Battle of Britain Bunker - Uxbridge

Łukasz T.

Visiting the museum was a deeply moving and meaningful experience. I was especially impressed by the exhibition dedicated to the Polish pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain. The words of Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding — “Had it not been for the magnificent work of the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry…” — perfectly capture the crucial role these brave men played in shaping the outcome of the war.

This museum not only preserves history but also inspires a sense of pride and reflection. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated — informative, respectful, and emotionally powerful. It’s a place well worth visiting, both to honor the past and to better understand the sacrifices made for freedom.

Mark F.

An excellent exhibition museum with highly engaging guides. The Battle of Britain scenario was really well depicted in the ops rooms in the underground bunker.
The modern museum above ground has many down to earth picture and audio descriptions explaining the realities of war for those engaged with this secret work controlling GBs air defense system that undoubtedly staved off an invasion.
The museum is light and airy with a good cafe if you need a rest bite during your visit.

Terry M.

This is a wonderful place to visit set in a peaceful area
It's the last remaining control centre for the battle of Britain it's all the original fixtures and fittings as it was in 1940.
You get a guided tour of the bunker.
The guides are excellent.
But if anyone has difficulty with steps it is about 76 steps to the bunker floor.
But it is worth a visit if possible

rob S.

I highly recommend the tour/talk of the bunker to really understand how the defence system in 1940 worked. You go in thinking spitfires were just scrambled on enemy sightings but this operational command centre quickly puts things into perspective. The pressure the people that worked here must have been under, making life and death decisions based on rather crude (but seemingly effective) systems, still feels incredible to experience in a way all these years later. Even better, Winston Churchill himself was here on 15th September 1940 to witness that critical day in British & world history!

Mark J.

The Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge is a profoundly moving and meticulously preserved piece of British wartime history. The highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the underground operations bunker, which was the nerve centre for No. 11 Group RAF during the Battle of Britain.

Located 60 feet below ground, the bunker was built in the late 1930s and played a pivotal role in the coordination of fighter aircraft during some of the most intense air battles of the Second World War. It is here that Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park and his team directed RAF squadrons during critical engagements, including 15 September 1940, now commemorated as Battle of Britain Day. Even Winston Churchill observed operations from this very room, famously declaring, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

The operations room has been painstakingly restored to its wartime configuration, with the original plotting table, clock, coloured lights, and wall maps all recreated or preserved to extraordinary effect. Visitors get a real sense of the pressure, coordination, and teamwork that went into every radar report and fighter dispatch. Period sounds and commentary complete the experience, offering a chillingly realistic insight into the 24-hour operations that took place here.

Access to the bunker is by guided tour only, which is a real strength of the experience. The guides—many of whom are veterans or passionate historians—bring the space to life with personal stories, strategic explanations, and poignant details about the individuals who worked there under immense pressure.

The descent into the bunker itself is via a long staircase, adding to the atmosphere of secrecy and security. While the stairs might be a challenge for some, the team is very accommodating and can offer alternatives if needed.

Combined with the excellent modern visitor centre and museum above ground, the bunker tour is a powerful, evocative, and educational journey into one of the most critical chapters of Britain’s wartime defence. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a casual visitor, it’s an unforgettable experience.

Susan H.

Goodness this place is a gem! I’m not too far away but happened on it after a visit to the lido. £12 for the guided tour (there are lots of discounts too but I didn’t qualify for any). The tour itself was a mine of information not only about the Battle of Britain but the build up to the war and in particular the development of RADAR and communication systems.

The bunker is huge, 76 steps down (and back up). I highly recommend the tour as you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions. You can only imagine the state of nervous excitement, fear and energy when this place was in use.

After the tour you can look round the exhibits in the modern ground level hall which has a cafe shop and toilets. There are good facilities for younger visitors too.

The flags outside represent the nationalities of those who took part in the Battle of Britain.

Stephen S.

Great museum, really friendly, knowledgeable staff and a really great day out. This has to be one of the best WW2 sites/museums to visit in the UK; being the actual bunker were RAF Fighter Command was directed from. In 1940, the nerve centre of the world's first fully integrated air defence system. Neither Germany, Poland, Russia, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland or anyone else had anything so advanced.
A great tribute to whose who made it happen!

Samuel H.

Probably the most interesting museum i have ever visited! To sit in the place where one of the most important battles in British history was commanded from was an immense feeling. The interactive tote board was amazing and the tour guides were friendly and very knowledgeable.