The WTBS Today
In spite of the close down of the WTBS in 1992, as part of the wind-down of UK Civil Defence, many glimpses of the Deferred Facilities, the service would have used, remain. Some can be visited, whilst others are off limits through being in private hands or re-purposed and so still in use.
Wood Norton Hall
Wood Norton Hall is now a luxury hotel, much improved since the BBC owned it! Why not visit for afternoon tea?! I have, it's recommended!
Echoes of its former use can still be seen.
Behind the Hall is the BBC premises which still has the bunker, built in the late 1960s as the HQ of the WTBS.
The bunker is still an active part of BBC operations and is CLOSED to the public.
This website does not endorse trepass on private property .
Drakelow Tunnels
The fomer WW2 Rover "shadow factory" was repurposed in the Cold War to become first RSG for Region 9 - Midlands then later RGHQ for Region 9.2.
It is in the care of a dedicated trust of volunteers who are restoring part of the comlex to reflect its use as a factory through to a Cold War Civil Defence bunker.
They hold open days to visit by appointment.
The WTBS studio is not in its orginal location, but does have some of the equipment it used at the time.
Hack Green Bunker Museum
Hack Green bunker in Cheshire was formerly the RGHQ for Civil Defence Region 10.2 - North West region. It was bought by an ex-member of the Royal Observer Corps and is now a vey good Cold War themed museum.
The equipment in the WTBS studio was moved from Culltybraggen in Scotland (Region 1.1) when it was sold off.
It is a near representation of what a 1980s period WTBS studio would have looked like.
Kelvedon Hatch Bunker Museum
Kelevedon Hatch in Essex was the RGHQ for Region 5.1 (Greater London) it is now a Cold War themed museum as well as offering other attractions.
The WTBS studio can be visited as part of the bunker tour.
Anstruther Bunker Museum
What was Scotland's Northern Zone RSG, later Region 1.2 RGHQ bunker, this facility is now a Cold War themed museum.
It offers a very good visitor experience to see and understand the Cold War Civil Defence period.
The WTBS studio is part of the display and depicts the earlier BBC WTBS facility with separate studio and control room areas.
"The Warden, a Major Basil Oldman, was probably the resident MI5 rep on this BBC outpost and took the security of the bunker very seriously."
A T - BBC staff, on the building of the BBC bunker at Wood Norton