunker was vital in directing RAF operations and was visited by both Winston Churchill and King George VI in 1940.
Cllr Richard Lewis, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Central Services, Culture and Heritage, said, “We are delighted that the Battle of Britain Bunker Exhibition and Visitor Centre has been honoured with a SPACES award. It is wonderful that the judges recognised this amazing museum and heritage site, which has attracted more than 35,000 visitors since its official opening in 2018 and which provides a great interactive experience for everyone.”
The Battle of Britain Bunker and Visitor Centre has a five-star rating on TripAdvisor, with 97% of users rating it either excellent or very good (based on 500 comments).
The site is open from 10am to 4.30pm. Admission is free for Hillingdon residents attending with a HillingdonFirst card, under 18s, and Defence Discount Service cardholders. The cost is £4 for adults (£7 including a bunker tour) and £3 for over 65s (£5 including a bunker tour). The site is located in Wren Avenue, Uxbridge, UB10 0RN. Find out more at battleofbritainbunker.co.uk.
IT'S HERE! A Guide to Collecting German Militaria is the new bookazine from the publisher of The Armourer and is now on sale. This 132 page, perfect bound magazine is your guide to collecting Imperial and Third Reich militaria, from medals and cuff titles, to uniforms, weapons, personal gear and civic awards. We cover rare awards, how to spot fakes and include current prices. There's limited stock of the print version on our website so if they've sold out either head for your local branch of WH Smith, as the main stockist, or buy a digital version.
Don't forget, 100 Years of the RAF, a commemorative bookazine celebrating 100 years since the formation of the RAF, is now on sale. Order your copy by clicking on 100 RAF.
Catch up on militaria news, order a back issue of The Armourer, or pick up the latest issue, in either print or digital format. Like what you see? Why not take out a subscription, save money and have it delivered to your door.