Cold War nuclear bunker in Derbyshire up for auction at £20,000

A Cold War nuclear bunker in Wormhill, near Buxton in Derbyshire, is up for auction with a guide price between £15,000 and £20,000. While the bunker boasts lush velvet curtains and ample bed space, it lacks toilet facilities.

Designed to protect individuals during an atomic bomb attack, the underground shelter features a large image of a nuclear explosion, velvet curtains, a log burner, and room for a double bed. The auction is set for September 26. Despite its compact size, the bunker is described as having plenty of character.

Constructed in the 1950s by the Royal Observer Corps (ROC), the bunker was intended to safeguard employees during a nuclear attack. Decommissioned in 1991, it is one of approximately 1,500 bunkers built during the Cold War as Britain bolstered its defences amid growing nuclear threats. The bunker is said to be in “excellent condition,” though its interior is unusual.

Accessed via a hatch and 20ft ladder, the cosy studio room includes cream carpets, a sheepskin rug, cream velvet curtains, and a double bed with a bright yellow throw. A giant picture of a nuclear explosion adorns one wall.

Nearby storage space contains a camping gas hob, electric heater, and a stash of beer. The electrics and lights are powered by a large battery. Signs indicate the current owner may be a disaster ‘prepper’, evidenced by a shelf of tinned food and a book titled “Cold War Secret Nuclear Bunkers.” The bunker also includes original binoculars, a telephone, and old diagrams and instructions on the walls.

SDL Property Auctions describes the bunker as a “fantastic opportunity to buy a piece of past war British history.” The ROC nuclear bunker, also known as a Royal Observer post, was designed to house three observers during a nuclear attack, equipped with food, water, a landline, and radio communications for 14 days. After being decommissioned and sold off in 1993, many of these sites were repurposed by telecom companies for mobile phone masts.

The bunker remains secure and dry, with the current owner having refurbished and decorated it. Velvet curtains, a cream carpet, a made bed, a log burner, storage, and a rug add a homely touch.

However, not everyone is convinced of its suitability as a living space. On Reddit, one viewer questioned the absence of a bathroom, to which another replied that these observation posts originally had a chemical toilet behind the access ladder, which appears to be missing now.

Another commenter expressed reluctance to live in the bunker, stating, “No thank you. I would rather die in the blast.” Additionally, one noted that the final selling price might exceed the guide price, citing a similar bunker that recently sold for £48,000 after starting bids at £10,000.