Thursday, 10 August 2023, 8:00 AM
During World War II this large mansion near Milton Keynes, built in the 1880s for a wealthy financier with an eclectic taste in architectural styles, became the principal centre of Allied code–breaking. From 1938 it housed the Government Code and Cypher School, which regularly penetrated the secret communications of the Axis powers, most importantly the German Enigma and Lorenz cyphers. The codebreaking team and support staff, who eventually numbered many thousands, worked in total secrecy, and the nature of their work remained secret until many years after the war. Bletchley Park opened as a museum in 1993, and now visitors can learn about the extraordinary men and women who worked there through films, interactive displays and exhibitions, all set within beautifully restored historic buildings and faithfully recreated World War II rooms.
Our tour leaves Cheltenham earlier than usual (it will also be possible to board the coach at 7.40 am at Marchants depot, 100 Prestbury Road, or at Sixways at 8.15 am) to arrive at Bletchley at 10.20 am. We will have a private one–hour guided tour, leaving plenty of time to explore independently before we leave at 2.30 pm. For refreshments there are several food and drink options, and picnic benches in the park. There is step–free access to all buildings, wheelchairs can be borrowed and there are sound enhancement systems.
Members – please book using the Booking Form in your March Newsletter.