Club Visit to Bletchley Park, the centre of Allied code-breaking during the Second World War.

15th February 2023.

We are grateful to Stephen Mayall for the following report and photographs, and organising the trip as well.

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Fifteen members and guests visited this very interesting and iconic part of British history, which was the centre of Allied code-breaking during the Second World War, and our comfortable travel by Arrowline minibus whisked us there in just over two hours.

Bletchley Park House and its grounds were chosen by the Government of the day because it had rail links from Oxford & Cambridge plus the Watling Street road link from London.  Ideally located for bringing in the great minds from universities and politicians and staff from London.

The task of penetrating enemy communications was incredibly difficult, so we needed to assemble the best minds of the day, after all, they were our greatest weapon in the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Our exclusive tour was led by a very knowledgeable and dapper guide called Michael (who looked like one of the “Blues Brothers”) giving us a great insight into the work and conditions during the war, but in a most entertaining manner which completely held our attention.

Bletchley operated under an official cloak of total secrecy and many of the personnel kept their work secret for the rest of their lives. Working conditions in both the mansion, built in the 1800’s, and the specially built “huts” was difficult, often cramped and cold. At its peak 8995 operatives (2237 men & 6758 women) worked around the clock to decrypt 13990 enemy messages per week.

Now, the whole complex is full of excellent displays and information of that time, leaving us with many thoughts of what it must have been like to work there.

In fact, there was so much to see that a second visit would be enjoyed just as much. Something a lot of us will be doing as our entrance tickets give us free access for 12 months, for as many visits as we want.

Now, where’s my diary……………..