A rare Cold War relic tucked away beneath a hillside in the village of Hallen, near Bristol, is about to be auctioned — and it’s unlike anything else on the property market.
Set with a modest guide price of £20,000, the underground bunker, once built to endure a nuclear strike, is now catching the eye of history enthusiasts, collectors, and even doomsday preppers.
Its entrance is indistinguishable, hidden behind thickets of wild blackberry brambles on a quiet hillside, commanding views of tranquil farmland and the Severn Estuary. What lies hidden beneath, though, is worlds away from its picturesque surroundings.
This isn’t just an old concrete room. It’s part of a vast network of around 1,500 bunkers constructed across Britain for the Royal Observer Corps.
These civil defence outposts were intended to monitor nuclear explosions and fallout during the Cold War. Fortunately, their services were never called upon.
While most of these bunkers have faded into obscurity, a few have resurfaced in recent years through auctions.
One similar bunker in Yorkshire Dales National Park fetched a surprising £48,000 last year, despite being listed at £15,000. That buyer has since filed plans to turn it into a quirky tourist stop.
“Discreetly Integrated” and Ready for Reinvention
Above ground, the Hallen bunker looks like little more than a slab of concrete held fast by a chain and some unobtrusive steps down into the ground.
Below ground, though, it’s a different matter entirely. Not glamorous, but very intriguing. One solitary underground room, Room One, covers about 128 square feet (11.8 square metres).
The room is bare: peeling paint, a broken floor, utilitarian shelving, a compact built-in surface, two plastic chairs that are worn through, and a single metal bed frame without a mattress. It’s a canvas for the creatively challenged.
The access hatch leads down via a narrow ladder into a tiny hallway. There’s even a makeshift “water closet” fitted with a primitive chemical toilet. Bare essentials? Absolutely. But that’s part of its charm.
Promoters have leaned into the property’s uniqueness with a bit of flair.
“Ideal for those with a unique taste for historical relics and rare investment opportunities,” declares the listing by David Plaister Ltd. Auctions.
The floor plan makes one think the area might be converted into a personal wine cellar, secure utility space or even a private safe room. Whether collector, survivalist, or just intrigued by the quirky and historic, the possibilities are endless.
Last Sold in 1995 – Now Available Solo
The bunker last changed hands in 1995 as part of a broader land purchase. This time, it’s being sold separately from the main property. The current owner, who never had to use it, is staying put.
“It’s just kind of part of the property that she bought. She had no particular need for it, which is good,” said Sophie Thorne, who is handling the 25th September auction. That casual attitude might just work in a buyer’s favour.
Historic Quirk or Investment Opportunity?
Whether you’re in the market for a slice of Britain’s military past, a low-cost bolt-hole, or a conversion project with serious conversation value, this auction offers something truly out of the ordinary.
- Auction Date: 25th September
- Guide Price: £20,000
- Location: Hallen, near Bristol
Don’t let the overgrown brambles fool you, beneath lies a genuine Cold War bunker that’s as curious as it is collectable.
