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Inside World War Two bunker that's now a luxury £350-a-night holiday home

15 July 2023 , 23:52
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Inside World War Two bunker that's now a luxury £350-a-night holiday home
Inside World War Two bunker that's now a luxury £350-a-night holiday home

A WORLD War Two bunker has been given a new lease of life as a luxury holiday home which costs £350 a night.

The Grade II listed bunker in Dorset was once part of the RAF Ringstead radar station but has now been converted into a two-bedroom let with sea views.

The old World War Two bunker has been converted into a luxury holiday let qhiddeideuirprw
The old World War Two bunker has been converted into a luxury holiday letCredit: Sykes Cottages
The owners hope to convert similar structures in the area into holiday homes
The owners hope to convert similar structures in the area into holiday homesCredit: Alamy

There are now plans to convert similar structures in the area.

The revamped concrete structure, which was previously invisible from the outside, features a “blast opening” window.

The one-time transmitter bunker, near Ringstead, is just one of a number connected to the RAF site that have been left abandoned and overgrown for decades.

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Architect Jonny Plant told the BBC: "It was a derelict bunker, pretty much buried, very damp and very dark.

“We've stripped it all back, waterproofed it and insulated it.

"We had to create this opening to look out to the bay but, rather than putting a standard set of doors in, we thought we'd create this blast opening into the wall which plays into the story of it being a bunker.

"We had to retain that essence of the building, which presented a lot of architectural conundrums."

He revealed that work had already started on a second bunker, after planning permission was given last year.

Mr Plant added: "It's going to be much, much bigger - it's a different location, looking out across the bay but at a lower level."

The owners hope that by re-inhabiting the historic ruins, their history will be remembered and preserved.

The bunker was originally part of the RAF Ringstead radar station
The bunker was originally part of the RAF Ringstead radar stationCredit: Sykes Cottages
The bunker features a 'blast opening' window
The bunker features a 'blast opening' windowCredit: Sykes Cottages

Jon Rogers

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