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Cold War bunker with no water or power up for sale

Sarah Jones,West of Englandand
Christopher Mace,Bristol
David Plaister Ltd Interior of the bunker which has white walls a small wooden desk and two blue plastic chairs. At the near left side, there is a basic-looking stack of shelves which are brown and stained.David Plaister Ltd
The bunker is described as having a "range of potential uses" including as secure storage

A Cold War nuclear bunker with no running water, no mains electricity and just a "rudimentary" toilet is to go under the hammer in December.

The "self-contained" bunker, which is described as being "discreetly" embedded into a hillside on the outskirts of Bristol, has a guide price of £20,000.

It was built in the 1960s as an observation post for Royal Observer Corps (ROC) volunteers so they could measure blast waves and radioactive fallout in the event of a nuclear strike.

Ben Payne, from estate agents David Plaister, said: "I've had a lot of inquiries about doing some light refurbishment [to it] and turning it into a unique Airbnb. It would be one [heck]of a unique Airbnb experience."

David Plaister Ltd Interior of the bunker, showing the toilet. The walls are painted white and the floor is made of concrete. A yellow painted door is propped open to show a green metal chemical toilet. In the foreground, is a wooden handle and a blue nylon rope. To the right is another white painted door.David Plaister Ltd
The bunker, which includes bunkbeds and a chemical toilet, was designed to house up to three ROC volunteers

The bunker, near the village of Hallen, was one of about 1,500 built by the ROC across the country at the height of tensions with the former Soviet Union.

They were decommissioned in the 1990s after the threat of nuclear war reduced.

Described as a "highly unique listing", Mr Payne, said it was "certainly a first" for the agents.

"I've never seen anything like it in person, myself," he said.

"For something to be in the condition it is in and the location that it is in as well, is nothing I've ever seen before."

David Plaister Ltd A cuboid concrete top of a bunker. It has two concrete steps to the right hand side to allow someone to climb up to the hatch, which is on top and secured with chains. At the far side of this structure is a small metal chimney. The area immediately around the bunker has been cleared recently, as there is bracken on the floor.David Plaister Ltd
A large concrete box with steps is all that be seen of the bunker above ground

Situated on a ridge overlooking the Severn Estuary, the subterranean hideaway is accessed through a secure hatch and ladder.

Along with a main 128 sq ft (12 sq m) room and separate hallway and toilet, the underground pad also offers some of the original furniture including bunk beds for a crew of two or three and a small desk.

Mr Payne, said it was "definitely one for your history enthusiast" interested in making it into a "tiny museum".

"We send [potential buyers] down individually, so they can get a look at the space," he said.

"We've had a lot of interest, so far and we've got a number of block viewings yet to come."

The bunker, which was part of a neighbouring property, is being sold off separately by the owner.

It is due to be "sold as seen" at auction at Leigh Court in Bristol on 9 December.

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