A nuclear fallout shelter with stunning views of the Lake District has sold for £48,000.
The Cold War bunker in Dent, Cumbria, was constructed in 1958 and was one of over 1,500 built by the Royal Observer Corps (ROC).
They were designed to protect ROC volunteers following a nuclear attack, allowing them to measure blast waves and radioactive fallout.
Built close to the railway station and eight miles from Kirkby Lonsdale, the bunker boasts spectacular views of the Lake District National Park.
The 40ft deep bunker, with a guide price between £15,000 to £20,000, was listed by SDL Property Auctions as a piece of post-war British history.
There is a descent of 12 metres (40ft) down a metal ladder to get inside the bunker (pictured)
Despite being so secluded, the bunker also boasts great transport links being right next to Dent railway station
But now it has sold for double the guide price after 65 different bidders fought for the property via internet, phone and proxy.
There were also around 25 people who viewed the property before it was auctioned.
Andrew Parker, managing director and auctioneer at SDL Property Auctions, said before it was sold: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to purchase a piece of post-war British history.
‘It is in excellent condition, redecorated, clean, dry and secure and comes with a plot of land with gate for access and secure off-road parking. It even comes with an active phone line suitable for broadband.
‘It’s a privilege to be able to sell a unique lot such as this and it follows SDL Property Auctions selling a similar nuclear bunker in Louth in 2022.
‘We’ve already received significant interest on this lot and we anticipate a high level of bidders and online viewers on auction day.’
One person who was considering buying the bunker, Barney Strange, told The Guardian: ‘I’m on the edge of a midlife crisis.
‘The idea of owning a nuclear bunker is surely every 14-year-old boy’s dream isn’t it? It is so secluded truly unique.
‘I know this is a cliche, but there is something about buying a piece of history.’
The property has no windows, running water and no mod cons except for a phone line.
Mr Parker said most of the bunkers designed by the ROC were decommissioned and sold off in 1993
The property has no windows, running water and no mod cons except for a phone line
But there is parking, stunning countryside and the shelter provides protection from any potential Armageddon scenarios.
Mr Parker said most of the bunkers designed by the ROC were decommissioned and sold off in 1993.
Many were bought by telecom companies so that they could be used to house mobile phone masts.
ROC nuclear war survivors were expected to report on the nuclear bursts and the fallout of a nuclear attack.
They were provided with enough food and water for 14 days and had a landline and radio communications available to them.
This bunker can also have broadband connected. There is a descent of 12 metres (40ft) down a metal ladder to get inside the bunker.
Despite being so secluded, the bunker also boasts great transport links being right next to Dent railway station, the highest mainline station in England.
There are around 258 bunkers left across the UK and most have been demolished with no trace left behind.
In 2003, bunkers in Flookburgh and Hawkshead were auctioned off.
The Flookburgh bunker was sold for £25,100 while the Hawkshead buker was told to a telecoms firm before being listed on the market again in 2004.
