I've wanted to go here for ages, and I wasn't disappointed. It's dark, full of asbestos and holes on the floor, and potentially about to be sealed.
A bit of history.
The ROTOR programme developed in three stages, ROTOR 1, 2 and 3 soon after the second world war and corresponded with the technological advancements made in radar detection ability. ROTOR buildings followed the same basic design that gave them the appearance of a normal house, usually a bungalow, although some had dormer windows.
Today the bungalow is ruined, the roof gone.
There are a number of buildings nearby on the cliff top. This is an air vent.
Farm animals often graze on the site. The area is now a haven for birds. Looking outside from within the bungalow.
Another interior of the bungalow.
A tiled fireplace in one of the rooms. Each of the rooms was fitted with steel shutters.
Bempton R3 ROTOR C.E.W station is was one of six 1 level bunkers, buried 30 feet under the ground. Of the six R3 bunkers, this is the only accessible one at present. There were two entrances, an emergency one with a ladder, now cut, and these concrete stairs.
Last view of the daylight
After a long passageway heading down, blast doors are present at either end of the main bunker.
Underground is stripped and badly burned out, with asbestos particles in the air. The main operation room is ruined. The cut off tubes from the ceilings look like remains of a nightclub. Diso Inferno.
The rooms were off long central corridors. Doors have gone, some covering holes in the floor. The torchbeam, flickering on this, was a surprise.
Within the plant room, pipes cast strange shadows on the charred walls.
Next to the filter room was a small room with these racks.
The bunker was decommisionned in 1972 and eventually in 1980/81 it was disposed of. Gone is all of the machinery and the teak floors that were once installed. In front of me was a long drop.
The military police were called to the site during the 1970's to evict a coven of witches who were part of a sex cult on the site. Explicit graffiti remains as evidence of this. Eagle eyed readers may just spot some.
At the other side of the main bunker is the other set of blast doors.
The main cyclone cooling fan.
Unknown fact. The set of Blake 7 was based on this picture.
The farmer is believed to be considering bulldozing the ruined bungalow into the entrance staircase to deter unwnated visitors.
Many people travel to the area for ornithological reasons. I was pleased to announce that I too had seen some Great Tits and other birds.
Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:14 pm by meanwood_monks
Subject: Bempton R3 ROTOR C.E.W Station April '09 18 snaps 
